Duncan Ferguson finally secured his first victory as Glentoran manager following a dramatic late finish under the Friday night lights at the Oval. After starting his tenure with two consecutive draws, the former Everton striker celebrated a home debut win in the Irish Premiership.
Late Drama Secures Historic Win
Jordan Stewart, whom Ferguson nicknamed the “wee man” after his opening match, marked his recent contract extension by scoring the initial goal of the fixture. The game remained largely uneventful until the 83rd minute when Ben Cushnie equalized for Bangor against his former club.
However, teenager Cal Weatherup delivered the decisive moment with three minutes remaining. Rushing onto a long ball, the substitute slotted his shot between the legs of advancing goalkeeper Patrick Solis Grogan to seal the victory.
Ferguson expressed his joy after the final whistle, stating, “I’m delighted to get my first three points at home, I’m absolutely made up. The boys kept on going until the very end.”
Building Momentum in the Irish Premiership
Ferguson’s managerial debut in the league was initially postponed on 24 October due to Storm Boelo and a waterlogged pitch against Ballymena United. His dugout debut eventually came with a draw at Coleraine, followed by a goalless stalemate away at Carrick Rangers.
Reflecting on the match, Ferguson noted that his team sat too deep in the second half before conceding the equalizer. Nevertheless, he praised the resilience and character of his squad, and expressed happiness for 18-year-old Weatherup, who had replaced Pat Hoban during the second half.
Glentoran sits 14 points behind league leaders Linfield with a game in hand, while rival contenders Coleraine and Larne also claimed victories on Friday. Preparing for their next test at home against Cliftonville, Ferguson emphasized that the team needs to improve its attacking output while maintaining defensive stability.
The manager maintains a cautious approach regarding the club’s title ambitions, focusing instead on taking each fixture as it comes. “We’ve just got to keep going. I think that is seven or eight games undefeated now,” Ferguson added. “We have to keep going and keep winning. We’re a big club and the fans want us to keep winning, and I’m glad we got the three points for them today.”
