BetMcLean Cup: Glentoran see off Cliftonville on penalties to reach semi-finals

Glentoran had an early flurry of pressure which saw PJ Morrison quickly adjust his feet to dive to his left to turn a Jordan Stewart shot wide after it had deflected off the outstretched foot of Reds defender Odhran Casey.

From the resultant Ryan Cooney corner, Marcus Kane’s volley was palmed away by Morrison.

The home side continued to dominate the early exchanges with Stewart cutting inside and firing a fierce shot which Morrison dived to his left to push away.

Glentoran came close again when David Fisher laid the ball into the path of Kane, but his shot clipped the outside of the side netting on its way past.

Cliftonville’s first real opening came half an hour in when Joe Gormley latched onto a through ball, but his low shot was saved by the outstretched boot of Glens keeper Billy Crellin.

Glentoran continued to dominate in the second period, but were wasteful in front of goal, while Cliftonville were also threatening in sporadic attacks.

The game was stretched in extra time with both sides creating good scoring opportunities, but neither was able to strike the decisive blow.

The deadlock was eventually broken six minutes into the second period of extra time when Rory Hale’s free-kick was nodded down by Jack Keaney and McWoods got in between defenders to squeeze a shot past Crellin.

However, Cliftonville’s lead only lasted four minutes as a Danny Amos’ corner was eventually helped back into the penalty area and Jenkins was alert to divert the ball home from close range.

In the penalty shootout the first nine spot kicks were successfully converted until Gordan’s effort was saved by Billy Crellin to put Glentoran through.