A disappointing afternoon at the Bet McLean Oval saw the Glens lose to a spirited and well organised away side. A game ultimately decided by a contrasting sense of clinical edge, but a contentious refereeing decision also had a major part to play in the final outcome. Declan Devine opted for what it is becoming a familiar first XI for league games. Jordan Jenkins moved to the bench after his excellent County Antrim Shield performance in the week to be replaced by David Fisher. Daniel Gyollai also stepped back between the sticks in place of Danny Mills.
By any metric or standard, Portadown bossed the first half. Right from the start, the away side set the tempo – an excellent team build up in the first minute producing an excellent opportunity. Gyollai would smother the ball - becoming the first Glentoran player of the afternoon to touch the ball – but it set an ominous early standard for how the half would unfold.
Chances continued to come and go for the away side in the first twenty minutes; a defensive mistake from the home side ensured a glorious chance for Josh Ukek, with Daniel Gyollai – not for the only time – coming to the rescue with a good stop. Baris Altintop was also presented a free header at the back post shortly after, with our No. 1 continuing to deny the away side. Even the crossbar ensured the Glens stayed in the game, with Eamon Fyfe cursing his luck.
The first half would continue to be a challenge for the Glens, as an enforced substitution just after the half hour saw influential playmaker Finley Thorndike replaced by James Douglas. This looked to be an injury concern, and we wish our No. 77 well in any necessary recovery. However, Daniel Gyollai attempted to force the issue by going Route 1 shortly before the break to place Jay Donnelly through on goal. He was unlucky to see his shot scrambled off the line in a rare moment of attacking intent from the home side.
The men in red certainly had produced several options on the food for thought menu as the home side went down the tunnel for the break.
Half Time: Glentoran 0 Portadown 0
The home side started the second half with much more urgency – with Aaron Wightman symbolising the new endeavour by winning his individual strength battle with Josh Ulek to force the first corner of the half.
However, ultimately Portadown continued to look the most likely to open the scoring. A rare defensive mistake from Frankie Hvid ten minutes into the half prompted an excellent counter-attacking move orchestrated by ex-Glenman Shay McCartan. Once again, Daniel Gyollai needed to produce an outstanding save to keep the scores level.
Glentoran would again need an enforced substitution just after the hour as Cammy Palmer also appeared to pull up with injury. Jordan Jenkins would replace him as the home faithful showed their appreciation for Palmer. They would also have noted that two influential playmakers were no longer able to force the issue on the turf. Jay Donnelly would move into a midfield role, with JJ up top.
The game began to hot up in the final ten minutes, perhaps understandably so as both teams have been associated with late goals in the recent past. In what looked like the chance of the game, Ahu Obhakhan went clear on goal for the away side - but only managed to tamely chip the ball over the crossbar with Daniel Gyollai to beat.
And just as home fans were finished breathing a sigh of relief, the moment of the match arrived – which will no doubt be continually debated by supporters in the coming days.
Shay McCartan initially produced a fantastic moment of individual skill to dance into the box, but Glens supporters will have merit in the claim that he feigned contact with Fuad Sule and went down very easily. Indeed, many home supporters were initially under the impression McCartan was being sanctioned for his actions before discovering the referee had actually awarded a penalty to the away side.
The debate will no doubt continue. However one interprets the situation, Shay McCartan coolly slotted the penalty to put the away side in the lead with just eight minutes to play.
Chances would come and go for the home side in an attempt to force an equaliser. JJ headed tamely at McCarey after an inviting cross from Danny Amos. Dylan Connolly also forced a good save from Aaron McCarey from point blank range deep into stoppage time.
However, ultimately it would be the away side who would seize upon the frantically open final minutes to secure a second with the last kick of the game. A defensive mistake allowed Ben Wylie the freedom of the Oval to pick out Ryan Mayse to slot under Ben Gyollai from six yards. The final whistle followed immediately afterwards.
A disappointing afternoon for the home side after two strong performances that were beginning to reignite momentum in the season. Next Friday offers an important opportunity to make amends as Linfield come to the Bet McLean Oval in the league.
Glentoran:Gyollai, Wightman, Amos, Hvid, Kane (c), Sule, Palmer (Jenkins 65), Thorndike (Douglas 32), Connolly, Donnelly and Fisher (Wassim 82)
Subs (Not used): Mills, Murphy, Lindsay, Lyons-Foster.
Photography by PACEMAKER