SEPTEMBER saw Coleraine play six games in all competitions as the Bannsiders had several big games on home soil…
The month started with a game on Sunday as reigning champions Larne visited the Ballycastle Road. In an entertaining first-half, the Bannsiders held the half-time lead as Sam Todd was adjudged to have handled inside the box, allowing Matthew Shevlin to keep his cool from 12 yards. Coleraine were guilty missing several chances after the restart and paid the penalty – quite literally – as Andy Ryan netted an equaliser from the spot for the visitors after Conor McKendry was brought down inside the box as the game finished 1-1.
Connor Murray (right) in the heart of the action in a Premiership clash against Larne.
Premiership duty was then put to the side as a mixture of fringe players and some of the club’s bright young talents took to the pitch for a North-West Senior Cup quarter-final assignment at home to Moyola Park. The Stripes made a blistering start as they took an early lead through Tiarnan Brolly’s clever finish. However, Moyola turned the game on its head to lead at the interval as Shea McAuley and Nathan Clarke netted within a matter of minutes. Just when Coleraine looked like exiting the competition, they set-up penalty kick drama when Joel Gibson stabbed home an 85th-minute equaliser. Max Little, who was making his debut in the Coleraine goal, saved two penalties as Coleraine squeezed through to the semi-final stage.
Coleraine were then at home yet again as Carrick Rangers made the trip to the north Coast. After both teams spurned opportunities, the Bannsiders took the lead in fine style on the half hour mark when a stunning curling effort by Connor Murray found the back of the net for his first goal since arriving from Hamilton Academical on loan. However, the advantage would only last three minutes as the ball broke kindly to Paul Heatley inside the box and the ex-Crusaders ace made no mistake from close range. Dean Shiels’ side didn’t take long to forge ahead after the break as Mackenzie Carse also bagged his first Coleraine goal. After Dean Jarvis’ shot was parried by Ross Glendinning, the midfielder was in the right place at the right time to fire home. The three points were sealed on 73 minutes as Jamie Glackin’s corner-kick was headed into the net by Rhyss Campbell.
Rhyss Campbell is all smiles after finding the back of the net against Carrick Rangers.
A midweek trip to Portadown was next on the schedule as Coleraine suffered late frustration at Shamrock Park. The Bannsiders made a fast start in County Armagh and forged ahead on nine minutes when Rhyss Campbell wriggled into the box and fired beyond Aaron McCarey. On 69 minutes, it was 2-0 as Matthew Shevlin netted from the spot after Cameron Stewart was fouled inside the area. However, Niall Currie’s men would half the arrears on 75 minutes as Eamon Fyfe’s through ball deflected into the path of Ryan Mayse who kept his cool to dispatch into the far corner. As six minutes of stoppage time were added, the Bannsiders would suffer a sucker-punch as Liam Mullan’s cross was on the money for Dougie Wilson to slam home as the contest finished 2-2.
Stoppage time goals in both halves then helped Coleraine record a 2-0 victory against Loughgall at The Showgrounds. After a frustrating first-half, the Bannsiders finally made their pressure pay off in stoppage-time when Ciaron Harkin was brought down inside the area. The resulting spot-kick by Jamie McGonigle was slammed into the net via the crossbar. McGonigle was replaced at the interval by strike partner Matthew Shevlin and almost got in on the act with his first contribution. The marksman was sent through on goal but his lob went the wrong side of Gartside’s post. As Loughgall pushed forward to grab an equaliser, Coleraine ensured all three points on the counter attack as Shevlin was played through and he dispatched beyond Gartside.
Dean Jarvis watches on as the Bannsiders picked up all three points at home to Loughgall.
The month ended with the visit of Linfield to the Ballycastle Road but it would prove to be a difficult afternoon as the Blues left with all three points. Linfield would strike first as a long ball found Matthew Fitzpatrick on the right wing and he cut the ball back for Joel Cooper whose powerful shot rifled the ball into the top of the net. The pressure from the visitors would yield a second goal as Kirk Millar’s corner kick went directly into the back of the net. A first-half to forget continued thereafter when Linfield made it 3-0 through Kyle McClean who converted his chance in the box after he received a low cross from the right wing after possession was given away in the Coleraine midfield. David Healy’s men were largely troubled after the restart as the Bannsiders lost for the second time.
Player of the Month: Cameron Stewart
Goal of the Month: Connor Murray vs Carrick Rangers