Dungannon Swifts v Glentoran
Saturday 15th April, 3pm
On Saturday afternoon, we travel to Stangmore Park for what is the absolute definition of a must win match.
Swifts are currently one point and 2 places above us in the chase for the final place in the Europa League play offs next month. As Swifts have a substantially better goal difference than Glentoran then it’s fair to say that nothing but an away win will be of any real benefit to the Glens.
We are unbeaten in our three previous matches with Dungannon this season and have lost only once in our last 12 meetings. The season started with a 1-0 home win on the opening day through a late winner from Ciaran Caldwell. Then in October, Gary Haveron had his first win as Glentoran manager with a 1-0 away win. On that occasion, we again left it late through a last-minute Jonathan Smith penalty after Bobo himself had been brought down by Swifts ‘keeper Andy Coleman.
Our last meeting, at the Oval on New Year’s Eve, epitomised so much of what has gone wrong this season as the Glens – in a comfortable position through first half goals from Curtis Allen and James Ferrin – capitulated to 2 relatively simple second half goals from Andrew Mitchell to share the points 2-2.
Manager Gary Haveron said: “Last Saturday at Ballinamallard simply wasn't good enough. They didn’t have to work hard to get any of their 3 goals. I’m not taking anything away from them but we gifted them the goals. That meant they then had something to hang onto and deservedly they did.
Added to the fact that Tiernan McAuley picked up what looks like a serious knee injury then it looks like a case of what could have gone wrong did ...after what was a promising start to the game for us.
If we fail to do the basics of defending then we don't deserve anything from games. I had an honest conversation in the dressing room after the game and anybody that wasn't hurting or embarrassed by the result last Saturday doesn't deserve to be at a club like Glentoran.
But with the way results went at least we are in no worse or better position and everything now turns to the game against Dungannon this Saturday. We know what we need to do, and I'm as determined as ever to make sure we come away with the right result. I'm well aware we don't make it easy for ourselves but please come out and show your support as always down at Dungannon. We’ll do everything we can to make sure it will be a much better trip home than last weekend.
Enjoy the game”.