Glentoran host Warrenpoint Town at the Oval tomorrow as they look to end a run of three straight league defeats.
Following consecutive setbacks at the hands of rivals Linfield and Dungannon Swifts, the East Belfast side’s latest defeat came last week as they threw away a two goal lead to lose against reigning champions Crusaders.
The Glens were also reduced to 10 men as the current league leaders fought back to claim a 4-2 win, extending their Premiership unbeaten streak between the sides at Seaview to nine.
However, Alan Kernaghan and his men will be buoyed by Tuesday night’s much needed 4-1 Irish Cup fifth round win to Ards. January transfer signing, Chris Lavery, capped his home debut with a thrilling hat-trick, while Jay Magee claimed the other to ease into a sixth round meeting with Glenavon next month.
Kernaghan will be hoping to carry this momentum into tomorrow’s game against basement club Warrenpoint Town. Despite their league position, the clash will by no means be straightforward as Barry Gray’s side have hit a good run of form at the right time. The Point are unbeaten in their last five Premiership games, including successive wins against Coleraine and Portadown.
However, The Glens will be confident of their chances as they can complete a hat-trick of wins against tomorrow’s opponents, having emerged victorious in the previous two Premiership bouts between the pair this campaign.
The latest victory came in October last year as substitute Jim O’Hanlon snatched a late winner to condemn the Point to a seventh defeat in their previous eight league meetings against Glentoran.
Ahead of the game, the hosts welcome back defender Jonny Addis and midfielder Ciaran Caldwell. Both players missed Tuesday night’s win through suspension as Addis was ruled out for picking up five yellow cards, while Caldwell served a one match ban following his red card against Crusaders last Saturday.
Elliott Morris and Curtis Allen, both of whom missed the Tennents Irish Cup tie in midweek with back injuries, should both be back in the squad. Should Morris play it will be his 599th appearance for Glentoran. Danny McKee is in line to make his 50th appearance. Marcus Kane may also return having missed the Ards game with flu.
Nathan Webb