Starting out to try and make a name for oneself

Shock as Patterson leaves Glens

In dramatic events which unfolded overnight, Glentoran manager Eddie Patterson has left the East Belfast club. Patterson refused to comment as he drove away from The Oval this evening which has left many fans wondering would happen next.

Chairman Aubry Ralph addressed the media however:

"It is with much regret that Glentoran and Head Coach Eddie Patterson have issued a parting of the ways. Eddie has done a great job in what have been difficult times for us all, but we feel a new change in direction is needed to take the Club forward.

The Club have made great strides under Eddie, qualifying for the Europa League thanks to our fantastic Irish FA Cup win last season but this is a decision we have not taken lightly. The Board feel that under Eddie we have achieved what we set out to be but with Europe on the forthcoming agenda: the team needs to have a manager that is more equipped for the task ahead.

Until a new manager is appointed, Director Of Football Roy Coyle and Club Captain Elliott Morris will look after team affairs. There will be no further comment until then."

Supporters appear perplexed by the decision.

Peter Baxter, who helps on the social media side, said: "I'm baffled. Why would we get rid of a manager who has just won us our first piece of silverware in three seasons? Eddie Patterson was doing a great job, this is a very strange decision."

Lifelong fan Peter Murdock from Lisburn tweeted: "Can't understand why @Glentoran have changed manager again. This is not good news."

Early favourites include a possible shock return to The Oval for former manager Scott Young, and also rumoured to be a candidate include a player-manager role for Colin "Nicky" Nixon who recently joined Bangor after a record 793 appearances for "The Glens"

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It's good to see you back in the careers section after a long absence, but...


Bangor City are Welsh. 'Nicky' signed for Bangor, my boys who play in Championship One.

Sorry I'm getting back into this story lark after such a long absence.

Thanks for the heads-up.

In a complete surprise that has shocked Northern Irish Football, Glentoran have appointed 41 year old Mark Duell as the successor to Eddie Patterson who left the East Belfast club yesterday. Duell joins the Glens on a rolling 12 month contract.and one of his first tasks is stop the recent domination of David Jeffrey and Linfield.

Chairman Aubry Ralph is in little doubt that the Glens have unearthed a managerial gem:

"When we parted company with Eddie (Patterson) yesterday, I left you wondering whom we could bring in. In reality I already knew the man that I wanted to lead us in the new season. Mark is that man, a young and hungry coach who just exudes passion for football.

He has recently passed his UEFA "A" Licence and is one of the most sought coaches in the game these days. We are so honoured that he wants to begin his managerial career here at The Oval. I am sure that he will deliver success to the Club, and prove to everyone that this decision is no flash in the pan."

The newly appointed chief clearly believes he is the man too:

"What a place to start my managerial career, at one of Northern Ireland's most famous club sides. Having watched a fair share of Glens games in the past I think I am more than equipped for the task in hand. Make no bones about it, Linfield and Mr Jeffrey are going to find out that Glentoran are on their way back. I am determined to put the smiles back on this Club's fans faces, and promise you this: there will be silverware in that trophy cabinet come May next year.

I would like to thank Mr Ralph for giving me this chance, I will not disappoint you."

The new man certainly sounds like he can talk the talk but can he deliver as he so confidently says? His first test comes in 48 hours when Glentoran host Levadia Tallinn at The Oval in the second leg of their Europa League First Round Qualifier having drawn 1-1 in Estonia 5 days ago.

Eddie Patterson's replacement at Glentoran has been announced, and it's not a familiar face. The East Belfast side have plumped for 41 year old unknown Mark Duell as the man to succeed the former Cliftonville manager, and he can't wait to get stuck in.

Graham Luney, Belfast Telegraph: "So here we are Mark, welcome to The Oval as Glentoran's new manager. How does this feel?"

Mark Duell: "Quite surreal really. Yesterday I was taking calls about people's broadband and now today I'm sitting here as Glentoran boss. I can't believe this is really happening. Someone pinch me and wake me up!"

GL: "What do we know about you? Give us a background."

