Matchday Perspectives: Glentoran

Introducing the second installment of brand new feature to cliftonvillefc.net, our Matchday Perspectives programme will catalogue Cliftonville’s home games through the eyes of supporter Sean McKinney from his vantage point in the Disabled Section of the McAlery Stand.

Covering not only key on-pitch action, Sean’s accounts will also reflect the pre-match build-up and the atmosphere generated in the Red Army’s bid to inspire the team, plus his take on the standout performers in the side, with this latest offering covering this weekend’s Boyle Sports Premiership fixture with Glentoran.

A big thank you to everyone who liked my last report and posted encouraging comments, and to those who complimented me at Saturday’s match. Also, a BIG thank you to St Malachys College for the help in securing this role for me and for posting the report on the school Facebook page.

As always, the Reds v Glens clash is a well-attended event and today was no exception. A full house saw an entertaining game which finished with a 2-1 win for the visitors but, with a bit of luck, Cliftonville might have salvaged a draw near the end.

I arrived with the old man just before 2pm in keeping with car-parking arrangements. The stadium was already beginning to fill up, and Brown’s Fish ‘n’ Chips van was doing a steady trade with the away fans.

I was met as usual by Jess McQuiston, Cliftonville’s Disability Access Officer, who provides excellent assistance to me on matchdays. She sorted out my chair and table at my usual spot in the McAlery Stand and I settled in to watch my first Glens v Cliftonville match at Solitude.

The old man told me his first ever match at Solitude was against Glentoran in 1978 (yes, that’s how old he is) which was abandoned at half-time due to crowd trouble. Right on cue, former manager Marty Quinn – Cliftonville’s No.5 stalwart from those bygone days and who almost certainly played in that very match – came up the steps and took his seat.

Thankfully, there were no issues between today’s rival fans as both sets of supporters focused solely on backing their teams. Constant chanting from both ends of the stadium added to the atmosphere though, if truth be told, the Cliftonville Ultras, proudly displaying their banner and looking good in their printed T-shirts and scarfs, out-sang their rivals throughout the game.

Again, banners brightened up the old Stand. Along with those mentioned in the last report, Paris Reds (really!), Tommy Breslin CFC, Cushendun Reds, Poirot Reds (!) and Fermanagh Reds could clearly be seen but the strong wind made it difficult to read the rest. The biggest of all, and one which no one could have any difficulty reading, was the huge Red Army/Sean Graham banner which covered almost a quarter of the seats in the upper tier.

A quick look at the teamsheet and it was time for the players to take the field to a Guard of Honour from Ardoyne Holy Cross Boxing Club, who did well to keep the flags upright in the windy conditions.

The Glens wore an unfamiliar gold and black strip while Cliftonville were, as usual, wearing the coolest shades of Red ever.

For the first 12 minutes or so, Cliftonville looked the better team. The Glens keeper was forced to make a good early save but shortly afterwards PJ Morrison twice did well to keep the ball out of the home net. Was this a sign of things to come?

In the 15th minute, what seemed to be a mix up in communication in the Reds’ defence followed by an unsuccessful clearance led to a free header from Glentoran which Morrison was unlucky not to keep out – 1-0 to the visitors.

In the 32nd minute, the Reds were awarded a free-kick from the left of the Glentoran box. From watching highlights of the recent games I had missed, I knew that the Glens could be in big trouble from this sort of set-piece. No.16 Dean McMaster struck the ball beautifully in to the net to make the scoreline 1-1.

Just before half-time, an off-the-ball incident led to a lot of grappling and shoving between the opposing players but the referee soon restored order. The fans, though vocal, remained calm and the events of 1978 were thankfully not repeated!

One look at the swaying trees in the Waterworks – almost like a huge green waving banner – dispelled any hopes that the windy conditions were improving. The temperature dropped (what will it be like in the January?!) but it stayed bright and dry. The blankets which the Club make available to those in the Disabled Section were not needed and Mary’s tea kept the old man happy.

The second-half saw chances for both teams and claims for a penalty by the home side in the 56th minute were dismissed after Brian Healy went down in the box. To the neutral supporter (not that there were any present), the penalty call may have been a bit optimistic, but I’m not neutral – it was a stonewall penalty, it should have been given, we would have scored and went on to win the match… well, maybe not.

Cliftonville’s fate was sealed, though, in the 83rd minute when the Glens scored their second and what proved to be their match-winning goal. A few late and close attempts by Cliftonville unfortunately came to nothing and, after a red card was given to Glentoran player for a second yellow offence, the whistle sounded, and the Reds headed to the dressing room to the applause of their fans.

My prediction of a 2-1 scoreline was correct, though my prediction that it would be in Cliftonville’s favour was unfortunately not.

A disappointing result, but we’ll bounce back. We are Cliftonville, Super Cliftonville.