NIWFA League Cup final.
Glentoran BU 3 v 0 Linfield (highlights and interview on UTV Sport site HERE )
It's been 7 long years since Ards last competed at the top level of Irish League football and on Tuesday night they face Glentoran at the Oval following their first victory in the Danske Bank Premiership; a 2-0 win over Ballymena United last Friday night. That victory lifted Ards off the foot of the table where they were surprisingly replaced by Linfield. Glentoran's draw at Windsor Park on Saturday ensured that the 'Blues' occupied the bottom spot over the weekend although they will be favourites to beat the side just above them, Warrenpoint Town tomorrow night.
It was honours even at Windsor Park this afternoon in a game of few chances and with both sides finishing with ten men. The tone was set for a niggly game when referee Arnold Hunter issued the first yellow card of the afternoon to Mark Clarke after just six minutes.
Tomorrow sees the first 'Big Two' fixture of the season and Glentoran manager, Eddie Patterson, will be hoping that his team maintain their unbeaten start to the season. Our cross town rivals haven't had the best of starts as they try to wrestle back the Gibson Cup from Cliftonville but, as has been proven many times, form goes out the window in these fixtures.
The signing of striker Aaron Boyd last week was completed with the help of the Glentoran Community Trust.
Glentoran have been drawn at home to Linfield in the 3rd round of the League Cup on 8th October. The full draw is:
Glentoran v Linfield
Cliftonville v Dundela
Crusaders v Coleraine
Ballymena United v Ballinamallard United
Bangor v Lurgan Celtic
Portadown v Lisburn Distillery
Dungannon Swifts v Ards
Glenavon v Institute
To all supporters,
I wanted to take this opportunity to send this message to make sure that all supporters' clubs are brought up to speed with the intentions for a new 'amalgamation' of Glentoran supporters' clubs and supporters (who are not members of a club) for the incoming season.
