THREE competitions and seven games were on the schedule during October as the Bannsiders had a mixed bag of results…
Coleraine commenced October with a lengthy trip to Ballinamallard United in the second round of the BetMcLean Cup. In what was the Bannsiders’ first trip to Ferney Park since 2018, they lead by two goals at the break as Matthew Shevlin twice converted from Corey Smith’s crosses. Coleraine ensured their name would be in the hat for the second round draw as they went 3-0 ahead on 58 minutes. An inch-perfect free-kick by Jamie McGonigle from 25 yards left Mallards stopper Joel Little with no chance. On 80 minutes, Coleraine made it 4-0 as a clever pass by Kyle Spence allowed Senan Devine through on goal. The teenager rounded the ‘keeper but sent the ball too wide for a shot himself and crossed for McGonigle to apply a simple finish.
Jamie McGonigle celebrates his goal against Ballinamallard United.
However, missed chances cost Coleraine dear in their next Premiership task as they were beaten by Crusaders at Seaview. The two teams went into the break level as Stewart Nixon’s emphatic finish for the Crues was cancelled out by Dylan Boyle’s low effort. In truth, the Bannsiders should have been ahead thereafter as Jamie Glackin fired wide from an inviting position. After a slow start to the second-half, Coleraine found themselves behind yet again on 56 minutes after losing possession from their own throw-in. As a result, Jordan Stewart was played through one-on-one with Max Little and he made no mistake with a clinical finish. With 20 minutes remaining, Coleraine will feel they should have made it 2-2 as a slick move saw Jamie McGonigle being thwarted by Johnny Tuffey, with Matthew Shevlin unable to keep the rebound from close range on target as the Bannsiders left empty-handed.
Dean Shiels’ side then secured a final spot in the North-West Senior Cup after a 3-1 win against neighbours Limavady United. On a crisp evening on the Ballycastle Road, Coleraine hit the front with less than five minutes on the clock as the ball worked its way to Kyle Spence inside the box and the winger smashed home his first goal for the club since his summer move to The Showgrounds. Just three minutes into the second-half, Coleraine made it 2-0 in fortuitous circumstances as a dangerous cross by Corey Smith inadvertently went over the head of Ricky Purcell and into the net as the winger also got off the mark for the Stripes. That two-goal lead was quickly evaporated as United pulled a goal back on 53 minutes. A through ball found the run of substitute Alex Pomeroy and the striker made no mistake with a clinical finish beyond Max Little. However, the job was completed on 77 minutes as the lively Smith beat two players and found an unmarked Mackenzie Carse inside the box and the Scotsman rippled the back of the net via the post.
Scottish love as Mackenzie Carse is congratulated by Kyle McClelland after netting in the North-West Senior Cup against Limavady United.
A few days later, the Stripes slipped to their third consecutive loss as they were beaten 2-1 by Carrick Rangers at Taylors Avenue. In what was Stephen Baxter’s first game in charge of the hosts, they made all the early running and forged ahead when Nedas Maciulaitis’ cross made its way to Paul Heatley inside the area and he finished beyond Max Little. Soon after, it was 2-0 as more lacklustre defending proved fatal as Maciulaitis once again provided the assist for Daniel Gibson to tap in at the back post. The Bannsiders did cut the deficit just before the hour mark through Jamie Glackin’s finish but they failed to find a leveller.
However, Coleraine ended their losing run in the Premiership by earning a 1-0 victory away at in-form Ballymena United. The Sky Blues came into the contest on the back of eight straight wins in the league as both teams traded chances in the opening 45 minutes, with Jamie McGonigle having a free-kick saved whilst Max Little had to thwart several Ballymena set-pieces. But the breakthrough arrived on 64 minutes to send the travelling support into raptures. After a cross from Jamie Glackin was blocked, the follow-up by Ciaron Harkin found Rhyss Campbell at the back post who glanced a header into the bottom right corner. Jim Ervin’s men carved out their best chance with little more than ten minutes remaining as a cross found ex-Coleraine man Aaron Jarvis inside the area who smashed the crossbar but the Stripes sealed the success.
Rhyss Campbell wheels away in delight after his match winner at Ballymena United.
Midweek action followed soon after as Coleraine made the journey to Cliftonville but became unstuck due to a Joe Gormley double. The Bannsiders were the architects of their own downfall as Cliftonville took the lead on 18 minutes. Graham Kelly attempted to clear his lines from a Coleraine throw-in but caught Rory Hale inside the box, which allowed Joe Gormley to dispatch from 12 yards. However, the Stripes grew into the contest and equalised in fine style on the half hour mark. Jamie Glackin robbed Shea Kearney in possession and slipped the ball into the path of Jamie McGonigle who expertly dispatched his shot into the far corner. Coleraine were then punished for missing chances before and after Gormley fired Cliftonville to all three points as the veteran marksman bagged the winner on 66 minutes.
However, the month ended on a positive note as Coleraine swept to a 2-1 victory against Glentoran on the Ballycastle Road. They had to do things the hard way, however, as the east Belfast side edged ahead on 20 minutes when Daniel Amos’ cross was headed into the net by Frankie Hvid. As Coleraine were shooting towards the Railway End in the second-half, they would profit from a Matthew Shevlin double to complete a stunning turnaround. The first arrived on 72 minutes when the striker turned and hit an unstoppable drive into the bottom corner, before repeating the trick soon after as Dean Jarvis’ cross was on the money for Shevlin to head home.
Player of the Month: Matthew Shevlin
Goal of the Month: Jamie McGonigle vs Ballinamallard United