FOOTBALL:Glentoran draw with Swansea

Glentoran created the first chance of the game as Tiernan McNicholl was played in by Ross Redman before the former Cliftonville forward attempted an audacious chip only for the ball to loop over Swansea keeper Steven Bender and onto the roof of the net.

Glentoran were to suffer an early blow as they lost Elliot Morris due to injury he was replaced by Dwanyne Nelson inside fifteen minutes.

It was the young Swans who took the lead inside twenty-five minutes as Brandon Cooper slid in Oliver Sarkic to round Nelson and coolly slot into the empty net. In what was a poor first half Swansea should have made it two on the stroke of half-time as Tyler Reid crossed for George Byers who slid the ball wide of the target.

Swansea started the second half just as the first had ended when Cooper played in Jordan Carrick who jinked his way around the static Glentoran defence before his shot was well saved by the legs of Nelson.

Gary Haveron’s side should have been level on fifty-six minutes as John McGuigan ran through before thumping his shot wide of goal from eight yards out. However, the Glens did grab their leveller on sixty-three minutes as Daniel Kelly was left unmarked at the back post to slide the ball into the net after a Johnathon Smith pass split the Welsh sides defence.

Glentoran should have been ahead on seventy-one minutes as McNicholl was played through on goal by McGuigan but he was denied by a low Bender save. With fifteen minutes to go Bender was called into action again as he made a fine low save from McGuigan after he was played in by Stephen Gordon.

Swansea should have made it 2-1 on Eighty-two minutes as Ryan Blair hit the side netting after he span the home defence inside out before blasting his shot goal wards.

A draw was to be a fair result in what was a poor game overall but another ninety minutes under the belts for the Irish league side.

Glentoran: Morris (GK), Kane, Kelly ,McGuigan,McMullen, Davidson,McNicholl,Gordon,Redman,Smith and Kerr

Swansea: Bender (GK),Reid, Plezier,Blair, Cooper ,Radon,Carrick,Sarkic,Byers,Babi