MD: "Football is in my blood that I can assure you. I played at a Sunday League standard for a few clubs in England, but never was good enough to make it as a professional sadly mainly due to a serious knee injury which curtailed my progress when I was just 17. But football is what I breathe for, and I have always wanted to get into management and coaching after passing my UEFA "A" Licence last year."

GL: "Did you have a club you followed as a youngster growing up?"

MD: "I am a passionate Sunderland and Celtic supporter despite being brought up in Hartlepool; so I guess I am a fan of those two sides plus Hartlepool United too. They are the teams I always have in my heart, and will do until the day I die."

GL: "With that in mind, do you know much about Glentoran?"

MD: "To be honest I do; which might actually surprise you. I have been to Belfast many times as an avid ice hockey fan and one day I also took in a Glens game as something to do before hockey. I loved the passion then so I kinda adopted the team from afar and am fully knowledgeable about the "Big Two" games against Linfield. You could go on and say this is a dream ticket then."

GL: "That's very interesting. Do you have any set goals?"

MD: "To win the league! And to stop Linfield's dominance...that's all!"

So I became the new manager of Glentoran, and what a task I had in front of in front of me. I knew full well that the task was going to be huge, and it got much more intense when I discovered my transfer budget. The board advised me there was nothing in the kitty to spend on players but I might be able to spend any transfer fees I recoup. Therefore it was a case of trawling through the free transfers and loan markets to bolster what looked a squad short of a few players.

Both my assistant Stephen Lowry and Director of Football Roy Coyle told me that the club needed a couple of strikers as apart from Aaron Boyd and Mark Miskimmin, only youngster Jordan Stewart (whom I was told is predominantly a winger) and the ever versatile Jonny Addis, we were seriously lacking in that position. Every other position was more than adequately covered. However finding someone on a free or on loan for a club that is playing at a standard which is on par with Skrill Premier (Level 5 in the English League structure) would prove to be a real test of my abilities

I also got introduced to the majority of the players that would be under my tutelage, and one decision was made easy for me - whom I would have as my captain for the season ahead. Elliott Morris had been a capable alternative to Colin "Nicky" Nixon last season and he just exuded confidence when I met him. Therefore it was an absolute no brainer to hand him the armband again,.Jimmy Callacher also impressed me with his demeanour too, so I appointed him as Elliott's deputy.

Club Captain Elliott Morris

The hard work started now, with a Europa League qualifier just 48 hours away. Have I made the right decision?

A last minute goal from substitute Mark Clarke was enough to see Glentoran through the second qualifying round of the Europa League in new head coach Mark Duell's first game in the dugout. The midfielder struck with extra time looming and see the East Belfast side advance at the expense of their Estonian opponents who played 64 minutes of the second leg short after defensive midfielder Dimitri Lepistu was red carded.

With the tie evenly posed at 1-1 after the first leg in Tallinn a week ago, Levadia took the lead on 11 minutes. A ball over the top of the Glentoran defence was pounced on by Igor Tsernei and he hammered an unstoppable shot past Elliott Morris to gave the visitors an early advantage. However, on 26 minutes they were reduced to ten men when Lepistu was shown a straight red card from referee Mr Gautier for a late challenge on Mark Miskimmin.

Four minutes later, Glens levelled. A David Scullion corner was not dealt with properly by Levadia and winger Jim O'Hanlon rifled the loose ball into the net. Chances came and went, and as the fourth official looked set to show the amount of added on time, Glentoran got a winner. A swift counter attack saw the ball switch out to Clarke, unmarked at the back post, and the attacking midfielder crashed in a shot off the crossbar despite Levadia's pleas for offside.

Glens held on, and now wait for their second qualifying opponents in the draw tomorrow morning.

Team: Morris [C]; O'Neill, Magee, Callacher, Hill (Addis 79); Scullion, Howland , R.Clarke, O'Hanlon; Boyd, Miskimmin (M.Clarke 79). Unused substitutes: Bradley, Hogg, Birney, McAlorum.

Attendance: 3,518

Man Of The Match: Jim O'Hanlon (Glentoran)

Here I am sitting in my apartment here overlooking the River Lagan with a much needed glass of Merlot in my hand...


