McFall still looking to strengthen up Glens
RONNIE McFall hopes there will be a new face or two at The Oval before the transfer window closes.
Glentoran struggled to bring in players during the summer, but have recently snapped up midfielder Conor Pepper, utility man Lee Chapman and defender Joe Crowe.
Following Saturday’s comfortable 2-0 win over Ards, McFall stated that he believes the east Belfast club will do more business in the next fortnight.
“We’re still actively looking to bring in more players before the window closes,” he said.
“By the time we came in the best locally-based players who were out of contract were snapped up, but we knew that, so we just have to accept that and get on with things. That’s why we looked outside Northern Ireland and signed Conor Pepper.
“He was excellent on Saturday, which is impressive when you consider how long he spent out of the game. When he gets more time under his belt, he will only get better.”
First-half goals from John McGuigan and Curtis Allen proved sufficient to see off Ards, who lost Sean Noble — to a potentially season-ending anteriorcruciate ligament tear — Dave Elebert and Kym Nelson to injury.
Exasperated boss Colin Nixon said: “We made a really bright start to the game and I was delighted with how we performed in the opening 15 minutes or so, but the three injuries meant my game plan was out the window and we never really recovered from that.” ARDS: Johnston, Kerr, Elebert (McAleenan, 20 mins), Byers, McClean, Frazer, Tommons, Nelson (Cherry, 46 mins), D McAllister, Mitchell, Noble (McLellan, 15 mins). Unused subs: Mooney, M. Kelly, E McAllister, Taylor. GLENTORAN: Morris, Kerr, Garrett, Birney, Redman, McMahon (Chapman, 56 mins), Pepper, Kane, Davidson, McGuigan, Allen Unused subs: Nelson, Gordon, Ferrin, McCarthy O’Neill, Henderson.
Refeee: Steven Gregg (Ballyclare)
Man of the match: Conor Pepper
Match rating: 5/10