Premier League.

12th March 05.  Institute 0  Glentoran 1

Glentoran travelled to Institute's Riverside stadium, knowing that nothing other than three points would do. A hard fought win saw them consolidate their position at the top of the league, only behind Linfield on goal difference. A single goal decided what was a largely one-sided affair, with Elliott Morris having very little to do all afternoon. The Glens were having to do without the services of Darren Lockhart, after he failed to recover from a hamstring injury sustained last Tuesday night against Limavady. His place was taken by Shaun Holmes.

The first half offered little by way of chances, with the Glens making most of them. A snapshot from Mark Glendinning midway through the half, and a Shaun Holmes shot hitting the crossbar, were Glentoran's best of those chances in a scrappy first half. Towards the end of the half, Institute almost got on the scoresheet, with a looping header being cleared off the line at Morris' right-hand post.

The Glens upped the pace in the second period, yet the uneven Drumahoe surface thwarted what was some good attacking play. Michael Halliday scuffed a shot from ten yards out, and crosses from Keegan and McCann were spoiled by the poor pitch. The Institute keeper was kept busy in the second half, snuffing out chances and half-chances. It was frustrating to watch, and one wondered where that elusive goal would come from. Roy Coyle tried to solve that equation with a little over twenty minutes remaining. Off came Keegan, and on went Stephen Parkhouse, to make his first appearance against the club he moved from in the Summer. His impact was immediate, as he was up there, harrying defenders, holding the ball up, and making some good moves. The Glens now looked more lively, and it was clear that they were looking the more likely to score. Shaun Holmes curled a free kick just over the bar, followed by a drive from Paul Leeman, which went well over.

It was looking increasingly like the game would end in an agonising draw, as the ball just wouldn't go into the net. With about ten minutes to go, though, the Glens earned yet another corner on the left. Shaun Holmes flighted an out-swinger to the back post, and from seven yards out, Mark Glendinning rose highest to head the ball across the goal and into the top corner! The anxiety of the Glenmen instantly turned to euphoria. You had to feel sorry for Institute though. They had worked hard for the entire game, defended stoutly, and played some good football, yet all that was undone after SAS' leaping salmon act.

This victory means that the Glens have now successfully negotiated two consecutive potential banana skins within four days, at a stage when three points is all that matters. These guys really want that league. Who would bet against them achieving it?

Match report by Paul Wilson