Saturday 2nd November
Kick Off 3pm
Another big and exciting game in prospect this Saturday as Larne visit the Bet McLean Oval in match 15 of this season’s Sports Direct Premiership.
Despite having several games in hand on all the teams above them and the understandable distraction of Group Stage European games, there is no doubt that back-to-back Champions Larne will be deeply disappointed with their league performance so far.
Currently in ninth place - eleven points behind leaders Linfield - their three defeats from the opening ten games is already more than they suffered in the entire 23/24 campaign. They also picked up only one point from the three league games played in October and were heavily beaten at home by Dungannon Swifts.
Larne will perhaps take solace in their next opponent being Glentoran - having won the last nine games in a row in all competitions against us - but will also not recall fondly the last defeat they suffered at the Oval. In late October 2022, the Glens turned on the style under the Oval floodlights to resoundingly defeat the future champions 4-0, thanks to a brace from Conor McMenamin and second half goals from Jay Donnelly and Danny Purkis. In last season’s Oval league meetings, Larne emerged as 2-1 winners both times; second half Micheál Glynn and Andy Ryan goals proving enough in August '23 and a desperately unlucky Johnny Russell own goal deep into stoppage time back in April proving decisive in a game that all but sealed the title for the Inver men. Ryan in particular will offer the main threat, having scored in five of the last six games between the sides.
Full Back Tomas Cosgrove missed Sunday’s defeat at Portadown after picking up an injury in the previous game against Shamrock Rovers, as did midfielder Joe Thomson. The influential Leroy Millar and ex Cliftonville defender Aaron Donnelly have missed most of the season to date due to injury. They will still be able to field a very strong team and bench, however, with former Glentoran forwards Paul O’Neill and Matty Lusty vying for a starting spot and another former Glentoran player, midfielder Chris Gallagher, competing with former Wimbledon midfielder George Marsh for a spot alongside Mark Randall and Jordan McEneff.
Declan Devine: “After our good run the last couple of results were very disappointing simply because they were so avoidable. In both games we were ahead and firmly in control but instead of finishing the games off we let ourselves down in front of goal both weeks.
"I thought the turning point at Coleraine last week was when Moko had to go off. He was playing superbly and Matthew Shevlin had been no threat because of Moko. Also Paddy was doing very well at right back and we looked very comfortable in defence. Moko has had no luck with injuries this season but last week his quality and leadership were so obvious, both before and after he went off.
"I can’t emphasise strongly enough how much we missed James Singleton at Coleraine. He is a big, big personality and a massive driving force for us both on the pitch and in the changing room. His intensity and determination show through no matter where we have to play him. We’re hopeful he’ll be okay for Saturday's game.
"The big disappointment of the past two matches was that after great first half performances we didn’t start the second half with the same intensity and didn’t get the second goal that would have killed it off. We know we can do that after how we approached the second half against Linfield.
"This is a very competitive league right now and we’re one of the teams competing. I’m very pleased with the attitude and performances of most of the squad and we’ve seen some of the newer lads – the two Dans, Frankie, Dylan and more recently Finley – have settled well into a new league and made themselves very popular here in the process. We need to strengthen a number of positions in the January window and we’re working hard on that. But the squad here now is good enough to keep us well in contention until then.
"For Saturday's game as well as Singo, I’m hopeful Aaron Wightman will be available if we need him after he had a very good runout for the Seconds last week against Linfield Swifts. Also we’re hoping Jonny Russell will get good news next week that will allow him to get back to training. These two lads have been very unlucky to miss so much football in the past while but they are great assets and I’m looking forward to having them available."
Remaining tickets for this game can be purchased HERE.
IMPORTANT SUPPORTER NOTICES
- The Board of Directors remind supporters that under no circumstance is anyone permitted to bring flares, fireworks or any other sort of pyrotechnic equipment into the Bet McLean Oval at any time. These are highly dangerous to other supporters and potentially to players. Any breach of this rule will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Persons breaking this rule will receive a lifetime ban from the Bet McLean Oval and will be reported to the police.
- We strongly request that supporters respect the rights of the local residents by parking well away from housefronts in the immediate locality. There is plenty of available parking at the Holywood Arches Heath Centre.
- The Railway Stand will unfortunately be closed for this game due to some essential maintenance work currently being undertaken by the club with the support of NIFL.
MATCH SPONSOR: MERKOSOL
