DECEMBER saw Coleraine start and end with victories but there would be disappointment on Boxing Day…
The BetMcLean Cup was the first task on the schedule as the Bannsiders made their way to Moyola Park for a quarter-final clash. After several sights of goal, Coleraine finally broke the deadlock just before the half hour mark when Cameron Stewart’s ball over the top released Alex Watson and he executed an effort into the net from a tight angle. The victory was completed in the second half and in fine style as Will Patching’s rasping drive from 25 yards left Andy Findlay rooted to the spot as the Bannsiders left with a 2-0 success.
A few days later, Premiership duty would recommence as Carrick Rangers visited the Ballycastle Road. Ruaidhri Higgins’ men were forced to do things the hard way to collect all three points as they were behind at half-time as Adam Lecky stabbed home from a corner kick. A turning point in the game arrived just five minutes after the restart when Aidan Harris made a remarkable save to deny Luke McCullough and Coleraine used that momentum to equalise through Charles Dunne’s close-range finish. With the game finely poised heading into the latter stages, Coleraine struck the decisive blow to take the lead on 84 minutes as two substitutes combined. A fine pass by Joel Cooper sent Jamie McGonigle through on goal and the Dungiven native managed to keep his composure by rolling the ball into the bottom corner. Any nerves were quickly eased as Coleraine secured all three points a minute before the end through another substitute. This time it was Dean Jarvis who popped up with his first goal of the campaign after being picked out by Will Patching inside the area.
Jamie McGonigle celebrates his goal against Carrick Rangers.
Ahead of the January transfer window opening, Coleraine announced their first winter arrival with the acquisition of Mark Connolly. The former Crawley Town, Dundee United and Kilmarnock defender previously worked with first-team manager Ruaidhri Higgins at Derry City.
The Bannsiders would then ensure there would be no repeat of their previous loss to Bangor as they picked up all three points at The Showgrounds. Coleraine started lively and took the lead with just seven minutes on the clock and in fine style. A lovely team move in midfield resulted in Dean Jarvis and Ronan Doherty unlocking the door to set-up Joel Cooper who rattled home. A quickfire start yielded a second soon after as Cooper sent in a wonderful cross into the box which was on the money for Matthew Shevlin to head in at the back post. The hosts tried their best to add a third goal on the evening but no scares at the other meant Coleraine ran out 2-0 winners.
Matthew Shevlin got on the scoresheet in a 2-0 home success against Bangor.
The final contest before the arrival of Santa Claus saw Coleraine make their way to The Oval to face Glentoran. Ruaidhri Higgins’ men suffered two injury blows in the first half as Jamie Glackin and Will Patching had to both be substituted with knocks. However, the Bannsiders managed to forge ahead on 64 minutes when Dean Jarvis’ deflected cross was on the money for Matthew Shevlin to convert. The game then turned on its head soon after as Coleraine midfielder Dylan Boyle was dismissed for a tackle in the middle of the pitch. To compound that misery, Glentoran netted twice in the last ten minutes to steal all three points as Pat Hoban netted a penalty, before Jonny Russell’s looping cross inadvertently went into the net.
Coleraine fans woke up to an extra present on Christmas Day as the club announced the arrival of James Akintunde. The striker signed terms following a spell at Finnish side Haka, with the move seeing the Englishman linking up with Ruaidhri Higgins again after the pair worked together at Derry City.
James Akintunde joined the Bannsiders in the January transfer window.
Unfortunately, Coleraine lost out on Boxing Day as Daire O’Connor’s brace earned Ballymena United all three points. The Sky Blues took the lead with 12 minutes on the clock as Kian Corbally’s through ball sent O’Connor through on goal and the speedy winger slotted the ball under an onrushing Ryan Schofield. Despite creating chances to get back into the contest, Ballymena doubled their lead via the same combination as once again Corbally played in O’Connor and he duly dispatched into the far corner as Coleraine slipped to a 2-0 loss.
Coleraine were determined to put those two bruising losses behind them as they finished December by entertaining Linfield at The Showgrounds. Despite the first half not seeing any goals scored – things would change on 52 minutes as Coleraine took the lead when Joel Cooper kept his composure to dispatch beyond Chris Johns. Coleraine introduced Jamie McGonigle with a quarter of an hour remaining and that change paid dividends as he made it 2-0 to the Bannsiders. In a carbon copy of the opener, Shevlin’s header this time found the striker and he took a neat first touch before arrowing into the back of the net. Linfield managed to pull a goal back through Chris McKee’s penalty but Coleraine had the final say of the game through Will Patching’s delightful effort from just inside the box as Coleraine ran out 3-1 victors.