Glens off to a Flyer!!
The mini Glens began their league campaign with a local derby clash against Dungoyne Boys.
The Glens got out of the traps quickly and immediately took the game to Dungoyne with an early period of sustained pressure. Dungoyne battled bravely against the wind, but could only keep the Glens at bay until the 8th minute when Liverpool ace Barry Baggley slotted home to open the Glens account.
Captain Baz doubled his account in the 12th minute which helped to ease the early season nerves of the team, coaches, and parents!
With academy director Dave Harbinson looking on, it was IFA search for a star finalist Brandon Lindsay's turn to impress on 18 minutes when he extended the lead to 3.
Blake Bickerstaff, fresh from a trip to the hairdressers and sporting a firey red strip across his hair, weighed in with a long range strike with 22 mins on the clock.
Owen Phillips raced clear just before the break and calmly stroked the ball passed the advancing keeper to ensure the Glens went in at half time with a comfortable lead.
Half Time Glentoran 5 - 0 Dungoyne.
The boys were informed during the interval of the importance of keeping the work rate up, and keeping the ball moving on the deck to counter the wind advantage Dungoyne would now enjoy in the 2nd half. And to their credit, they did just that, actually looking even more impressive in the 2nd period than the 1st.
By this stage the fight had all but left Dungoyne, and a 6th goal soon followed through our very own English accented Harry Ockwell, who drove the ball home from a narrow angle on 38 minutes.
Dungoyne snatched a consolation goal 2 minutes later when they caught the Glens back four napping, the striker broke free of the Glens defence and forced 2 great saves from Ruari Gallagher in quick succession, before being allowed to tap the rebound into the empty net, with the Glens defenders knowing that they should really have followed in and mopped up the rebound.
The floodgates opened though in the final 17 minutes of the game with the wee Glens adding four more to their tally for the day.
Donal Cullen was bustled over in the box to win a penalty kick, which he duly despatched into the net with incredible ease, deadly finisher Owen Phillips made it 8, leaving left wing sensation Brandon Lindsay who had teased the Dungoyne defence all morning to complete his brace and bring the score to an impressive 9 goals to 1 in the Glens favour.
But the mini Glens werent finished just yet! There was still time for goalkeeper Ruari Gallagher to grab the headlines during his 10 minute spell in centre midfield. The opportunistic Ruari controlled a loose ball on the edge of the Dungoyne box, beat 1 man, and then found the bottom left hand corner of the net with a lovely left footed finish.
Special mention must go to young Cian Gantley who's superb display at left back, a position unfamiliar to him, won him the man of the match award! Cian was a very dangerous threat throughout the game with invading runs down the line, and providing overlapping support to Brandon Lindsay, a great partnership is forming between the two who seemed to be on a good understanding for the majority of the game!
A great start indeed for the boys in Red, Green and Black who now sit proudly at the top of the George Best League, and left the pitch to an ovation from their proud parents!
Roll on next week for what should be a very tough encounter with the much fancied Lisburn Youth!
Full Time - Glentoran 10 v 1 Dungoyne.
