Glentoran’s inconsistent kind in current seasons is an element behind the east Belfast facet’s glorious begin to the brand new Danske Financial institution Premiership marketing campaign, says coach Tim McCann.
The former winger performed in Glentoran’s most profitable group underneath Roy Coyle, however returned to the fold this summer season after leaving his teaching place at Larne.
Whereas not concerned in current seasons, McCann is conscious that Glentoran’s title hopes have been torpedoed by sluggish begins, poor finishes or each.
Final yr, Mick McDermott’s facet had been blown off track within the remaining furlong of an exhilarating marketing campaign and McCann feels the gamers know themselves what must be executed this time period.
4 wins and a draw from their first 5 video games sees the Glens lead the chasing pack on the high, consolidated by Saturday’s 3-0 win over Newry Metropolis.
The guests saved Glentoran at arm’s size till the 67th minute when substitute Bobby Burns scrambled the ball house.
Fellow sub Ally Roy adopted up with an in depth vary end simply three minutes later then Paddy McClean wrapped up the factors with a late header.
“I feel we’ve had poor begins in earlier seasons, I don’t know why, however the boys are actually centered in coaching and I feel they’re attempting to place a number of wrongs proper,” mentioned McCann.
“We had been disenchanted with our first recreation, in opposition to Larne. We had possibilities and didn’t take them however, whereas we’re not enjoying high, high stage right now, it’s all about three factors one way or the other, whether or not it’s 1-0 or 3-0.
“Folks say Linfield didn’t play nice soccer final season however you already know what? They received the league and that’s what we now have to do, grind out outcomes if we now have to, be arduous to beat, maintain clear sheets and rating objectives, as a result of we now have objectives on this group.
“On this league, anybody can beat anybody and in case you drop your guard for one minute — Newry had an important probability at 0-0 — you may get punished.”
Metropolis supervisor Darren Mullen was joyful that his facet caught to the sport plan however felt his gamers ought to have been extra scientific in entrance of aim.
John McGovern was usually discovered monitoring again to assist his defenders out and Daniel Hughes was left feeding off scraps, whereas Lorcan Forde had an important probability when his shot was tipped over by Aaron McCarey.
“You need to take your possibilities,” he mentioned.
“We created possibilities in opposition to Linfield, Crusaders and Carrick, didn’t take them and didn’t get something out of the video games.
“We took our possibilities final Tuesday and had an emphatic win (in opposition to Glenavon). Earlier than half-time, Lorcan Forde created a great probability, if he slips it both facet of the keeper we’re 1-0 up and it turns into a unique recreation.”
GLENTORAN: McCarey, Kane (Burns 27), Wilson, McCartan, Marshall, J Donnelly, R Donnelly (Roy 59), Singleton, Murray (Plum 59), McClean, McMenamin (Purkis 81).
Unused subs:Webber, Crowe, Wightman.
NEWRY CITY: Maguire, King (Carville 78), N Healy, Hughes (B Healy 73), Lockhart (Scullion 73), McGovern, Martin, Moan, P Donnelly (Clarke 78), Forde (Teelan 73), Montgomery.
Unused subs:Omrore, Kwelele, Clarke.
Referee: Tim Marshall (Irvinestown)
Man of the Match: Conor McMenamin
Match Ranking: 7/10