Season Review

December

2019-20 Season Review: December

COLERAINE would reach the final of the BetMcLean League Cup and earn the Boxing Day bragging rights in December…

Aaron Jarvis would score in the 3-0 win against Linfield, as well as net a brace in the 2-2 draw versus Glentoran

The Bannsiders would confirm their spot in the final of the BetMcLean League Cup in February after a 3-0 win in the capital. In an under-par first-half, it would be Linfield who create the majority of the chances as Jamie Mulgrew, Matthew Clarke and Stephen Fallon all went close to breaking the deadlock. On 40 minutes, Coleraine had ‘keeper Chris Johns to thank as he made a one-on-one save to deny Shayne Lavery. The Bannsiders made a bright start to the second-half and threatened on two occasions as Ben Doherty’s goal-bound effort was blocked by the legs of Jamie Glackin, before Aaron Jarvis’ header was straight down the throat of Rohan Ferguson. However, Coleraine would turn the game on its head in a devastating 20-minute spell as Aaron Canning nodded home from close range, before Ben Doherty’s cross went over the head of Ferguson to double the lead, with Jarvis’ header wrapping up a memorable win.

The Bannsiders would remain in second spot in the Danske Bank Premiership after picking up a point against Glentoran at The Showgrounds. The home side would fall behind on 13 minutes as the ball landed at the feet of Robbie McDaid who powered home past Chris Johns. In a further blow, Glentoran would double their lead on 35 minutes as a poor pass across the back four was profited by Paul O’Neill who pounced from close range at the second attempt. Oran Kearney’s men needed a big second-half and they got a lifeline on 48 minutes as a 30-yard thunderbolt from Aaron Jarvis struck the post and went into the back of the net. This spurred Coleraine into life and they had chances through James McLaughlin, Jamie Glackin and Jarvis to find the equaliser. However, when it looked like it might not be their day, a second goal of the afternoon from Jarvis levelled the scores. Both teams would have late chances to snatch all three points as Darren Murray fired over the bar for the visitors, with Ben Doherty hitting straight at Marijan Antolovic at the other end.

Coleraine would have to settle for a share of the spoils against Larne.

Next up for the Bannsiders would be an away trip to Larne and they made a poor start after falling behind on eight minutes as a defensive lapse allowed Davy McDaid to bore down on goal, and after Johnny McMurray’s effort was saved by Chris Johns, ex-Coleraine striker McDaid was on hand to fire into an empty net. In wintery conditions at Inver Park, Coleraine responded and equalised on 38 minutes as Eoin Bradley expertly turned and fired into the top corner from a tight angle. Then, right on the stroke of half-time, the visitors would take the lead as Josh Carson was in the right place to bundle the ball into the net from a corner kick. The second-half was a more cagey affair with James McLaughlin being denied by Devlin, before Larne equalised through Mark Randall’s close range finish. Coleraine would have one final chance to earn all three points but an inspired Devlin denied Bradley from close range.

The Bannsiders would slip down to fourth spot in the Danske Bank Premiership after suffering a defeat to Cliftonville at Solitude. Coleraine should have broken the deadlock on two minutes as Gareth McConaghie’s long ball found James McLaughlin inside the box. The striker had the vision to pick out Jamie Glackin inside the area but he failed to find the target from close range. After Ben Doherty went close on two occasions, Cliftonville threatened as Chris Johns was called into action to deny McMenamin. The second-half started in slow fashion and it took until after the hour mark for the first chance to arrive as McLaughlin was denied by Brush, with Cliftonville striker Joe Gormley going close at the other end as he forced Johns into a save. The Bannsiders would be thwarted by Brush once again with 15 minutes to go as the stopper somehow denied Josh Carson from close range. The Reds would secure all three points on 84 minutes as a deep cross by Aaron Donnelly found McMenamin at the back post and he steered the ball into the net via the crossbar.

The Bannsiders would return to winning ways on Boxing Day after first-half goals from Josh Carson and Jamie Glackin earned all three points against Ballymena United. The deadlock was broken on nine minutes as Aaron Canning’s long throw into the box was flicked on by Eoin Bradley into the path of Josh Carson. The midfielder let fly with a sweet left-foot drive that found the bottom corner beyond the reach of Jordan Williamson. Seven minutes later the home side would double their lead as Williamson denied Bradley from close range, but the ball rebounded into the path of Jamie Glackin who converted from close range. The Braidmen made a bright start after the break and earned a succession of corner-kicks, but they suffered a blow on 64 minutes as Williamson was adjudged to have handled Bradley’s effort outside the box and was dismissed by referee Jamie Robinson.

Cleraine players celebrate the 2-0 success against Ballymena United on Boxing Day.

The Bannsiders would end 2019 with a draw after an equaliser from Aaron Canning would ensure a share of the spoils against Linfield.The deadlock was broken on 13 minutes as Linfield midfielder Stephen Fallon let fly with a shot from distance and the ball landed in the top corner. Coleraine responded and threatened through Josh Carson before James McLaughlin fired over from Lyndon Kane’s cut back. After making a bright start to the second-half, the equaliser duly arrived on 55 minutes as Aaron Canning rose high from Ben Doherty’s corner kick to head home. Minutes later, James McLaughlin would be denied by Rohan Ferguson. The Blues would be reduced to 10 men on 73 minutes as Ryan McGivern was dismissed for a second bookable offence, before McLaughlin was brought down by ‘keeper Ferguson who was booked. David Healy’s men would nearly grab the lead as Chris Johns made a heroic save to deny Kirk Millar from close range. At the death, Coleraine should have grabbed all three points as Jamie Glackin found McLaughlin unmarked in the area but his effort was miraculously kept out by Ferguson.

Aaron Canning rises like a salmon to net against Linfield.

colerainefc.com Goal of the Month winner: Aaron Jarvis vs Glentoran
Garvagh, Kilrea and District Coleraine Supporters’ Club Player of the Month: Chris Johns