Jay strike too little, too late
The Glens stumbled out of the Central League Cup in the third round with a disjointed display against Central District First side St Roch’s.
The tone of the first half last Wednesday night was set very early on as the visitors pressed high up the park and Glencairn’s passing seemed to be lethargic and sloppy.
Jordan Logan fired a shot straight at JC Hutchison after dispossessing Alan Muir in the 11th minute. And seconds later Hutchison had to palm a shot by Martin Shiels round the post after the ball was given away cheaply again.
It came as no surprise when St Roch’s finally punished Glencairn’s lapses as they took the lead in the 20th minute.
Jordan Logan found space in the penalty area and fired against the crossbar, only for the ball to rebound off Andy Neil and into his own net.
There were hints as half-time approached that Glencairn were beginning to settle in to the game. Muir’s free-kick was knocked over the bar and the visiting defence threw bodies in the way to stop Stewart Hall scoring from inside the box.
The Glens re-emerged for the second half with the same personnel but with a bit of added pace and attitude.
Craig Johnston created a golden chance for Glencairn to equalise in the 49th minute. His run and pass set up Alessandro Savarese with only Aedan Houston to beat – but the young keeper made an excellent block with his foot.
The slack passing had not been eradicated, though, and St Roch’s pounced again in the 51st minute when Jordan Halsman fired just wide.
There was controversy in the 63rd minute when Paddy Cullen was hauled down in the box but the ref pointed for a corner kick.
The Glens hopes of a comeback were disappearing rapidly in the 71st minute as St Roch’s doubled their lead from a breakaway. The danger looked to have been cleared but Hall hesitated with his clearance and allowed Logan to nip in to stab the ball home.
Sub Jay McKay scored a superb goal two minutes in to added time but it was not enough for the Glens to salvage anything from the match.