2019-20 Season Review: October

OCTOBER would prove to be a profitable month for the Bannsiders as they registered six wins in all competitions as Oran Kearney and Ben Doherty claimed monthly awards…

Coleraine started October with a visit to Carrick Rangers and would make the perfect start as Eoin Bradley broke the deadlock on 12 minutes as he powered home from close range. However, Carrick responded on 26 minutes as Stewart Nixon was fouled inside the box by Gareth McConaghie, with Caolan Loughran dispatching the resulting spot kick. On the stroke of half-time, Coleraine would regain the lead as Nedas Maciulaitis’ shot was deflected into the net by Loughran. On 63 minutes, the advantage was stretched even further as Aaron Jarvis headed in at the back post, with Aaron Traynor completing the scoring with his first goal in Coleraine colours.

Jamie Glackin heads in the opener against Glentoran in the BetMcLean League Cup.

The Bannsiders would then turn their attentions to the BetMcLean League Cup as they were handed home advantage against Glentoran. In a slow start to proceedings, the game would spark into life just before the half hour mark as Glentoran defender James McCarthy was dismissed for a second bookable offence after a foul on Jamie Glackin as both sides went in goalless at the break. The deadlock was broken on 60 minutes as Glackin guided a header into the bottom corner from Ian Parkhill’s delivery, before the lead was doubled six minutes later as Ben Doherty kept his composure from the spot. However, Glentoran ensured there would be a grandstand finish as Navid Nasseri scored with his first touch after coming on a substitute. There would be a scare for Oran Kearney’s men with nine minutes to go as Jonny Frazer found the back of the net, but thankfully the goal was ruled out for offside as Coleraine held on to book a quarter-final spot.

In a busy week, Coleraine would earn their third win in seven days against Warrenpoint Town at The Showgrounds. The Bannsiders hit the front on 22 minutes as Nedas Maciulaitis was brought down inside the area by ‘Point defender Danny Wallace. The responsibility was given to Ben Doherty who expertly found the bottom corner. The lead would be doubled before the break as Eoin Bradley let fly with a free-kick 25 yards from goal that went via the post for his fifth goal of the season. In a below-par second-half, the visitors should have given themselves a lifeline when Anto Reilly was denied at close range by Chris Johns, with Coleraine grabbing a late third as Doherty scored his second of the game from close range after his penalty was saved.

Coleraine boss Oran Kearney pictured after the Bannsiders’ 2-0 win against Crusaders.

Oran Kearney’s men would then move top of the Danske Bank Premiership on goal difference with a 2-0 win against Crusaders at Seaview. The Bannsiders hit the front on 17 minutes from the penalty spot after Eoin Bradley was upended in the box by Crusaders defender Chris Hegarty. The responsibility was given to Ben Doherty who kept his cool from 12 yards. The Stripes had two chances through Doherty and Aaron Jarvis early in the second-half to double the lead, with Paul McElroy going close at the other end. However, the three points were secured on 90 minutes as Doherty bagged a second from the penalty spot after he was brought down by Jordan Forsythe inside the area.

The big fixtures would keep on coming as league champions Linfield were the visitors to the Ballycastle Road. The Bannsiders made a bright start to proceedings and threatened early doors through Aaron Traynor, Ben Doherty and Eoin Bradley, but all three failed to break the deadlock. On 20 minutes, Linfield almost grabbed the lead as a fantastic strike by Bastien Hery rattled the post with Chris Johns rooted to the spot, with Hery threatening once again before the break. However, in a cagey second-half, the winner would arrive on 82 minutes as Jamie Glackin’s corner-kick was headed into his own net by Mark Stafford as Coleraine celebrated all three points.

Coleraine players celebrate Aaron Canning’s late winner against Linfield.

The final match of the month would see Coleraine face Championship side Dundela in the quarter-final of the BetMcLean League Cup. There would be no fear of an upset as the Bannsiders led by three goals at the break, courtesy of a hat-trick from Ben Doherty, which included a sublime first goal from 25 yards.To their credit, Dundela didn’t drop their heads and they pulled a goal back through Owain Beggs, but the three goal cushion was restored as Alexander Gawne came off the bench to score a simple tap-in, before Josh Carson found the bottom corner for his first goal of the season.

Unsurprisingly, Coleraine boss Oran Kearney was named as Manager of the Month, with Ben Doherty also scooping the Player of the Month gong.

colerainefc.com Goal of the Month winner: Ben Doherty vs Dundela
Garvagh, Kilrea and District Coleraine Supporters’ Club Player of the Month: Aaron Canning