IRISH LEAGUE: Gers fall to Glens at Oval

Two late goals earned Glentoran a 2-0 win over Carrick Rangers at The Oval.
Glentoran's Marcus Kane in action with Carrick's Kyle Cherry. Photo: PresseyeGlentoran's Marcus Kane in action with Carrick's Kyle Cherry. Photo: Presseye
Glentoran's Marcus Kane in action with Carrick's Kyle Cherry. Photo: Presseye

Captain Stephen McAlorum struck in the 83rd minute and substitute Conor McMenamin fired home in the third minute of stoppage time to seal the points for Eddie Patterson’s side.

It moves the Glens to within a point of sixth-placed Portadown in the Danske Bank Premiership table.

Carrick can feel aggrieved not to emerge with any reward following a spirited display in east Belfast.

Aaron Traynor dragged a shot wide of the post in the first minute for the visitors.

At the other end Fra McCaffrey lobbed over the bar after being sent clear by Stevie Gordon in the fifth minute.

Glentoran’s goal led a charmed life in the 31st minute.

Elliott Morris did well to save Kyle Cherry’s effort, and as the ball ricocheted towards the goal Barry Holland was there to clear his lines.

Mark Surgenor headed over from eight yards in the 41st minute for Carrick before Conor McCloskey fired a low drive wide of the post.

Andrew Doyle was inches away from getting on the end of Cherry’s teasing corner in the 49th minute.

The woodwork denied Carrick in the 57th minute when Ryan Kane’s superb free-kick from 25 yards clipped the bar.

Stevie Gordon hit the post for Glentoran in the 74th minute with a curling effort from inside the box.

The deadlock was broken in the 83rd minute.

Marcus Kane’s initial shot was blocked, and the ball fell to McAlorum who picked his spot with a composed shot into the bottom corner.

Curtis Allen pounced on an errant back pass in the 87th minute, but Carrick keeper Neeson did well to get down and palm the shot around the post.

The points were wrapped up in stoppage time when McMenamin surged down the right channel before cutting inside and rifling an unstoppable left-foot shot into the roof of the net.

GLENTORAN: Morris, Garrett, Kane, Holland, Scullion (Smith 81), Allen, McCaffrey (McMenamin 62), McAlorum, Addis, Gordon, Gray (Gibson 46).

Subs not used: McCullough, Hogg.

CARRICK: Neeson, Traynor, Surgenor, Cherry (McCaul 73), McCloskey, Kane, Johnston (Roy 87), Doyle, Browne, Taggart, Miskimmin (Dick 80).

Subs not used: McNeill, Keenan.

Referee: Evan Boyce (Ballygowan)