Glentoran have made a steady start to the season in terms of performances but for the first two months of the season not getting the results deserved. In a tight league campaign a little bit of momentum can make all the difference and that is what Glentoran possess now. Three wins in a row in all competitions- two of which coming in the Danske Bank NIFL mean Glentoran have climbed the table back into the title hunt. As things stand after one full round of games each, 7 teams are within 4 points of current pace setters Portadown and Linfield. Glentoran are one of those four behind currently in a tie for 6th position.
Glentoran's much needed victory of Dungannon Swifts at the end of September was only the club's second victory since 16th August and since then our first away win of the season came at Mourneview Park last week 2-1 against Glenavon with Jordan Stewart and David Scullion grabbing the goals. Despite a number of draws it actually means Glentoran are unbeaten in six league games and eight games in all competitions. Tuesday night saw probably our performance of the season thus far inflicting further pain at Glenavon at Mourneview running out comfortable 5-1 winners in the League Cup. Fra McCaffery was the star with a hattrick with Curtis Allen and Jordan Stewart scoring the other two.
With the good form of recent Glentoran will be full of confidence as we face Crusaders at The Oval this weekend. The Crues have been tipped by a number of leading pundits as the favourites for the title this year with Linfield in transition and Cliftonville not quite firing on the same cylinders as in previous years. The Crues are currently 3rd, two points ahead of Glentoran. The Crues had an eight game unbeaten run halted by Cliftonville last Saturday with Joe Gormley scoring a vital winner at Seaview. Undoubtedly Eddie Patterson and his staff would have been at Seaview last Monday night to witness Crusaders play Linfield in what was a fantastic game finishing 2-2.
Crusaders will look to star player Paul Heatley to inspire them and youngster Gavin Whyte has been putting many Irish League sides to the sword already this campaign. Ex-Glentoran legend Paul Leeman will not be available to face his old team as he continues rehabilitation from a severe shoulder injury suffering in the opening stages of the campaign. Testimonial player Chris Morrow will also miss out after suffering a severe injury against Linfield.
For Glentoran Jay Magee's broken rib is set to keep him out whilst Calum Birney also may not start having pulled out of last week's game through injury. Glentoran may field a similar team to the last couple of fixtures with Stewart, McCaffery and Scullion supporting Curtis Allen up front.
Please note tomorrow's game is a 2PM KICK OFF due to UEFA rulings on time between a domestic and international fixture. Northern Ireland face Faroe Islands at Windsor Park at 7.45pm on Saturday evening.