Well what an amazing first game, one that had everything. I was particularly pleased with the reception I got from the fans when I actually stepped out at The Oval for the first time as Glentoran's new manager. The cheers and applause made the hairs stand up on my neck. Things like are an emotional feeling, and having only being back in the City for a few days made it extra special. This is something else.

When we went 1-0 down so early on, I could be thinking: "Oh God, is this the right decision?" but the team rallied and the support was nothing short of phenomenal all the way through. Sure the red card was a turning point, but hey the lad had to go - it was a late tackle on Mark (Miskimmin) and when you go in with studs showing then the referee has nothing else to do but send the offender off. I am sure that the Levadia team knew it was the correct decision, they can't argue with it. It certainly gave us a massive lift.

Jim (O'Hanlon) had a terrific game on the right wing, it was a hard choice in deciding whether to put him there and have Scully (David Scullion) on the left or going with Scully and Marcus Kane as my wingers. But I thought Jim would offer us great options and I'm glad that decision didn't backfire on me! It was ironic that he was in the right spot to get the equaliser then. We've only trained as a team for a couple of days and one of the things we're already working is being in the right places at set pieces; tonight showed it. If you are in the right position, as Jim was, when a clearance is miscued then you have to take advantage and reap the rewards. We did that.

However, with the game level on aggregate then I thought we would kick on and take the game away from Levadia but for some reason I reckon the dismissal kind of galvanised them: as if to say let's try and get a result with ten men. Chances came and went for us both, and we all knew that the next goal would prove crucial. It was a massive risk to do a double substitution with only 11 minutes left on the clock but in football management then you have to be prepared to take them. Some will come off. some will come back and haunt you.

Mark (Clarke) had been chirping in my ears all game to get involved, so I thought he could make a difference as Skimmy was showing signs of fatigue even though it means we were going 3-5-2 which something we have not trained to do. But didn't he hit the ball well for what proved to be the game winner, smashing it off the crossbar. It was a good job their goalie wasn't in the way otherwise he would have ended halfway up in the Sydenham End! It was a fantastic strike. Then we had to sit through two minutes of added on time which is always painful but we saw it through.

Now I'm off to UEFA HQ in the morning with Roy Coyle to see who we get in the next round. We're prepared for anyone!

Up the Glens!


Mark

The draw for the second qualifying round of the Europa League was made this morning at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. It was performed by current UEFA President Michel Platini and all three Northern Irish teams were given tough tests. Linfield will play Hapoel Tel-Aviv of Israel, Glentoran face Rijeka of Croatia and Crusaders encounter FC Aktobe of Kazahkstan. Of the three, Linfield are the only ones drawn at home first as both the Glens and Crues are sent on their travels to Eastern Europe.

Speaking directly after the draw was made, Glentoran manager Mark Duell said:



The draws for all British and Irish Clubs were as follows:



The first legs will be played on Thursday 18 July, with the return legs on the 25th.

Just 24 hours ahead of their Europa League encounter in Croatia, Glentoran boss Mark Duell has landed a double transfer swoop which he believes will increase his side's firepower this season at The Oval. Experienced striking pair Kevin Ramsey and Michael Moore have penned deals at the East Belfast club, and join on free transfers.

Former Celtic youngster Ramsey, 32, joins from Limavady United whom he re-joined after a spell at Institute. The experienced striker had a clause in his Limavady contract that entitled him to speak to other clubs of a higher level should they be interested in him. Joining him in East Belfast is 28 year old Moore who was at Carrick Rangers last season and these two should increase the striking options available to the Glens alongside Mark Miskimmin and Aaron Boyd as well youngster Jordan Stewart.

Just before flying out to Rijeka, Glens boss Duell had this to say about his new acquisitions:

"I'm pleased to bring both Kevin and Michael to the Club. Both players are good strikers and should give me a few decisions in attack. They will complement what we have in place at the moment and increase competition. I wanted to bring a couple of front men in as I was sure that this was a position where I felt we lacked depth. They are good and honest club men who will add valuable experience to our squad."

Neither Ramsey or Moore were registered in time for the trip to Croatia and will link up with their new team mates on their return back to Northern Ireland, Friday.

