Glentoran secured a first away win at Windsor Park since October 2022 as Declan Devine’s men produced a superb second half to beat league leaders Linfield 3-1.
While they say form goes out the window in ‘Big Two’ derbies, the first such game of the campaign played out in entirely expected fashion with Joel Cooper opening the scoring after eight minutes and the previously shy Glens struggling to create chances.
Perhaps the only surprise was that David Healy’s side, the most prolific in the Irish Premiership this season, failed to increase their tally before the break, with Glentoran on the hook for a string of saves. Daniel Gyollai.
But the men at the Oval changed teams in the second half, both from the first 45 minutes and in the final weeks, with goals from Jay Donnelly, Frankie Hvid and Cameron Palmer producing an incredible comeback to give the Blues their second defeat of the season.
Glentoran entered the competition struggling for goals, drawing six of their previous 10 league matches, including last weekend’s 0-0 draw against Glenavon which sparked a flustered reaction from the residents of east Belfast.
So they couldn’t afford to fall behind early on and score a sloppy goal. While defensive solidity has been for the most part a strength this season – and new goalkeeper Dan Gyollai was voted the club’s September Player of the Month – confusion in their own box and a clumsy touch from skipper Marcus Kane allowed Cooper to open the scoring. off the crossbar.
With any plans to frustrate Linfield and hit the league leaders at the break gone up in smoke before ten minutes had been played, Glentoran struggled to gain a foothold in the competition and it felt as if Linfield were the first with each bouncing ball.
The first half was their season so far in microcosm – a lack of opportunities beyond a James Singleton header and the fact that their keeper could thank the fact that things weren’t any worse.
Gyollai had to be vigilant to prevent Cooper from doubling the lead as the former Glenavon man saw an audacious effort land at the top of the bar just before the half-hour mark.
When the visitors played Dylan Connolly to makeshift defender Chris Shields, the officials inexplicably awarded a corner rather than a free-kick, with Glentoran’s complaints only tempered by Gyollai preventing the error from getting worse with a save. Matthew Fitzpatrick tops the score. the other end.
And the Glens had the Hungarian marksman to thank once again moments before half-time when he came out to block Charlie Allen from close range.
But Declan Devine’s side appeared a completely different side in the second half.
Two consecutive corners may not have seemed like much, but it marked a considerable increase in their application of pressure and their improvement was rewarded by Donnelly’s excellent finish from the edge of the box under the guidance of Daniel Amos.
Confidence suddenly seemed to flow through the visitors, although Gyollai’s save from Ethan McGee was a reminder of the work still to be done in defence.
Indeed, so keen were their players to try their luck that Donnelly and David Fisher attempted to hit the same bouncing ball.
Amos’ set-piece deliveries posed a growing threat and, when centre-back Frankie Hvid headed a corner past Chris Johns, the game had been completely turned on its head.
The 19-year-old, who scored the winner against Carrick Rangers in Glentoran’s last away league win, headed away at Windsor Park, with even the celebrating fans surely doubting that such a return is on the horizon. .
As if to rub salt into Linfield’s wounds, the icing on the cake for Glentoran came when former Blues midfielder Cameron Palmer took Shields’ pocket and slipped the ball past Johns.
As they wait to see if they fall from top spot during the remainder of the Irish Premiership weekend, David Healy’s side will rue missed first-half chances. Glentoran, meanwhile, will be hoping this memorable derby victory can kick-start their season.
