A very young Glentoran team was unfortunate to lose to last season’s League Champions at Seaview, with a hat trick from the experienced Mikhael Kennedy the difference between the sides.
In the first half the Glens boys started on the front foot and took the lead on three mins. George Feeney broke clear and rounded the keeper to finish in style. Crusaders then fought back and equalised through Kennedy on twenty mins. It remained that way until the break/
The second half was a much more open game as both teams attacked at every opportunity. The young glens went 2-1 up on 51 mins when Cillian McCann latched on to a ball just inside the box and finished with a great strike through a crowd of defenders. Unfortunately the lead was short lived as crusaders broke early and Kennedy scored to make 2-2 only a minute later.
Crusaders scored two more goals on 72rd and 80th minutes through Bradley Maguire and Kennedy. But the Glens didn’t stop working and made it 4-3 on the final whistle when George Feeney added to his tally with a strike from inside box.
Overall a very encouraging performance and also a learning experience for the Wee Glens.
Glentoran Seconds: Lorcan Donnelly, Barry McKervey, Ross Boyd, Odhran Bell (captain), Dylan Hayes, Callan Farley, Cillian McCann, Cole Killops, John Paul Lagan, Jude Johnson, George Feeney.
Subs: Killian McCandless (for Johnson 73), Marcus Fitzsimons (for McCann 68), Jack Watson (for McKervey 68), Ryan Bailie (for Phillips 68), Colm McKee (for Lagan 68)