Despite taking an early lead in Croatia, three unanswered strikes gave Rijeka a decent advantage going into the second leg of this Europa League Second Qualifying Round encounter. Left-back Jason Hill struck the Glentoran goal but Dario Knezevic levelled just after the half-hour. Two goals in nine minutes in the second half left Mark Duell's men facing an uphill battle but with an away goal in the bank - anything is possible.

Glens took the lead in the 17th minute, good interplay from Mark Miskimmin and Ryan O'Neill set up David Scullion and he fed Hill who hammered a long range strike beyond Rijeka keeper Sasa Bosnjak. Roared on by their fanatical support, Rijeka pushed on for an equaliser and they got it on 32 minutes. Man of the Match Mehmed Alispahic's free-kick was headed down by wing-back Dragan Martinovic and skipper Knezevic angled a shot beyond Elliott Morris for 1-1.

The score stayed like that until the hour when the hosts took the lead. Right wing-back Kresimir Rivis crossed in and Leon Benko provided the gloss with a close finish. The tie got further behind the Northern Irish team nine minutes later when Rijeka scored their third in bizarre circumstances. Rivis' header from another Alispahic set-piece was attempted to be cleared by O'Neill off the line but it struck Morris in the back and ricocheted back into the net.

As much as they tried, Glens could not pull a second goal out of the hat and now have to retrieve a two goal deficit when the two sides lock horns again in East Belfast a week later.

Team: Morris [C]; O'Neill, Magee, Callacher, Hill; Scullion, Howland, R.Clarke (McAlorum 68), O'Hanlon (Kane 76); Miskimmin, Stewart (M.Clarke 68). Unused substitutes: Hogg, Bradley, Boyd, Addis.

Attendance: 9,781

Man of the Match: Mehmed Alispahic (HNK Rijeka)

Glentoran manager Mark Duell is today celebrating what he terms as "a real transfer coup" for the East Belfast club as he completed his third signing of the transfer window. Joining the Glens is 16 year old central defender Conor Garrett who impressed in a prospects game played at Windsor Park last Friday.

Garrett is reckoned by some to be the best centre half to come out of Northern Ireland in recent years, and Duell is obviously delighted to land his man. The Glens chief had this to say about his new signing:

Despite giving it their best effort, Glentoran bowed out of the Europa League on Thursday evening. Rijeka took the spoils 2-1 on the night, 5-2 on aggregate and now advance to the Third Qualifying Round. Skipper Dario Knezevic opened the scoring early on, and despite Aaron Boyd pulling back a sole consolation goal in the tie in the final minutes, the visitors had the final say when Ivan Benko netted in time added on.

Any hopes that Mark Duell and his team had of getting through were quickly extinguished after only 8 minutes. Memhed Alispahic's corner was met with a bullet header by Knezevic who found the net and silence the home supporters. The strike cancelled Jason Hill's away goal from the first leg and left Glentoran facing a mountainous task.

Glens tried their best but it was not until two minutes from full time that they breached the Croatian back line. Substitute Marcus Kane galloped away down the left wing, and his low cross was turned home by fellow substitute Boyd to level the scores on the night. However the visitors had the final say in injury time, Pero Bule's clearance out of defence was picked up by Benko and substitute Andrijano Pejic on a counter attack. The latter provided the cross for Alen Stekovic whose close range effort was parried by Elliott Morris but Benko was on hand to tuck away the rebound.

Team: Morris [C]; O'Neill, Magee, Callacher, Hill; O'Hanlon , Howland (M.Clarke 75), R.Clarke ; Scullion (Kane 69); Miskimmin, Stewart (Boyd 69). Unused substitutes: Bradley, Hogg, Addis, McAlorum.

Attendance: 4,005

Man of the Match: Dario Knezevic (HNK Rijeka)

I'll have a few more updates hopefully by the end of this week, just very busy with the day job.

Bear with me esteemed Susie readers...

The European Dream is over but we aren't disheartened.

Well we went out of the Europa League last night but I am not ashamed of my players, I am proud of every single one of them and the way they put their collectives bodies on the line for this great football club of us. We knew it would be tough, but all I asked from them was a performance and I got that.

