Glentoran made light work of Ballymena United as they romped to a 2-0 win to make it to the last four of the BetMcLean League Cup.
Jordan Jenkins and David Fisher got the goals at the Oval, in a game originally planned to be played at the Ballymena Showgrounds but was moved earlier today due to bad weather.
In bitingly cold conditions in east Belfast it was no surprise that the league’s in-form side, Glentoran, settled the quicker and had the first real opportunity on 15 minutes.
Cameron Palmer’s stinging drive from just inside the penalty area was superbly saved by Sean O’Neill.
The ball then fell to Fisher who looked certain to score, but somehow he managed to find O’Neill in goal, who saved the rebound with his foot.
Seconds later, Palmer was involved once more as his cross struck Daithi McCallion inside the penalty area. However, enthusiastic calls for handball from home fans and players did not persuade referee Evan Boyce to award a penalty as he waved play on.
United lost main goal threat Ben Kennedy just after the half-hour mark to injury, and almost went behind seven minutes from half-time when Danny Amos went close for Declan Devine’s men.
The winger cut inside from the left, onto his less-favoured right foot and unloaded a curling effort that beat O’Neill in nets but rebounded away to safety off the angle of crossbar and post as Sky Blues’ boss Jim Ervin breathed a sigh of relief.
The visitors brought their first phase of pressure in the opening 15 minutes of the second half,
Joe Moore shot just wide of the post after escaping the attentions of the Glentoran defence on the hour mark.
But the pressure was to be short-lived as the ever-dangerous Jenkins struck a superb effort from outside the box that gave O’Neill no chance in goal.
The Glens would soon double their lead with five minutes remaining as Fisher stroked the ball past Sean O’Neill after a Ballymena United defensive slip-up.
Devine’s men will now meet Crusaders in the semi-final of the competition.
Glentoran: Gyollai, Lyons-Foster, Sule (c), Connolly, Palmer, McEleney, Fisher, Amos, Singleton, Russell, Jenkins.
Subs: Mills, Donnelly, Aouachria, Murphy, Lindsay, Pattison, Thorndike.
Ballymena United: O’Neill (c), Nelson, Rocks, Gawne, Jarvis, Kennedy, Loughran, McCallion, McMurray, McEleney, Carson.
Subs: Stewart, Moore, Scott, O’Donnell, O’Mahony, Hawe, Hood.