Smyth all smiles after Morris magic as he backs Glens to build on victory
GLENTORAN manager Gary Smyth jokingly stated it was about time goalkeeper Elliott Morris scored for the club.
Morris got on the scoresheet in his 723rd game for the Oval men and Smyth was delighted his keeper played a part in their hard fought win at Institute, which was their first in 13 games.
“That’s his first in 700 odd games, so it’s about time it came,” he joked.
“Jokes aside I’m absolutely delighted, not only with the win, which was obviously going to be very hard coming down here, we knew that we because we have seen Institute twice already this season, but also the clean sheet.
“We have been hammering it into the boys to keep it tight at the back, because if you don’t concede you always have a chance and if we can stay in games then we always have a chance.
“Institute had a lot of play around our box, but Elliott didn’t really have to make a save, but they are still dangerous. However, to break away and get the second was brilliant.”
Having such fire power of Robbie McDaid, Curtis Allen and most recently Darren Murray, the Glens boss feels the top end of their pitch isn’t a problem.
“We have only had two cleansheets all season prior to Institute — we had two clean sheets against Ards,” he added.
“Our first came in the second game of the season and our second was against Ards in October and that’s an absolute disaster for a club like Glentoran, but hopefully that’s us now started.
“The boys are in great form in the changing room. A win, why don’t you want to taste more of it.”
Morris dedicated the goal to his ill father.
“I would like to dedicate that goal to my father Gareth, he’s seriously ill, so that one was for him,” he stated.
Institute manager Paddy McLaughlin was disappointed that his side for the second game in a row didn’t really get started until after half-time.
“Over the last couple of weeks we have been slow out of blocks and the quickest team who builds up momentum, usually goes on to dominate the game,” he stated. “We tried to build up momentum but found it difficult in the first half, but that’s challenges that players have to deal with on the pitch.
“You can’t expect teams to stand off you and let you control and do what you want. They are going to go up against you at times and when that happens you have to have better solutions that we have shown.”
INSTITUTE: Gallagher, McLaughlin (Dunne, 86), Bonner, Curry, Doherty (Morrow 73), Harkin, McCrudden, Scoltock, Jarvis, Wilson (McIntyre, 65), McCready.
GLENTORAN: Morris, Birney, Gallagher (Gordon 80), Allem, McDaid (McCarthy 90), Kerr, Pepper, Crowe, Redman, Murray (O’Neill 80), Gwiazda.
Referee: Steven Gregg (Ballyclare)
Man of match: Elliott Morris.