Hi °C | Lo °C Dungannon Swifts were left to rue conceding two gifted goals during a decent performance against one of the best teams in the league on Saturday.
Outside of the first half generosity, Swifts held Glentoran scoreless but could only manage one goal — despite plenty of possession.
Gary Hamilton was first on the scoresheet, finishing neatly from close range after a cross from Darryl Fordyce was missed by the home defence. Within one minute, Timmy Adamson was denied by Elliot Morris and Swifts conceded a penalty, Colin Nixon converting.
Swifts bounced back perfectly, scoring before the half-hour when Adamson headed home a Darragh Peden throw-in; but they couldn’t improve on that.
While it is another defeat for Swifts, for 19-year-old defender Fergal McAliskey, it was an encouraging performance and a positive indication of their ability.
“There is no doubt that it was far from the right result. If you take out the mistakes that led to the goals, I think we have a lot to be happy with. We had plenty of play, although possibly not enough shots” said McAliskey, an accountancy student at Queens. "I think that that was in part due to the Glens defence which, I felt, had to work hard to keep us out of the game.
“There are so many elements to a good game and one we are lacking is the rub of the green Glentoran got that in this game. We had our chances but we didn’t have any good fortune.
"I had a shot blocked by the keeper but he couldn’t hold it. Yet, as luck would have it, even though we had plenty of players in the box, the spill fell kindly for them allowing the clearance.
“Now we have to take the good out of this game and make a couple of good opportunities work for us with Bangor and Institute next up.
"Wins in these games won’t be easy but are necessary if we are to get our season’s ambitions going again” added McAliskey, a home-grown star for Swifts.
