SEPTEMBER saw Coleraine compete five times across two different competitions as the Bannsiders won four and lost one…
Before the transfer window slammed shut on September 1, the Stripes added two further members to their panel as winger Zane Okoro arrived on a season-long loan from Lincoln City, whilst midfielder Rowan McDonald was also snapped up from Waterford.
Coleraine began their defence of the North-West Senior Cup by welcoming Newbuildings United to The Showgrounds. Ruaidhri Higgins vowed to give minutes to his first-team squad and they took the lead on 27 minutes when Dean Jarvis’ cross was headed into the net by Matthew Shevlin. Pressure thereafter paid off when a second goal arrived on 38 minutes. Neat play on the left-hand side involving Jarvis and Jamie Glackin helped debutant Oliver Devlin smash home from inside the box. Coleraine brought on fellow youngsters Luke McCourt and Luke Fleming and the duo combined to make it 3-0 when the latter found the back of the net with a composed finish into the second half as the Stripes reached the last four of the competition.
Matthew Shevlin celebrates his goal in the North-West Senior Cup victory against Newbuildings United.
Next up in the Premiership schedule was an away assignment at Crusaders. A blistering start by the visitors finally yielded an opener on 20 minutes when Joel Cooper’s thunderous effort crossed the line via the crossbar. Coleraine then netted twice before the break to put themselves in an unassailable lead. The lead was doubled via a quick free-kick routine as Dylan Boyle played an inch-perfect pass for Cooper to dispatch for his second of the afternoon. Things got even better on the stroke of the half-time whistle as Matthew Shevlin seized upon a loose pass in the hosts’ backline and he made no mistake with an emphatic finish. The scoring was completed after half-time when a long ball over the top by Levi Ives released the run of substitute Declan McManus and he kept his composure to slot the ball into the back of the net. The Bannsiders announced after the game that talented midfielder Oliver Devlin had signed forms on his first professional deal.
Coleraine players celebrate after Joel Cooper’s well-worked finish at Seaview.
Coleraine would then score four times on the road for a second consecutive week as the Bannsiders banked all three points at Portadown. Ruaidhri Higgins’ men had to wait until the last action of the first half to take the lead when Baris Altintop was adjudged to have handled inside the box, allowing Will Patching to make no mistake from the spot. After the restart, Matthew Shevlin doubled the advantage from close range, before Joel Cooper made it 3-0 with a low effort from distance. Coleraine saved the best goal to last as Patching rifled home an unstoppable shot from 25 yards, with the only negative coming late on as James Teelan netted a consolation goal for the hosts.
Coleraine’s unbeaten start to the Premiership would come to an end as Glentoran left The Showgrounds with the spoils. Proceedings got off to a great start for the Stripes as a corner-kick delivery from Levi Ives was on the money for Kodi Lyons-Foster to head home his first Coleraine goal since his summer from the Glens. However, the visitors turned the game on its head in the second half and levelled on 52 minutes when a pass from James Singleton picked out Jordan Jenkins inside the box, and despite his attempt being blocked, Jordan Stewart was alive to blast the ball into the net. The Glens then completed the turnaround by edging in front on 69 minutes. A ball over the top wasn’t defended by the Bannsiders and this allowed Stewart to grab his second of the evening. Coleraine tried their best to earn a share of the spoils but the ball just wouldn’t find the back of the net.
Ruaidhri Higgins’ men put that setback behind them to end September on a winning note by edging out Carrick Rangers on the Ballycastle Road. The Amber Army struck first on 26 minutes as a ball into the box saw Ryan Waide come alive and he prodded the ball under an onrushing Aidan Harris to give the visitors the lead. Coleraine had plenty of the ball in the first-half and their persistence finally paid off as they levelled before the break. A stunning cross-field pass by Levi Ives sent Zane Okoro through on goal and his shot was deflected into the net by Ryan McKay. The match-winner arrived for the Bannsiders just after the hour mark and in fine style when an inch-perfect pass by Will Patching sent Jamie Glackin on his way and he squared the ball for Joel Cooper to blast home from close range.
Joel Cooper takes the plaudits after bagging the winner against Carrick Rangers.
The end of the month also saw joy for Cameron Stewart after the defender put pen-to-paper on a contract extension.