​Glentoran suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat at home to RFS in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League first round qualifier, as the two teams clashed at the Oval in a tightly contested encounter that sets up a decisive second leg in Latvia next week. Debutant Zeno Rossi gave Glentoran the lead with a headed finish seven minutes before half-time, prompting a reaction from the visitors who drew level just before the break when Martins Kigurs converted from close range after Billy Crellin initially tipped his effort onto the post. Kigurs then struck again 20 minutes from time to secure the win for RFS, delivering a long-range strike from 30 yards that found the back of the net and proved decisive as Glentoran paid the price for their earlier goal.
RFS began the match with intent, pushing forward early and having an effort ruled out for a foul in the buildup as Rostand Ndjiki thought he had broken the deadlock in the 21st minute. The linesmen and the referee disagreed, and the home side remained ahead. Glentoran struck just before the interval when Rossi, on his competitive debut for the club, headed Ryan Cooney’s free-kick into the net at the near post, beating Jevgenijs Nerugals with a well-placed finish. The goal sparked a reaction from RFS, who pressed for a quick equalizer as the clock ticked toward halftime.
The second half saw RFS increase their intensity, and Kigurs twice looked to make his mark from close range in the early stages, with Crellin foiling the first attempt before Kigurs found the net on the second attempt after a goal-saving touch from Crellin had buffered the initial strike. Kigurs’ goal levelled the scores and gave RFS momentum as the visitors sought to overturn the deficit.
Moments later, Stefan Panic combined with Ndjiki to create another promising attacking move for RFS, but his effort sailed narrowly over the crossbar, keeping the tie firmly in Glentoran’s hands at that stage. Kigurs had a glorious chance to complete his hat-trick and seal the victory soon after, but could not convert after a well-worked sequence from Ndjiki down the left flank created space and opportunity.
The decisive moment arrived midway through the second half when Kigurs struck again, this time from 30 yards, guiding the ball beyond Crellin to put RFS ahead for good. The goal gave the Latvian side a slender advantage to defend in the return leg and left Glentoran with work to do as they prepared to travel to Riga for the second leg next Thursday, July 16.
RFS will travel to Latvia with the advantage, knowing that another positive result will book their place in the next round of the Conference League qualifiers. Glentoran, facing a must-win scenario on the road, will aim to overturn the deficit and claim a famous away victory to advance in Europe’s Premier Cup competition. The tie now heads back to the Baltic state as both teams prepare for a high-stakes second leg, with Glentoran seeking to turn the tide and secure a spot in the next round. The Oval clash exhibited a spirited banner of European ambitions from both sides, and the second leg promises to deliver more drama and a test of nerve as the campaign progresses.