GOALKEEPER Dániel Gyollai hailed Glentoran’s “personality and character” after coming from a goal down to win 2-1 at Loughgall – and move into second spot in the Sports Direct Premiership.
Joe Thomson – who joined from Larne this week – sparkled on his Glens debut with a double, the winner a late penalty. Nathaniel Ferris had given the basement side a first-half lead at Lakeview Park.
The win maintains the momentum for Declan Devine’s side who landed the Co Antrim Shield by beating Larne in a penalty shoot-out at Seaview on Tuesday night and have a massive Irish Cup last-16 tie against bitter rivals Linfield at the Oval on Friday night, with the League Cup final to come against Cliftonville in March.
The Blues moved 16 points clear the top on Saturday night – having played a game more – with a 2-1 win over Cliftonville at Windsor Park.
And keeper Gyollai, who produced a stunning double stop to keep the Villagers at bay and provide the platform for Thomson to score seconds later, said: “Brilliant debut by Joe Thomson, he took the initiative with the penalty. My save was just a reaction. I was just delighted to keep the ball out.”
He added: “As the season has progressed we have gelled. Sometimes a match like this is down to personality and character. Sometimes things don’t go your way but we just kept knocking on the door. We had 11 players missing through illness or injury.”
Thomson levelled with a spectacular strike 13 minutes from time before scoring from the spot with two minutes remaining after Ben Murdock was adjudged to have handled the ball.
As for the crunch cup showdown, Hungarian Gyollai said: “Friday night’s match against Linfield is massive for us, it’s another chance to push towards silverware and that’s always the target.”
Champions Larne made hard work of a 2-1 victory over Ballymena United at Inver Park, Andy Ryan and Dylan Sloan on target for the hosts who trail Linfield by 22 points but with six matches in hand due to European commitments.
Matthew Shevlin equalised with the last kick of the game to secure Coleraine a 1-1 draw with Dungannon at Stangmore Park, the Swifts slipping to third spot.
A Paul McGovern goal in added time clinched a 2-1 win for Glenavon against Carrick Rangers at Mourneview Park.
Goals from Harry Franklin, Jordan Forysthe and Harry Jewitt-White helped Crusaders to a dramatic 3-2 victory over Portadown at Seaview.