Sport

Patterson hails Glens' spirit

GLENTORAN manager Eddie Patterson had only one thing on his mind when it was put to him that Saturday's Irish Cup semi-final win over Crusaders at Mourneview Park may not have been the best game in the world to watch.

"That's what semi-finals are all about - getting the result, irrespective of what your performance is - it's about getting to the final. That's it in a nutshell," he said.

One goal from Curtis Allen, six minutes before the break, was enough to send the Glens into the final where they will meet Portadown on May 2 after the mid-Ulster outfit beat Ballymena United 3-1 at the oval in the other semi-final.

"Curtis has 19 goals for us this season - not bad for a team that is sitting in fifth place and were written off," said Patterson.

"It was a good move - it was a good challenge by Niall Henderson just outside the box which went to Allen. [He then] back heels it or flicks it out to [Kym] Nelson who then put it inside to him and he finished it very well."

Although Crusaders came very close to an equaliser late on when Diarmuid O'Carroll rattled the crossbar, Patterson felt his side deserved their win as they took their chance when it presented itself in contrast to their opponents.

He was also very pleased that, in breaking a 15 match losing streak to the north Belfast men, his young side were also able to meet the physical challenge Stephen Baxter's side presented.

"In the first half I thought we played some good stuff - played some decent football. We were fortunate enough to come in one-nil up and then in the second half, we knew what way Crusaders were going to come at us," he said.

"It was going to be long ball after long ball and it was important we challenged for that first ball that was coming in and then reacted quicker for the second ball.

"That's what Crusaders are good at - they will feed Owens. He's a big, big lad and he wins the majority of balls in the air. The second phase ball kills you if you don't attack it quick enough and were fortunate enough to get to the majority of those sort of balls.

"We weren't bullied - Crusaders are a big strong outfit and what they do is they are very, very physical and they bully defenders.

"I am just glad that the two young lads stood up to it - Calum Birney and Willie Garrett. They are only 21 and 22 years old. That's just an example of what we have got throughout the team - young lads coming in and learning their trade.

"And to be quite honest it was important for us that those kids stood up to the challenge and they did that."

As for the cup final date with Portadown, Patterson insisted Glentoran "know what they're about."

"[They are] another big physical side. We played them a couple of weeks ago -we have also got to play them a couple of weeks before the Cup final when the split comes," he said.

"It's going to be a very, very difficult game but we are looking forward to it. It keeps the season alive.

"We have six league games left - one game before the split and that will keep the boys chomping at the bit [with] competition for places - people wanting an opportunity to play in the final.

"They are going to have to step up to the plate for every game and hopefully we can rope more points in because of that competition and keep everyone on their toes."

PORTADOWN will be Glentoran's opponents in the Irish Cup final on May 2 after Ronnie McFall's side beat Ballymena United 3-1 at the Oval.

With just four minutes gone, Mark McAllister made it 1-0 with a drive from inside the box. Another ex-Linfield player, Michael Gault, doubled their advantage 13 minutes later when he pounced on the rebound from his initial right footed effort, to finish with his left.

Pete McMahon made it three when he raced through on goal and lobbed Ballymena goalkeeper Dwayne Nelson.

With 20 minutes remaining, the Braidmen's sub Darren Boyce reduced the arrears when he took advantage of a poor headed clearance to fire a deflected effort past Portadown goalkeeper David Miskelly.

The Sky Blues also went close from David Cushley, but could not find another goal to put pressure on Ronnie McFall's men.