PERFECT SEND-OFF FOR COYLE AT OVAL
GOAL: Darren Boyce celebrates
CARETAKER boss Roy Coyle was last night given the perfect send off as Glentoran powered their way into the quarter-finals of the Setanta Sports Cup at the Oval.
Coyle, who has been in charge on a temporary basis since Scott Young’s departure last month, will today make way for a new manager, but he couldn’t hide his delight after this demolition of Bray Wanderers.
Darren Boyce grabbed two of the goals with Colin Nixon getting in on the act, which guaranteed the Glens the slot in the draw – adding to the four they bagged Carlisle Grounds last week.
Coyle made three changes from the team that grinded out a creditable 1-0 win over Cliftonville at the weekend.
Calum Birney, Stephen Carson and Boyce were drafted into the starting eleven at the expense of Aidan O’Kane and Jamie McGovern, while new striker Leon Knight was ruled out because of flu.
Elliott Morris protected Glentoran’s two-goal cushion by producing a wonder save practically form the kick-off. Calum Birney, picked up a needless booking for a hand ball infringement, which led to the inform Morris brilliantly pawing Dean Zambra’s 25 yard free kick over the crossbar.
Glentoran had the sparse home crowd on its feet on 11 minutes with Boyce’s opener.
Carson’s wickedly hit free-kick caused mayhem in the Bray defence leaving Boyce to glance home his 12th goal of the season at the back post.
Even though the goal practically killed off the Airticity League team’s hopes of progressing, they remained dangerous on the break.
Tricky Marty Waters cleverly jinked his way into the box and just as he was about to pull the trigger Glens skipper Nixon popped up to deflect the effort wide.
The Carson-Boyce partnership almost worked again on 36 minutes. This time the striker’s header was just too high following another teasing corner from his sidekick.
Glentoran ended the half on top and Andy Waterworth waltzed past Quigley in injury time, only to see his shot scuffed off the line by Dane Massey.
However, the Belfast boys were not to be denied. Carson was yet again was the provider – drilling the ball into the box for Nixon to power home with the flick of his head.
Wanderers, looking for some consolation, were gifted an opportunity on 55 minutes following an uncharacteristic error from Sean Ward, but Morris capably dealt with Dan O’Connor’s low drive.
Morris then produced a reflex save from Waters, who really should have hit the net from six yards.
But the Glens wrapped up a good night’s work on 75 minutes when Boyce hammered home from the penalty spot after Massey’s trip on Waterworth.
Former Glens defender Pat McGibbon and ex-Cliftonville boss Eddie Patterson are the front runners to take over the Oval hotseat.
Glentoran: Morris, Nixon, Clarke, Ward, Waterworth, Boyce, Carson, Hill, Callacher, O’Hanlon (E Murray 14), Birney (Howland 46, O’Kane 64).
Subs: Gibson, McGovern, M Murray, Hogg.
Bray Wanderers: Quigley, Webster, Knight, Mitchell (Sweeney 46), Massey, O’Connor, Hanlon, Zambra, Waters, Houston (Kelly 61), Kelty (Byrne 46).
Subs: Tresson, Butler, Brennan, Kane.
Referee: C Burns, Belfast.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
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