For in this edition of El Belfastico, Glentoran broke the Blues dominance

One of the most celebrated and filled with headlines match in the so-called Belfastico or Belfast Derby, considered as one of the longest of rivalries between Glentoran and Linfield.

Ever since this contest began, the Linfield Blues have shown an upper hand.

This time ended courtesy of a late score from one of the Glens player ending Linfield all around winning streak and control in these contests.

With these two titans, first ever meeting between these two, dating since October 1, 1887 and so far the Linfield bunch having the best part in these meetings with 221 wins over 128 wins from Glentoran’s and 106 draws.

As this meeting considered one of the most popular and attended in the NIFL, whenever these two squads take part and always these Derbies to set to play on Boxing Day, this time the Glnes were to host this edition of El Belfastico.

With the Oval showing off its best, the Glentoran Boys were ready to make this match a total contest and try with their best efforts to net an important result, despite the Blues having the upper hand and to obtain a positive score considered an overall challenge.

As he tale of the tape showed a local Glentoran with 29 points and placed in sixth spot in the overall table, as for the Blues battling with Clintonville the fourth position and with 40 points, the odds of David Healy and company was enormous.

Still the long story of the Sandy Row Boys from South Belfast coming as heavily favorites to win another edition of the Derby after a six consecutive years of total dominance over the Glens, today the outcome became a little different in the final score of this match.

This time the Glens manager was ready for the faceoff against one of his squad most antagonized of foes, and sending a 4-2-3-1 formation with a lone striker in Curtis Allen accompanied by a threesome in Jonathan Smith, Dylan Davinson and James Knowles.

In the Blues corner manager Healy with a more offensive 4-4-2 formation with Nial Quinn and Robert Garrett up front leading the offense for the visiting crew, this match had all the elements of an all-around contest.

These matches have, the tendency of being a total sold out for the display of good and highly disputed football whenever these two squads meet, as the Oval was to a near sold out but still was one raucous venue.

As the opportunities galore for the local Glens and a goal annulled after a clear offside, the Blues opened the hostiles with an early goal in the 26 minute via Cameron Stewart for the opening lead after a miscalculated pass from the local’s defense.

This to the delight of the visiting Blues followers in the Oval and support their Boys.

However before the half ended, the Glens rally for the equalizer, after a foul on one of the Glens player that created a still play and a free kick that in the rebound Curtis Allen converted in the 43 minute.

As the second half being in its last minutes played on injury time, it’s when a solid Glens play became an own goal for the Blues that at the end became the game winner in the 91 minute.

At the end the visitors score that could become the equalizer, the flagman annulled the goal, for the joy of the local Glentoran fans seeing their side win with style.

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Photos Credit and Property of Coleraine FC and INPHO/Brian Little 2017

Photos Credit and Property of © 2017 Northern Ireland Football League