COLERAINE sealed last four progress in the Irish Cup as momentum also continued in the Premiership…
March started with a north-west derby as Coleraine locked horns with Limavady United in the quarter-final of the Irish Cup. The Roesiders were ground-sharing at the Coleraine Showgrounds due to the installation of a synesthetic surface at their own venue, meaning the tie was played on the Ballycastle Road with Coleraine seen as the ‘away’ team. Coleraine had to remain patient to breach the Championship leaders as it took until the hour mark to break Paul Owens’ side down. However, the goal was worth the wait as Joel Cooper hit an unstoppable effort from 25 yards beyond the reach of Marty Gallagher. Cooper then showed his work-ethic to double the Bannsiders’ lead as he chased down Tiarnan Boorman’s back pass, rounded Gallagher and laid the ball on a plate for Matthew Shevlin to convert from close range.
Joel Cooper celebrates after netting a delightful opener in the Irish Cup success against Limavady United.
The following week Coleraine entertained Cliftonville at The Showgrounds as they narrowly earned all three points against the Reds. The nearest either side came to scoring in the opening 45 minutes saw Cliftonville winger Liam McStravick hit the post with a thunderous drive. However, the decisive moment arrived in the 50th minute of the game. After a free kick for Coleraine just outside the box was initially blocked, the ball fell kindly for Will Patching, who reacted quickly to drive his second attempt low into the bottom right corner to give Coleraine the lead. The Bannsiders then had a big chance to double their lead via a penalty after Matthew Shevlin was upended in the box by Shaun Leppard. Unfortunately, Patching was unable to convert as his spot-kick went wide but Coleraine still held firm for the 1-0 win.
Will Patching’s strike was enough to edge out Cliftonville on the Ballycastle Road.
The final pre-split game saw Coleraine meet Glentoran at The Oval in a fixture that was marred early doors due to a serious injury sustained to James Akintunde. The striker had to be stretchered off the pitch after colliding with the post with just two minutes on the clock. However, Coleraine managed to go ahead on 44 minutes through a fine team goal as Will Patching and Levi Ives were heavily involved to pick out Jamie McGonigle and he did the rest with a superb low strike. But that momentum was quickly halted as the visitors were harshly reduced to ten men when Rowan McDonald was given his marching orders in first half stoppage-time for a tackle on Pat Hoban. With being a man short, a resolute Coleraine couldn’t hold out as the Glens made it 1-1 with 15 minutes to go. A cross from the right-hand side by Ross Clarke was headed in at the back post by Jordan Stewart. Seven minutes later, Glentoran were then presented with a chance to go ahead when referee Shane Andrews pointed to the spot after adjudging Charles Dunne handled inside the box. This allowed Pat Hoban to step up from 12 yards but Ryan Schofield made a stunning save to thwart his attempt as the points were shared in the capital.
The post-split schedule started with Coleraine on the road yet again to face Dungannon Swifts. The Bannsiders were determined to produce a better showing than their previous visit to the Co Tyrone venue when they were beaten 3-1. But things got off to the worst possible start as Coleraine found themselves a goal behind with three minutes on the clock. A ball over the top by Tiernan Kelly picked out the run of Kobei Moore and he executed a well-taken finish beyond the reach of Ryan Schofield. However, Ruaidhri Higgins’ side showed a response when a great cross by the returning Lyndon Kane was parried as far as Joel Cooper who smashed home an emphatic equaliser from just outside the box. The winner arrived just five minutes after the restart when Mark Coyle scored his first goal for the club with a fierce shot on the turn. The Stripes had numerous chances to add to their 2-1 lead but they held firm to bank all three points.
Mark Coyle’s first Coleraine goal proved to be the match-winner at Stangmore Park.