Friday 19th August 2022
Kick Off 7.45pm
Tomorrow night we have our first home game of the new season when we welcome Crusaders to the Bet McLean Oval.
Crusaders got their league campaign off to an impressive start last weekend, overpowering Dungannon Swifts 5-1 at Seaview. In addition to a Brendan Barr own goal, there were two familiar names on the scoresheet: winger Paul Heatley and attacking midfielder Ben Kennedy grabbing a brace apiece.
It has been a relatively quiet summer on the transfer front at Seaview, with just four arrivals and eight departures. Manager Stephen Baxter has brought in Dublin born Striker Dean Ebbe from Welsh Champions TNS and former Kilmarnock left back Rory McKeown (most recently plying his trade in New Zealand), while the most notable departure is that of our new Centre Back Aiden Wilson. Both Ebbe and McKeown had to settle for places on the bench as the Crues’ starting eleven against Dungannon took on a familiar look, albeit with all-time goal scorer Jordan Owens and midfielder Jordan Forsythe not in the squad and big names like Adam Leckey, Robbie Weir, Josh Robinson and Johnny McMurray having to settle for places on the substitutes bench.
Having won both league fixtures against Crusaders (1-0 and 2-0) at the Oval in the 20/21 season, and ended our decade long unbeaten run at Seaview with two league victories there last season, sadly our home form against the Hatchetmen reverted to a more familiar feel in 21/22, with 2 resounding wins for Baxter’s side: 3-0 in September 2021 and then bettering that score with a 4-0 win in April of this year. Having impressed on his league debut against Larne, new signing Wilson - scorer of the third Crusaders goal in the September fixture- will be hoping to get the better of his former side.
Mick McDermott: “It’s great to get back to the Bet McLean Oval for the first time this new season.
Last week’s game at Larne wasn’t a great footballing spectacle by any stretch of the imagination. It had effort and commitment from both sides, but I felt it looked like exactly what it was - a first game of a new season with both teams wanting to win but also not wanting to lose. It was an edgy game of few chances but if we had taken our chance early in the second half we could have been heading home with three points. I was very pleased with how Aidan and James performed in their first start, and it was good to get Ally Roy a run to get his first experience of a new league. Also we had the opportunity to see Ciaran O’Connor in a competitive environment for the first time since his injury last October.
First home game of season is always exciting - for players and fans alike. We look forward to another great Friday night crowd at the Bet McLean Oval. The travelling fans were great at Inver Park, and we all look forward to hearing them tomorrow night.
Crusaders are coming off a positive few months: Irish Cup success, European run; Charity Shield victory and a thumping win over Dungannon last week. We know we will have a tough encounter at the Oval tonight.
Paddy is now back from suspension, the squad is relatively healthy, and we look forward to getting started in front of our home crowd.”
For those unable to attend, this match will be shown live on the BBC iPlayer.
Before kick-off at tomorrow evening’s match we will be observing a minute’s silence for two outstanding club servants who passed away during the close season.
John Crossen was Chairman for much of our incredible run of Irish Cup victories in the 1980s. He was Vice Chairman for our undefeated League Championship win under Ronnie McFall in 1980-81 season. John also served as President of the Irish League.
Bertie Wright passed in June at the age of 102. Bertie played for Glentoran from 1941 to 1949, playing 214 games for the club and scoring 47 goals. Bertie remained a Glenman for all his days and was the club’s guest at the 2020 Irish Cup Final. Members of Bertie’s family are here today to pay tribute..
Match Sponsor
Friday’s match sponsor is Woodstock Motorparts, the no.1 motor factor in East Belfast.
Located in Ravenhill Business Park on the Ravenhill Road, Woodstock Motorparts is your first choice for replacement parts, oils, accessories and valeting products for every car.
Full contact details are:
Unit 8,
Ravenhill Business Park,
Belfast, BT6 8AW.
Telephone: 028 9045 5576
email: sales@woodstockmotor.co.uk
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