The Pen: Glasgow's loss to Ulster a setback but no need for panic

An opening day defeat to a spirited Ulster side is a real kick in the teeth. Even more so when you were winning when the clock turned red! It’s immensely frustrating for the squad and for Franco, who must’ve been pretty peeved to see his side lose this one.

Annoyingly, I wasn’t able to watch most of this one as I was at Monster Jam at the Hydro watching monster trucks drop like flies. But 147 miles away in Belfast, it was Warriors players dropping because of yellow cards that seriously hampered their chances of victory despite making the brighter start.

A close-range line out allowed Glasgow to pick up where they have so often left off by driving over the line from a rolling maul. If there are three things certain in life, it’s death, taxes and Johnny Matthews. The man was unstoppable. Game on. The conversion from Jordan was missed though and this, along with other opportunities would come back to haunt the Weegies.

Johnny Matthews opened his account for the season in Belfast (Image: SNS) Ulster battered and battered at the Warriors line just 10 minutes later by the marker put down by the Glasgow defence was something special. Yes they conceded a penalty and lost 3 points from it but they would not let the men from Belfast get over the whitewash. It was super-human.

But just a couple of minutes on from that, the Ulstermen were celebrating their first try of the season. A brave charge down on a Tom Jordan kick from Aidan Morgan followed by a couple of phases ended with Morgan getting the ball under Richie Gray and over the line. Jordan was left to rue the error

But Glasgow were back in front a short time later as Henco Venter smashed his way over the line following sustained Warriors pressure. That was the end of the first half scoring. The Warriors would have been disappointed that they couldn’t make further visits to the Ulster 22 count and keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Henco Venter scored the Warriors' second try at Kingspan Stadium (Image: SNS) They started the second half with a blitz on the Ulster half and across the line they went with Rory Darge dotting down in the corner. But there was a clear forward pass in the build up to the score and it was rightly chalked off.

Stephen Ferris said on Premier Sports that Glasgow should have been 25 points up by this 50 minute mark and you can’t help but feel he was right.

And then came the first of several self inflicted wounds. Jordan went in high at the breakdown and his should certainly made contact with the chin of Moore. It was reviewed and inevitably, it ended in Jordan taking a 10-minute breather. That said, Moore did look like he made the most of the incident and looked like he’d been floored by Daniel Dubois.

Glasgow rode the storm that Ulster brought to the Warriors line, and even when the Irishmen did cross, the Warriors defence caused Ulster to knock on and the chance was lost.

It was defending like your life depended on it but for repeated infringements, Richie Gray made his way to the bin. From the very next phase of play, Glasgow held Ulster up again and you sensed that maybe, a first win against Ulster in Belfast since 2013 was on.

Richie Gray and Tom Jordan were both sent to the sin-bin late on (Image: SNS) But no. Ulster finally breached the Glasgow line and McCann just got the ball down and no more Conversion missed, three points up and seven minutes to go with 14 men, it looked like Glasgow were done for.

But Glasgow went up the other end and with some incredible handling and swashbuckling rugby, Steyno skipped over the line and put Glasgow in the lead with just four minutes to go. Hastings added the conversion and it was a four-point lead as the clock went red. Job done?

Nope! Ulster drew penalties from the Warriors, showed incredible patience and persistence, backed themselves and Dave Shanahan buried his way under a sea of Warriors legs. Glasgow snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

Ultimately, there was no one for Glasgow to blame but themselves. Glasgow battered Ulster and should have been taken their chances when in the red zone. They didn’t and they paid the price for it.

Ulster fly-half Aidan Morgan celebrates his try (Image: Getty Images) And it means that even this early on in the season, Friday night against Benetton is pretty important. Now yes it’s only the second game of the season but it would be a four-game losing streak including the pre-season games if the Italians take the W

Now, before the doom mongers stop reading here I’m not pressing the panic button. I’m pressing the much bigger ‘I wouldn’t say I’m worried, more mildly concerned button’.

This squad is excellent, collectively and individually and we have a URC winning coach at the helm. There is no need to panic.

In all honesty, I think Friday night will see a response from the boys. At home, under the lights and in front of a rabid support, I genuinely don’t see us losing this one, but we have to sharpen up and take our chances against a side that is improving all the time.

Glasgow haven't won a match since their URC grand final triumph (Image: Getty) Benetton have players who can match it with the bigger sides in the competition and they’ll be eager to get their first win of the season as well, having drawn with Scarlets.

There needs to be a reaction and we as fans need to be the spark for that. Make as much noise, bring the flags, the scarves… everything and anything that you can do to make sure we come away from the ground happy with a victory. I know that the good people of the official supporters club, The XVIth Warrior will be making as much noise as they can, so the rest of the ground needs to match their passion and get the place rocking!!!!