NOVEMBER brought inconsistency for the Bannsiders as two league wins were joined by an exit in the BetMcLean Cup…
The month started in fine fettle as four-star Coleraine produced a stunning performance to beat Dungannon Swifts at The Showgrounds. As the first-half drew to a close, the Bannsiders took the lead in stoppage time when Jamie Glackin’s corner-kick was flicked goal-wards by Rhyss Campbell, allowing Matthew Shevlin to prod home from close range. However, that lead was quickly extinguished as the Swifts equalised two minutes after the restart. Leo Alves’ free-kick found the head of James Knowles at front post whose effort couldn’t be stopped. That was as good as it got for the Swifts as Coleraine hit a quickfire double to take the lead through Danny Wallace’s own goal and Shevlin’s close-range finish. Things would get even better for Coleraine and Shevlin, in particular, as he completed his hat-trick from the spot to seal a 4-1 success.
Coleraine celebrate regaining the lead against Dungannon Swifts at The Showgrounds.
The Stripes had enjoyed deep runs in the BetMcLean Cup in recent years but that was brought to a halt after suffering a late exit against Crusaders at Seaview. The Bannsiders made a blistering start and deservedly went ahead on 17 minutes when Connor Murray’s cross was headed into the net by Matthew Shevlin. Coleraine should have been in a more commanding position but their finishing let them down and Crusaders punished that by equalising when a Philip Lowry shot took a wicked deflection and the ball looped over Rory Brown and into the net. Both teams then traded chances as the game entered its latter stages as Jamie Glackin’s half volley went off target, before Brown had to be at full stretch to tip Jordan Stewart’s fierce drive over the crossbar. However, Crusaders had the final say as a delivery into the box by Jarlath O’Rourke found Lowry at the back post and he drilled a low effort into the bottom corner.
Next up was an away assignment against Conference League opponents Larne and the first-half proved to be a largely forgetful affair in east Antrim. However, Larne made the breakthrough just two minutes after the restart as Josh Seary’s cross found Paul O’Neill’s near post run and the striker converted beyond the reach of Max Little. Coleraine responded quickly to level when Lyndon Kane took centre stage. The skipper rampaged forward and cut the ball back for Jamie Glackin to smash home his third goal of the season. Six minutes later, Larne’s advantage was restored as Conor McKendry’s strike from distance whistled into the back of the net as Coleraine had everything to do yet again. The Bannsiders were thwarted at the death as Matthew Shevlin was somehow denied an equaliser by the toe of Logan Wallace.
Jack Scott battles for possession against Larne counterpart Paul O’Neill.
The following weekend Coleraine jumped up three places into 5th spot as they swept aside Loughgall at Lakeview Park. All the early pressure from the Bannsiders paid off as they took the lead with six minutes on the clock. Rhyss Campbell broke down the right-hand side and put in a searching cross which found the head of Matthew Shevlin who made no mistake. Coleraine then held a firm grip of the game as they doubled their advantage on 39 minutes. Jamie Glackin played Jamie McGonigle through one-on-one with Gartside and this time he made no mistake as he placed the ball beyond the reach of the Loughgall custodian for his fifth goal of the campaign. Things got even better before the half-time whistle for the Bannsiders as Dylan Boyle’s cross-field pass picked out McGonigle on the left-hand side. In a devastating counter-attack, McGonigle crossed for Campbell to lash home at the back post to make it 3-0. The second-half failed to live up to the heights as the first but Coleraine did add a fourth goal of the contest on 59 minutes. A corner-kick delivery was flicked into the path of Shevlin who had the simple task of finding the back of the net.
Picking up all three points against Loughgall at Lakeview Park.
Old nemesis Crusaders would come to haunt Coleraine yet again as they beat the Bannsiders by another 2-1 scoreline in front of the Sky Sports cameras. Like all the previous games against the Hatchetmen, Coleraine were guilty of missing chances and then fell behind with 20 minutes on the clock when a corner-kick delivery by Ross Clarke took a deflection off Ciaron Harkin and sailed into the net. The task was made even more difficult nine minutes later as Crusaders doubled their advantage. A weak back pass was seized upon by Kieran Offord and the on-loan star was able to take the ball around Max Little and slot into an empty net. After hitting the woodwork twice, Coleraine grabbed themselves a lifeline on 76 minutes as Dean Jarvis’ cross perfectly found Matthew Shevlin who headed in his 16th goal of the campaign – but they ended up empty-handed.
In the final game of the month, Coleraine got punished for not seeing the game out as Glenavon rallied from 3-1 down to earn a draw at Mourneview Park. The Bannsiders made a dream start in County Armagh as goals from Rhyss Campbell and Jamie Glackin had the visitors two goals ahead by 13 minutes. The Lurgan Blyes halved the arrears on 62 minutes when Peter Campbell’s cross on the left-hand side was hit goalwards by Chris Atherton, with the ball deflecting off David McDaid and into the net However, Coleraine restored their two-goal cushion almost instantly as Glackin’s deep free-kick picked out Cameron Stewart and the towering defender found the back of the net for his first goal since arriving in the summer. The drama would then unfortunately unfold as Glenavon were awarded a penalty when Campbell was brought down inside the box, allowing McDaid to make it 3-2. Glenavon ensured there would be a late sting in the tail by grabbing an equaliser in the 95th minute. A lay-down by Michael O’Connor inside the box was on the money for Matthew Snoddy to dispatch into the bottom corner.
Player of the Month: Matthew Shevlin
Goal of the Month: Jamie Glackin vs Larne