The early goal knocked us back on our heels and to be honest left us facing a task akin to climbing Cave Hill. We plugged away but ultimately it was beyond us. It was a nice finish from Aaron (Boyd) and an even more excellent run and cross from Marcus Kane. That shows me that we have a great group of guys wanting to put the effort in and looking for the rewards. If this was lacking, they would know.

However now Europe is done with we can continue our preparation for the big kick-off next month. We have four friendlies planned, all away from home, but I will be utilising the squad system to look at people and how they perform. This will ultimately force my hand for the season opener.


Hopefully we will soon know who will play on opening day, I can't wait for that day. It's what makes us tick and love this game so much.

Keep being our 12th Man. Up the Glens!


Mark

Just the small matter of 12 days to go and the fixtures for the 2013-14 Danske Bank Premiership have been released and new boys Ards and Warrenpoint Town will lock horns against each other on the opening day of 10 August at Stangmore Park. It promises to be intriguing to say the least.

Meanwhile current champions Cliftonville raise the flag but have a tough opener at home against Portadown who will be looking to improve upon last season's disappointing 7th place finish. Title favourites are David Jeffrey's Linfield side who will be looking for a 52nd league title, and they travel to last season's runners-up Crusaders which again is a tough one to call. Glentoran, under new management this season, start with a home opener against a Coleraine side that have had reasonable success at The Oval in recent times.

The full opening day fixture list reads as follows:



The first "Big Two" derby takes place on Matchday Three when Linfield make the trip to The Oval. As usual the teams will split after 33 games, 1-6 and 7-12.

Just to say I'll be back soon....

Four games played in pre-season, and not a bad selection of results in warm-up for the big kick-off. This is how we performed:

Saturday 27 July 2013: Dundela (Away), Won 4-2
Attendance: 248

After the efforts of Thursday in the Europa League, we took a reserve line-up to Wigar Park, and were 3-0 up by half time thanks to goals from Michael Moore, Calum Birney and Marcus Kane. The hosts pulled one just shy of the halfway point of the second half through former Glens striker Michael Halliday. Gary Irwin made it 3-2 four minutes from the end with a penalty, but Jordan Hughes secured the win in time added at the end.

Team: Hogg; Bradley, McEntee, Birney, Addis; Stewart (Henderson 45), McAlorum [C] (Howland 65), M.Clarke (R.Clarke 45), Kane (Hughes 45); Moore (Chisanga 45), Ramsey (Boyd 65). Unused substitutes: O'Neill, Morris, Miskimmin, Hill, Callacher, O'Hanlon.
Man of the Match: Calum Birney (Glentoran)

Tuesday 30 July 2013: Larne (Away), Won 2-0
Attendance: 105

Two late goals secured our second pre-season win of the season, this time at Inver Park. We fielded a much stronger side than we did at Dundela but were made to work hard for the triumph. Opposing goalkeeper Andrew Dickey gifted us an own goal with just four minutes left, Jamie Marsh's clearance striking the keeper before going into the back of the net. The win was secured again in time added-on when Jordan Hughes scored his second goal in pre-season after latching onto a nod down from Kevin Ramsey.

Team: Morris [C] (Hogg 62); McGuigan, Callacher, Magee (Addis 62), Hill (Crawford 45); O'Hanlon (M.Clarke 62), Howland, Henderson, Scullion (Kane 62); McComb (Ramsey 45), Boyd (Hughes 62). Unused substitutes: O'Neill, Thompson, Moore, McAlorum, R.Clarke.
Man of the Match: John McGuigan (Glentoran)

Fri 2 August 2013: Carrick Rangers (Away), Drew 2-2
Attendance: 129

Honours even at Taylor's Avenue as we shared four goals with Carrick. Mark Miskimmin gave us the lead after 29 minutes, firing home from close range after a Jordan Hughes left wing cross. Carrick levelled matters early in the second period, Joe McCready breaking the offside trap after Ricky Gibson had flicked on a Ian West pass into his path. McCready doubled his tally and gave Carrick the lead with 14 minutes left, heading home Anto Lagan's corner kick. We salvaged a draw out of the game and only two minutes remained, Marcus Kane's near post cross being volleyed home by Jim O'Hanlon.

