Goalkeeper Billy Crellin has urged Glentoran to build momentum after their 2-0 victory away to Ballymena United. The win on Friday night at The Showgrounds, secured by late goals from Aaron McEneff and Marcus Kane, moved the Glens to second in the Premiership with six points from three games. The report was published by Glentoran on Friday, August 28, 2026.
Billy Crellin, making his third consecutive start, kept his second clean sheet of the campaign. The 26-year-old said the result was vital after the previous week's defeat to Linfield. "It was a massive game for us against Ballymena United on Friday night, coming off the defeat to Linfield," Crellin stated. He praised Aaron McEneff's composure from the spot, adding, "What a penalty it was from Aaron. It sums him up perfectly because he is such a player and so cool under pressure."
How did Glentoran beat Ballymena United?
The match was Ballymena's first home game of the season, and the hosts had recruited well over the summer. Glentoran had to be patient, breaking the deadlock late in the game. Aaron McEneff converted a penalty before captain Marcus Kane added a second to seal the three points. The result means Declan Devine's side have won two of their opening three league fixtures, scoring five goals and conceding just two for a healthy goal difference. They currently sit four points behind early leaders Coleraine FC.
What is the significance of the Crusaders fixture?
Attention now turns to a major test this Saturday at The BetMcLean Oval. Glentoran host Crusaders in a 3pm kick-off, with both teams locked on six points in the table. Crusaders have recovered from an opening-night loss to Cliftonville with consecutive victories, including a Saturday win over Portadown where Adam Brooks scored a hat-trick. This makes the upcoming match a direct six-pointer with implications for the early standings. Fans can check the full schedule on the club's fixtures page.
What does the win mean for squad morale?
The clean sheet and return of players like Elliott to the bench provide a boost. Crellin's run in the team came about after fellow goalkeeper Andrew picked up an injury before the season started. Securing a shut-out on the road builds defensive confidence ahead of a tough run of games. The current squad depth and form can be tracked via the official squad and stats pages.
Where does Glentoran go from here?
The immediate focus is fully on the Crusaders match. A win would consolidate their strong league position and provide a significant psychological edge over a direct rival. With a record of two wins and one loss, the team's recent form reads WLW. After the Crusaders game, the next scheduled Premiership fixture is a home match against Portadown on December 12th. The league table shows Portadown currently in 12th place. Supporters can follow the evolving title race on the standings page. For now, the message from the dressing room, led by Crellin, is clear: build on the Ballymena performance and take that momentum into the next challenge.
