OCTOBER saw Coleraine mourn the death of former player and manager Iam McFaul as Matthew Shevlin made it a ton of goals for the Bannsiders…
Despite ending September with a victory against Carrick Rangers, the Bannsiders would lose out on the road at newly-promoted Bangor. In a first league visit to Bangor since 2008, Coleraine fell behind on 17 minutes as a free-kick delivery into the box wasn’t defended which allowed Jay Boyd to direct a header into the back of the net. Things went from bad to worse before the interval when a ball over the top by Tiernan Mulvenna sent Ben Arthurs through on goal and he made no mistake with a clinical finish for 2-0. The Bannsiders were given hope when Harry Lynch was dismissed for two yellow cards early into the second half and they pulled a goal back through Zane Okoro. However, despite numerous chances, Coleraine failed to find the back of the net as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat.
There was then sadness as the club learned of the passing of former player and manager Iam McFaul. William ‘Iam’ McFaul who was a native of Coleraine, started his career with the Bannsiders during the 1960’s, but after finding his path to regular football blocked by the form of Victor Hunter, he chose to join Linfield. After starring at Windsor Park, he then went on to Newcastle United, where he played for many years. After his retirement he joined the coaching staff and served as manager at Newcastle between 1985 and 1988 – where he helped nurture a certain Paul Gascoigne to stardom. Following Jim Platt’s resignation, McFaul returned home and managed Coleraine between 1990-1992 as Paul Gaston and Davy O’Hare managed to come to the fore in the blue and white stripes. McFaul competed with Pat Jennings on the international stage but he still managed to win six caps for his country.
Coleraine were saddened by the loss of former player and manager Iam McFaul.
The BetMcLean Cup then entered the Stripes’ schedule for the first time during the 2025/26 campaign as they were drawn against Premier Intermediate League side Dollingstown. Coleraine were in ruthless form at Planters Park as goals from Alex Watson, Jamie Glackin and Ronan Doherty had the Bannsiders three goals to the good at the interval. The goals just kept coming thereafter as Watson completed his brace, with Declan McManus (2), Kodi Lyons-Foster and Tiernan Brolly also getting in on the act for an 8-0 success.
After losing out in Premiership action last time out, Coleraine then had to turn their attentions to the first derby contest of the campaign at the Ballymena Showgrounds. The Bannsiders timed their first half goals to perfection as Will Patching opened the scoring with just three minutes on the clock, before Matthew Shevlin’s shot on the turn doubled that advantage on the stroke of half-time. After making a dream end to the first-half, Coleraine did exactly the same at the start of the second to extend their advantage to 3-0. A lovely team move involving Jamie Glackin, Levi Ives and Dean Jarvis allowed Shevlin to slam home his second of the afternoon. The only blot on the copybook was the hosts pulling a goal back for 3-1 as Ben Kennedy steered home.
Will Patching celebrates his opener at the Ballymena Showgrounds.
A midweek assignment in the North-West Senior Cup lay ahead as the Bannsiders made the trip over the mountain to lock horns against Limavady United. Bannsiders boss Ruaidhri Higgins pledged the starting eleven would be largely made up of the club’s U20 side – and it proved that way – as the average age of those who took to the pitch was just over 16-years-old. However, the young guns gave as good as they got as Tiernan Brolly’s brace put Coleraine 1-0 up and then levelled for 2-2, meaning the tie would be decided by penalty-kicks. The game would then be decided by penalties as all the opening 22 spot-kicks were converted – including ‘keepers Gareth Muldoon and Aaron Hoey-Kemp. Unfortunately, it was Coleraine who would be denied as a spot in the final as Muldoon saved Alex Watson’s penalty in sudden-death.
Coleraine would then strike twice in each half to see off Dungannon Swifts in the Premiership. A quick counter-attack resulted in Jamie Glackin having the patience and precision to pick out Zane Okoro who rifled home his third goal of the season on 12 minutes. Soon after, the lead was doubled as good press by Coleraine saw Glackin pick out Dean Jarvis on the left-hand side. The full-back sent in a scintillating delivery which forced Caolan Marron to net into his own goal. The Stripes made it 3-0 after the break as Joel Cooper took centre stage. The winger picked the ball up in his own half, drove forward and blasted his effort into the net for his sixth goal since arriving in the summer. The result was then put beyond doubt on the hour mark when referee Ian McNabb pointed to the spot after Matthew Shevlin was brought down inside the area by Steven Scott. The resulting spot-kick was taken by Will Patching who celebrated his 27th birthday with a goal.
In terms of squad news, Coleraine announced that full-back Dean Jarvis had put pen-to-paper on a contract extension at The Showgrounds. Furthermore, the Bannsiders also announced the signing of goalkeeper Lewis Webb. The Welshman agreed a deal on the Ballycastle Road after previously representing Newport County, Merthyr Town, Swansea City, Shelbourne (loan), Aberystwyth (loan), Caernarfon (loan).
The busy month continued as Coleraine were the visitors to Portadown for a second time. The only major talking point in the opening 45 minutes came late on when Ports ‘keeper Aaron McCarey received his marching orders for an off-the-ball incident involving Matthew Shevlin. Sustained pressure finally paid off as Coleraine made the breakthrough on 62 minutes. A dangerous set-piece delivery by Levi Ives found an unmarked Shevlin who headed in beyond makeshift ‘keeper Eamon Fyfe. The three points were then secured on 74 minutes through another in swinging corner by Ives. This time Joel Cooper got the meaningful touch to send the ball into the back of the net.
Joel Cooper celebrates after doubling Coleraine’s lead at Portadown.
The month ended with a midweek visit of Linfield to the north coast in what would prove to be a four-goal thriller. The Blues found themselves in dreamland as goals from Matthew Fitzpatrick and Sam Roscoe had them deservedly ahead at the break. However, Ruaidhri Higgins’ charges were vastly improved after the restart as a strong run and cross by Lewis McGregor found Matthew Shevlin who duly converted his 100th goal for the club. The points were then shared as the Bannsiders grabbed a deserved equaliser on 82 minutes from a set-piece of their own. An inch-perfect corner by Will Patching found its way to Charles Dunne at the back post who was able to score his first Coleraine goal.
Matthew Shevlin’s performances saw the striker being named as the Northern Ireland Football Writers’ Association Player of the Month for October.