Team: Morris [C] (Hogg 67); O'Neill (McGuigan 67), Callacher (Addis 45), Magee, Hill (Kane 67); Scullion (O'Hanlon 67), Howland (M.Clarke 67), Henderson (McAlorum 45), Hughes (Crawford 77); Miskimmin (McComb 77), Boyd (Moore 67). Unused substitutes: Thompson, R.Clarke.
Man of the Match: Joe McCready (Carrick Rangers)


Monday 5 August 2013: Limavady United, Won 3-0
Attendance: 102

On a windy Monday evening in Limavady, we concluded our pre-season with a 3-0 win over the hosts. This game was arranged as part of the transfer that brought Kevin Ramsey to The Oval. A team with experience and youth alike took the lead after 23 minutes when Calum Birney's long ball was headed down by Jordan Hughes and Michael Moore volleyed past the home goalkeeper. We secured the win with two goals in the final 12 minutes. After 78 minutes, Aaron Boyd crossed for fellow substitute Carl McComb, and the youngster finished from an acute angle. Boyd added the third in injury time when he headed in from Jim O'Hanlon's centre.

Team: Morris [C] (Hogg 45); McGuigan (Thompson 53), Birney, Addis (O'Neill 63), Kane; M.Clarke (O'Hanlon 63), McAlorum (Henderson 63), R.Clarke (Howland 53), Hill (Scullion 53); Moore (McComb 63), Hughes (Boyd 63). Unused substitutes: Crawford, Miskimmin, Callacher.
Man of the Match: Aaron Boyd (Glentoran)

1. Elliott MORRIS Captain
2. Ryan O'NEILL
3. Marcus KANE
4. Richard CLARKE
5.
6. Jay MAGEE
7. David SCULLION
8. David HOWLAND
9. Mark MISKIMMIN
10. Aaron BOYD
11. Jordan HUGHES
12. Mark CLARKE
13. Conor McENTEE
14. Niall HENDERSON
15. Jason HILL
16. Stephen McALORUM Assistant Vice-Captain
17. Jimmy CALLACHER Vice-Captain
18. Aaron HOGG
19. Jonny ADDIS
20. Jim O'HANLON
21.
22. Calum BIRNEY
23. Steven McCULLOUGH
24. Kevin RAMSEY
25. Michael MOORE
26.
27. Kevin BRADLEY
28.
29. Jordan STEWART

I'm struggling to agree on a format which suits the match reports in a decent style.

Might do this initial season in monthly summary mode, any thoughts folks?

Welcome back to another season at The Oval, my first as manager of Glentoran.

I can't actually wait for the buzz of the start of the campaign. I have always enjoyed the start of any football season whether it be playing, watching or even now managing. The hairs stand on the back of your neck when the first whistle goes, and even when you are not playing: you kick every ball. It's what makes football the game it is.

We've had a good pre-season with a bit of progress in the Europa League and also in our domestic friendlies. I certainly think we did Northern Irish football proud with our efforts, it was just that we came across a very good side in Rijeka but if we can qualify for Europe at the end of the season then we will have some vital experience behind us.

Domestically, we had four good tests before tomorrow's start of the season. Three wins and a draw, that's not too bad at all is it and already I am very confident we can have a good season. I said that when I was appointed, that I was determined to wrench the title away from Linfield - I am so determined to do so. David Jeffery, Glentoran are coming for YOU! No more lying away, we are awake from our slumbers and we are determined to give it a damn good go, we will be challenging for the Danske Premier and every other Cup we compete. If my players have the passion I have for this Club then this is going to be a good season and I promise you that you will have some trophies in that cabinet.

Are you with me? Come on you Glens!


Mark

I lost a little bit of passion for the game over the last 2 months which explains the lack of updates; that and working away a lot. Hoping to rekindle it soon so you can see how the season went on.

Bear with me.

Quite a pleasing first month in charge with just a single defeat. But it was a defeat that I found hard to stomach as it was in the first “Big Two” derby of the season, and at home as well. Not the best result for me and the Glens supporters.

It started off a with a bang though, with a 4-0 opening day at home to Coleraine. Goals from Mark Miskimmin, Michael Moore, David Scullion and Jim O’Hanlon gave us the perfect start and safe to say I was absolutely delighted with that. The second week of the season saw us go to Portadown, which is never the easiest place to go and win, and I was content to come away with a 1-1 draw, although we could have had three points again until Darren Murray levelled for them in added on time after Miskimmin’s second goal in as many games had given us the lead halfway through the second half.

