DALE Gorman’s powerful left foot strike with two minutes remaining sent Glentoran into this season’s Co Antrim Shield final where they will face Larne.
Last night’s absorbing semi-final at Solitude looked destined for extra-time – until Gorman’s sweetly struck effort beat Reds keeper Richard Brush.
Cliftonville had little or no time to get an equaliser, which they probably deserved on the night, as the east Belfast men avenged last month’s 1-0 league defeat at the north Belfast ground.
From the opening exchanges, holders Cliftonville’s grip on the historic shield was as tight as could be with the home side cutting opening the Glentoran defence on several occasions.
The main threat came down the left flank and as early as the eighth minute, Conor McMenamin glided in-field, rolled the ball invitingly in front of Joe Gormley, who’d peeled away from the Glens defence, but his pile-driver was well blocked by Dayle Coleing in goal.
Like McMenamin, skipper Chris Curran was full of industry and invention and waded deep into enemy territory before setting up wing-back Conor McDermott but the Derry man’s left-footed effort flashed past the Glentoran upright.
In the opening half, the home side appeared to have struck the right balance between defence and attack. When the Glens tried to steal possession and counter-attack, red jerseys flooded back to protect their own goal with midfield destroyer Liam Bagnall acting himself as the most stubborn of shields.
Entering last night’s semi-final without a league win under their belts, the visitors improved as the opening half wore on, winning a succession of corners before Richard Brush was forced into action, tipping over Cameron Stewart’s glancing header after Patrick McClean’s super centre four minutes before the break.
Mick McDermott was forced to reorganise his back line after McClean limped out of the action soon after the restart but their confidence continued to grow without actually creating any clear-cut chances.
At the other end, McMenamin twice let fly but couldn’t find a way past the imposing Coleing before McClean’s deputy and former Newcastle United midfielder Gael Bigirimana went close with a rasping drive just outside the Cliftonville penalty area.
The restricted numbers of the home faithful began to find their voice as the game edged towards extra-time. Ryan Curran, entering the fray for Michael McCrudden, improved the Reds attack but they never really extended Coleing in the second half despite enjoying some good possession.
And just when it looked like a long night, up popped Gorman - son of the great Tony - to blast home the winner. In last night’s other semi-final, Larne coasted to a 4-1 victory over 10-men Linfield at Inver Park.
Cliftonville: R Brush, J Harney, G Breen, A Donnelly (R Doherty 29), R O’Reilly, L Bagnall, C Curran, C McDermott, M McCrudden (R Curran 71), J Gormley (T Maguire 80), C McMenamin Subs not used: D Dunne, D O’Connor, S Foster, O Casey
Glentoran: D Coleing, S Clucas, P McClean (G Bigirimana 52), K Cowan, C Marron, J Crowe, D Gorman, CP Gallagher, J McDonagh, J Donnelly (R Donnelly 85), C Stewart (R McDaid 78) Subs not used: P O’Neill, A Mitchell, R Brown, C O’Connor
Referee: S Andrews
