H&W Welders will be hoping to spring a new year’s surprise on east Belfast big brothers Glentoran when they clash at the Blanchflower Stadium on Friday night in the fifth round of the Clearer Water Irish Cup.
Less than two miles separate the clubs on a map, but these footballing neighbours have long been separated in the football divisions.
Currently the Glens are in a rich vein of form and are sitting in second position in the Premiership after defeating Portadown on Monday evening.
The Welders are fourth in the Championship table, but are in a purple patch themselves, going unbeaten in their last four outings, most recently seeing off Ballyclare Comrades 3-1.
Friday night’s meeting won’t be the first clash of the season between the pair.
Back in September Glentoran needed an injury time equaliser from James Singleton and penalty shootout victory to progress in a County Antrim Shield first round tie, giving Welders’ boss Paul Kee plenty of optimism heading into this game.
It may be away fixture for the premiership side, but Glentoran often train at Blanchflower Stadium so will be well accustomed to their surroundings. However, they will also need to be equally aware of the threats that the hosts will pose.
Glentoran defender Frankie Hvid knows they can’t afford to take their neighbours lightly: “We know we’ll be firm favourites going into this tie, but it’s cup football, and the Welders will be doing everything they can to cause an upset and secure a scalp against us. That’s why we need to be at our very best and approach this game with the same intensity and focus we bring to any match.
“We’ve analysed how they play, and they’ve got some really strong players, particularly in their attacking positions, so we’ll need to be at the top of our game defensively. We’ve been preparing well, and the goal is simple - book our place in the draw for the next round.
“Friday night under the lights at The Blanchflower Stadium will be a fantastic occasion. It’s a local derby game and we’re determined to deliver a strong performance for our supporters and start the New Year in the best way possible.”
Tiarnan O’Connor, the 22-year-old striker who has found the net 14 times in the league this season, is certainly one who will have caught the eye of Glens’ manager Declan Devine in his preparation, while Lewis Patterson and Kee’s son Josh have also impressed.
With a much greater budget it is no surprise that Devine’s side have threats all over the pitch, none more so than striker Jordan Jenkins who found the net twice at Portadown. The livewire is incredibly industrious and will know a thing or two about H&W, having spent last season at another east Belfast championship side, Dundela.
In addition, the opening of the January transfer window means new signings Christie Pattisson, Shane McEleney and Ciaran Coll are all now available for selection for the Glens.
Looking back at last year’s Irish Cup, both outfits had very different campaigns. The Welders lost out 1-4 to Larne in another difficult fifth-round draw. Glentoran on the other hand managed to make it all the way to the semi-finals of the competition, beating Annagh United, Ballymacash Rangers and Ballyclare en-route, before falling to Linfield at the last-four stage.