Then came the loss to Linfield, and to that arrogant man known as David Jeffrey. I really don’t like the man and I think the feeling is mutual. The man refused to shake my hand before and after the game; what an absolute douche! We had led the game 2-1 going into the final 14 minutes thanks to a couple of well taken strikes from Marcus Kane who has impressed me on the left wing. Jimmy Callacher had scored an early own goal for them, and goals from former Oldham striker Matthew Tipton and Mark McAllister gave the Blues the win in front of nearly 2,500.

We bounced back a few days later with a hard fought 2-1 win over Larne in the First Round of the County Antrim Shield. I changed the team for that game to give some of our fringe players some valuable game time and was happy to get through; Miskimmin and Niall Henderson got the goals. Another 2-1 home win followed a few days against Dungannon, with the man of the moment Miskimmin notching his fourth of the season and young centre half Calum Birney getting what proved to be the game winner as early as the 21st minute. Birney hadn’t featured much in my plans beforehand but this game showed what a decent defender he is and the partnership between him and Callacher looked very good indeed.

The first month finished with a trip out to Lurgan to face Glenavon, and we shared the spoils there too with another 1-1 draw. Moore’s second goal of the season gaining us a point after “Winky” Murphy – the former Linfield defender – had given the hosts the lead on the hour. So eight points out of a possible fifteen, and I’m quite content with that although it could, sorry should, have been more.

Just the five games this month, which was punctuated at the start of the month by the international break. But when we did get the season started - it was the County Antrim Shield. We faced Ballymena at the Showgrounds and it was probably the longest night of my short managerial career. We got off to the ideal start when Michael Moore tucked home a low cross from David Scullion at the near post after just 9 minutes. Our cause was further helped when former Gretna defensive midfielder Allan Jenkins picked up a second yellow card just before the hour to reduce Ballymena to ten men. However it seemed to galvanise them more than assist us and Johnny Taylor equalised in the 62th minute. That was it as regards scoring, and after 120 minutes we were still level at 1-1. So onto the dreaded penalty shoot-out...

It took 11 rounds to separate us! We were faultless from 12 yards, even Elliott Morris scored. Shades of Artur Boruc against Dundee United flashed through my head with that finish! Then Michael McLellan (who had scored Ballymena's first kick) tried to repeat the trick but Elliott dived low to his left and denied him. We all ran to him and a massive pile-on occurred, through 11-10 on penalties and into the last four.

The following Saturday saw us travel to Ferney Park and face Ballinmallard United. It was a game I was happy to come away with a draw to be honest despite us having the more clear cut chances. We went behind midway through the first half when Calum (Birney) headed in his own net under pressure from a Mallards attacker. But Aaron Boyd's second of the season, a striker's instinctive effort, drew us level with 16 minutes to go. However, Mallards should have won in the dying stages when Steve Feeney was clean through: thankfully, and not for the first time in Glentoran colours, Elliott (Morris) saved the day.

I made changes to the team for the next game which was the Northern Irish League Cup Second Round tie at home to Coagh United who play in the second tier of the Northern Ireland Leagues. Boyd's second goal in successive games gave us a 12th minute lead when he latched on Jay Magee's long ball to fire past the Coagh goalkeeper. It was 2-0 after 23 minutes, Jim O'Hanlon crossing for Kevin Ramsey to head home his first ever Glens goal. Shortly after half time we added a third thanks to a very pleasing team move, Jordan Stewart crossing eventually and defensive midfielder David Howland headed the ball into the net. Yet we seemed to think the game was over and Coagh got back into it. A couple of late goals from Jamie Tomelty and Dale Noble brought them back within one but we held on; thankfully.

Back into midweek after that, and a home game against Ballymena at The Oval.

More to add soon..

Sorry guys, I can't get this story to work as I want it to.

I'll relaunch it soon in a format which I will be happy with. Many apologies.

Mark

That's a shame if this story has come to an end, I thoroughly have enjoyed reading it.