GLENTORAN 3-1 BALLYMENA

The Glens overcame a disappointing Ballymena side very easily to move into the top six today at a sunny but windswept Oval. The visitors did not create as big a challenge as in last week’s Irish Cup game at the same venue and were easily brushed aside by a superior Glens side.

The game started with the home side facing into a stiff breeze. The early play centred mainly on Tim McCann with Darren Armour having a particularly good first half. McCann’s contribution over the past few weeks in particular has been outstanding and he continued that same form today, running at the defence and causing all sorts of problems.

The opening strike arrived on nine minutes courtesy of mid-fielder Paul Leeman. He finished off a move initiated by Andy Smith, smashing the ball home from 15 yards to give visiting Keeper Robinson no chance. Previous games against the Braidmen have produced plenty of goals for both sides and it was important for the team to increase their lead.

However it was visitors who struck next on 14 minutes. A break on the left resulted in a fine cross from the unmarked Campbell being converted from close range by Nigel Jemson.

With the strong wind at their backs and the rain starting to fall it was the visitors who took the game to their hosts and were unfortunate not to go ahead as Jemson smashed a fine free kick just wide of the post. Leeman picked up a booking for the foul leading to the free kick award.

The Glens restored their advantage on 22 minutes with another strike from Darren Armour. Gary Smyth won an aerial duel with Nigel Jemson and as the English Striker remonstrated with the Referee demanding a free kick the ball was played forward by Paul Leeman for Armour to pounce and smash the ball wide of a despairing Robinson in the Ballymena goal.

With conditions making play difficult there were few clear openings but on 35 minutes a great cross from the right was met by Armour, whose fierce volley was punched away for a corner. Shortly before half time the Glens had a gilt edged opportunity to seal the game as Keegan ran through on goal. As the Keeper closed him down he elected to shoot instead of rolling the ball to the unmarked Andy Smith.

Right on the whistle the Glens were fuming as Referee Penny turned down clear penalty appeals as Keegan was sent sprawling in the box by Keeper Robinson.

The second period was completely dominated by the Glens with Ballymena being penned into their own half for long periods. There were quite a few chances for the Glens to increase their lead. Andy Smith had an over-head kick flash wide; McCallion hit the cross-bar direct from a corner kick and amazingly Darren Armour missed a gaping open goal from two yards after clever play by Andy Smith had left him clear.

However the third and insurance goal arrived on 64 minutes and again it was the mercurial Paul Leeman who supplied the goods. Clever inter play between strikers Smith and Armour left Leeper with an opening 10 yards out and he delivered with a cool finish into the far corner.

McCallion and Armour were replaced by O’Neill and Halliday as the Glens went through the motions in the final 15 minutes. Indeed the result had never really been in any doubt after Armour’s strike in the first half to put the Glens 2-1 up.

Walker however was the second Glens player to be cautioned by the Referee for a foul on Scates on the near touchline. This victory, added to the previous good run of results, has taken the team into the top six in the table. Continued form such as this will surely see the Glens climb further.