July 28th, 2001 - SAINTS EXCHANGE FRIENDLY FIRE IN THE NORTH OF IRELAND
From the Official Glentoran Site at www.glentoran.net
GLENTORAN 3 ST. PATRICK'S ATHLETIC 2
Glentoran entered the interval leading 2-1 thanks to two Darren Armour strikes that typified his poacher instincts. Athletic took the lead in this friendly that had a bit of bite, with both teams showing commitment. The St Pat's goal was the result of the Glentoran defence allowing Foley to get unto the end of a right wing free. However the two close range efforts, one with his head, by Armour gave the Glens a bit of breathing space at half time.
A beautifully worked goal saw the Glens increase their lead when neat footwork by Nixon fed Batey, just inside the box, whose turn and shot flew past the helpless keeper. St Pat's pulled one back when a Liam Kelly cross was unfortunately deflected past his own keeper by Chris Walker. But, a major talking point will be the altercation between Andella and Harris that came close to starting a row that included technical staff. Andella was substituted and clam restored with the game coming to an end with Glentoran continuing to give their supporters confidence for the coming season.
Reactions of the Saints to the trip North
"Just returned from Belfast,the report on the match is exactly right except it was Keiran Foley involved in that little fracas,not Harris,but it blew over fairly quickly.You had to be there to see the Glens` third goal,a fantastic effort.We are coming along nicely but I would a little worried about our centre-backs at this stage,also our left side could still be our big weakness.Having said that,it`s still only pre-season and hopefully Dolo will have things tightened up by August 10th.I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by how nice the Glentoran people were,despite glens fan and David Kennedy`s assurances I was still a little apprehensive driving up but they were righr,we had no worries at all.Sadly.only about 12 Pats fans turned up as far as I could see."
Eddie Larkin on Saints Message Board
Eddie,
A few dozen travelled, but we found ourselves somewhat separated into twos and threes, here and there, didn`t we.
After the game a group of about ten of us went into the Glentoran Club Bar and enjoyed yourselves with the home fans.
A club Director invited us into their boardroom and we were given a full account of the club history, the great players in their past etc.
The club then organised taxis for everyone who required them, all done in a most warm and friendly way.
Fair play to Glentoran, they treated us very well indeed.
peileadoir (Saints Message Board)
I want to take this opportunity to thank the Glens fans and Board of Management for thier hospitality on Saturday, we arrived approx 30 mins before kick off and were invited into the excellent club bar facilities, the people there were very friendly and genuinely keen to talk to us. We met again at half time and after the game when we were invited into the trophy room.
All in all it was well worth making the trip, I do hope we can make this an annual event and invite the Glens down to Richmond.
Pity there were so few Pats fans there to witness such hospitality.
Good luck to Glentoran in the coming season.
Brian Dalton. (Saints Message Board)
