Tuesday 6th December
Kick Off 7.45pm
Bet McLean Cup Semi Final
Tomorrow evening we have our third Big Two game in six weeks when Linfield come to the Bet McLean Oval for the semi-final of this year’s Bet McLean Cup.
This will be the first time either side have faced Premiership opposition in this season’s competition. Linfield knocked out Premier Intermediate League side Moyola Park in the first round back in September before defeating Championship sides Dundela and Annagh United 1-0 and 3-0 respectively to reach the Semi-Final stage. Our own route to the final were home wins over Institute (7-0), Warrenpoint Town (6-0) and a hard fought 2-0 away Quarter-Final away to Loughgall.
Despite being the most successful sides in the history of the League Cup and having contested several finals against one another in the late 1990’s and early 00’s, Linfield (ten times winners) have only won the competition once in the last fifteen years and Glentoran (seven time winners) have not featured in a Final since March 2010; when a penalty shootout win over Coleraine secured a the trophy after a thrilling 2-2 draw after extra time.
The Big Two have already met twice this season, with the Glens enjoying a comprehensive 3-0 win in the Danske Bank Premiership in October but suffering a 1-2 defeat three weeks ago in the County Antrim Shield Semi-Final. Both games were at the National Stadium at Windsor Park, so this is the Blues’ first visit to the Oval this season. The Blues travel east tomorrow on the back of a ten-game unbeaten run in all competitions with eight wins and two draws in that run. So no better time for the Glens to return to early season form to both reach the Final and also regain momentum ahead of the festive run of fixtures.
The winner of tomorrow night’s tie will face either Cliftonville or Coleraine, who are contesting the other semi-final at Solitude.
Tickets are still available for this game at www.glentoran.com/tickets
For those who can’t make it tomorrow evening the Northern Ireland Football League will stream the game exclusively live on the NIFL YouTube channel.
Coverage starts from 7.30pm, with commentary by Michael Clarke accompanied by our former skipper Paul Leeman.
