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2020-21 Season Review: October

OCTOBER would see Coleraine finalise their pre-season schedule as the Danske Bank Premiership campaign got underway…

The Bannsiders would welcome Loughgall to The Showgrounds and after being on double duty that weekend, boss Oran Kearney fielded a mixture of first-team players and ones for the future as Robert McLean, Lewis Tosh, Caiolan Brennan, Eoghan Devine and Rhys Tredrea were all given a chance to impress. Coleraine would have a half-time lead through Eoin Bradley and it was doubled within 10 minutes of the restart as Stewart Nixon romped home. The visitors would ensure a tense finish as substitute Rhys Tredrea was penalised for a foul inside the box. The ball was grabbed by Ross Hunter who comfortably dispatched his spot kick to reduce the arrears to a single goal as Coleraine held firm in the last seven minutes to claim victory.

A day later, Coleraine would be home again as they hosted Dergview in the semi-final of the Eventsec North-West Cup. The deadlock was broken just two minutes before the half-time whistle as Sean McCarron netted from the spot after he was brought down inside the area by Martin Gallagher. Ivan Sproule’s men would double their lead just three minutes into the second-half and in spectacular style as Young let fly from distance that gave Gallagher no chance. Just seconds after Paul Wells made a superb stop to deny Curtis Allen’s header from finding the back of the net, Coleraine were awarded a penalty as the ball struck the arm of Dergview skipper Blaine Burns. Regular penalty taker Ben Doherty made no mistake as he arrowed the ball into the back of the net but Dergview held on to reach the final.

On transfer deadline day, Coleraine would confirm the permanent signing of Gareth Deane from Linfield on a two-year deal. The custodian had initially impressed on a short-term loan deal and this was made permanent as Coleraine prepared for the start of the league season.

The Stripes would kick-start their Danske Bank Premiership campaign by hosting Ballymena United at The Showgrounds. There would be drama before a ball was kicked as the Northern Ireland Executive ruled that there should be no crowds at games but fans were given the all clear to attend. In a drab opening to the game, the Sky Blues would make the breakthrough on 27 minutes as defender Kofi Balmer was left unmarked inside the box and he headed home. Eight minutes later, United almost profited from another corner kick but Ciaran Kelly was unable to direct a header on target. However, there would be drama before the half-time whistle as a seventh player would be sent-off in the derby in the last nine matches. As Coleraine looked to go on the counter attack with Stewart Nixon, the ex-Carrick Rangers ace was brought down by Joshua Kelly and after initially receiving a yellow card by Andrew Davey, the whistler reversed the decision and displayed a red. The Bannsiders would only make their extra man count after the hour mark as James McLaughlin tested Glendinning from distance, before the same player would blaze over the crossbar after neat build-up play by Nixon. On 65 minutes, Oran Kearney’s men thought they had grabbed an equaliser as McLaughlin could only strike against the post, with the rebound falling at the feet of Josh Carson but his effort was cleared off the line by Trai Hume. The visitors were able to soak up all the pressure to leave with all three points.

Coleraine were next on their travels against Portadown in a match that was played with just home supporters in attendance. Oran Kearney’s men would be rewarded for their quick to start to proceedings as Keith Kennedy pointed to the spot after Greg Hall was adjudged to have handled inside the box. After seeing his penalty saved by Pierce, the alert Ben Doherty was on hand to fire home the rebound on eight minutes. In a similar fashion to the first-half, Coleraine would make a bright start to the second 45 minutes as they doubled their lead through Jamie Glackin. A corner found its way to the attacker inside the box – and with his back to goal – the ex Dungannon Swifts man was able to turn and convert from close range. However, things went from bad to worse for the hosts on 64 minutes as striker Lee Bonis was dismissed for a second bookable offence. Two minutes later, Coleraine almost made their extra count as Stewart Nixon rattled the crossbar from 25 yards. The three points were secured on 89 minutes as a cross from the left by Josh Carson wasn’t cleared and the ball landed at the feet of McLaughlin who steered home from 12 yards.

The month would conclude with the visit of Glentoran to The Showgrounds. Bannsiders boss Oran Kearney named an unchanged line-up for a third successive game and his troops made a bright start as they took the lead on six minutes. A free-kick from the left by Ben Doherty was glanced into the bottom corner by captain Stephen O’Donnell for his first goal of the season. The hosts’ pressure would pay dividends in first-half stoppage time as they doubled their advantage. The impressive Lowry would pick up possession and weighted a perfect through ball into the path of Doherty who confidently slotted past Dayle Coleing. However, the game would change on its head on 63 minutes as McLaughlin was dismissed for a tackle on Glentoran defender Bobby Burns. After a considerable delay, the Northern Ireland under-21 international had to be stretchered off the pitch. On 84 minutes, Coleraine had ‘keeper Gareth Deane to thank as he made a superb save to keep out McDaid’s effort after the forward had been picked out by Seanan Clucas. On 89 minutes, the visitors would ensure there would be a nervy finish as Caolan Marron’s cross picked out Jay Donnelly and he steered a header into the bottom corner. Eight minutes of additional time were signalled by the assistant referee but despite Glentoran pressure, the Bannsiders held firm to clinch a deserved three points.