Report: Glentoran 1-1 Chester FC
A positive performance from Calum McIntyre’s men was enough for a draw against NIFL Premiership side Glentoran at the Oval.
Offrande Zanzala put the Seals in front early on with a fantastic volleyed finish before the hosts levelled in the second period through Joseph Thomson.
The Blues came out of the traps in quick fashion and could’ve led within the first 90 seconds.
Connor Woods’ corner found James Jones who had found a pocket of space within the Glentoran defensive unit but he couldn’t direct his header on target and the ball bounced wide.
Zanzala showed fantastic energy during the first period and was rewarded when Nathan Woodthorpe floated a delightful cross towards the home box in the 17th minute.
Zanzala managed to connect with power and the ball flew into the top corner from around ten yards.
A fantastic finish from the 28-year-old, who troubled the Glens’ defence throughout the afternoon.
The first major chance for the side based in East Belfast fell to captain Marcus Kane who struggled to direct his low effort towards goal after a flighted corner.
Lewys Benjamin was forced to display his reactive qualities late in the half when he kept out two dangerous efforts from forward Jordan Jenkins.
Glentoran came out firing after the interval and restored parity in the 50th minute through midfielder Thomson, who slotted a clinical finish into the bottom corner and gave Benjamin no chance in the Blues’ net.
The introduction of club captain Declan Weeks was immediately noticeable, with the midfielder involved in a number of dangerous moments soon after the hosts’ equaliser.
Fantastic inter-play between Weeks and Tom Peers inside the box culminated in a chance for the number seven from close-range but it was well blocked by the home defence.
Thomson almost doubled his tally for the afternoon when he managed to lob Benjamin only for Kevin Roberts to head away the goal-bound effort on the goal line.
Jenkins continued to cause problems in the latter stages but the Blues’ shot-stopper always seemed to have the answer, keeping him out again with a low save to a drilled strike with around 15 minutes left on the clock.
A very positive performance in our penultimate pre-season friendly, with the final one coming against Carlisle United at the Deva Stadium next Saturday.