Striker Conor McMenamin was the tormentor-in-chief as Glentoran final evening roared into spherical two of the BetMcLean League Cup with a 7-0 victory over Institute on the Oval.
On a day when soccer returned to the sporting calendar following a pause of respect to mark the demise of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, targets from Jay Donnelly, Aidan Wilson, McMenamin, Hrvoje Plum, Danny Purkis, who bagged two, and Ali Roy eased the east Belfast aspect into the subsequent section.
A minute’s silence was impeccably noticed earlier than kick-off by the sparse crowd.
The guests, beneath the managerial rein of former Cliftonville coach Brian Donaghey, had ex-Coleraine man Cathair Friel on board together with former Dungannon Swifts pair Dylan King and Cormac Burke, who began on the bench.
Glentoran boss Mick McDermott might have handed debuts to seven of his younger weapons within the Protect win over Lisburn Distillery final week, however he was taking no possibilities right here as he reinstated his large weapons, though he gave a beginning slot to new signing from Dungannon Swifts, Terry Devlin.
The Premiership boys had a let-off after solely 30 seconds. Friel managed to slice his means by way of the center and, with solely Aaron McCarey to beat, scuffed his shot, which was then finally cleared by Paddy McClean.
Glentoran needed to wait till 17 minutes for his or her first sniff on the different finish they usually actually ought to have been in entrance when Jamie McCormick’s meant again go to goalkeeper Dylan Doherty fell woefully quick.
Donnelly was onto it in a flash, however he rolled his shot vast of the goal.
He had higher luck on 22 minutes. Northern Eire worldwide McMenamin supplied the scrumptious cross and the previous Cliftonville striker buried a header previous Doherty.
McDermott’s boys missed one other superb probability simply earlier than the half-hour when skipper Marcus Kane picked out the long-striding McMenamin with a 40-yard go and, after taking a elegant first contact, he may solely shoot in opposition to the legs of Doherty.
McMenamin was the wrongdoer once more on 33 minutes. This time Rhys Marshall’s intelligent cut-back offered the striker with an important probability, however he hoofed vast.
It actually ought to have been over as a contest earlier than the break with Shay McCartan lobbing inches over the bar earlier than firing a fierce drive into the aspect netting. The guests had been hanging on.
However the Glens struck once more seconds earlier than the interval with a double whammy. After a splendidly labored free-kick routine involving Bobby Burns, McMenamin and Donnelly, Wilson was in a position to faucet residence.
And, simply earlier than referee Steven Gregg’s whistle, McMenamin minimize in from the correct earlier than letting fly and his shot took a deflection and lobbed over the stranded Doherty.
The theme continued after the break with the Glens punishing the guests as soon as once more when McMenamin whipped in an important cross from the correct which was volleyed residence by midfielder Plum.
It was now procession stuff with substitute Purkis bagging a magnificence on 73 minutes, slicing in from the left earlier than sending a thundering shot previous Doherty.
Roy then displayed his ending instincts, choosing up a go from Plum earlier than thundering residence.
The total-time whistle couldn’t come quickly sufficient for the Championship crew.
GLENTORAN: McCarey, Kane, Wilson (Crowe 56), Burns, McCartan, Marshall, J Donnelly (Purkis 65), McClean, Devlin (Wightman 56), McMenamin (Roy 65), Plum.
Unused subs: R Donnelly, Murray, Webber.
INSITITUTE: D Doherty, Kelly, McAleer, Leppard, McFadden (McLaughlin 56), Coyle, Dunne (Walker 46), King, McCormick (Burke 46), Friel (McDermott 71), Clarke (S Doherty 46).
Unused subs: Muldoon, Whiteside.
Referee: Steven Gregg.
Man of the match: Conor McMenamin
Match score: 6/10