2019-20 Season Review: September

COLERAINE would have home comforts three times in September, as well as suffering red mist in a derby day draw against Ballymena United…

James McLaughlin celebrates one of his four strikes against Dungannon Swifts at the start of the month.

Oran Kearney’s men started September with a home clash against Dungannon Swifts who made a bright start to the Danske Bank Premiership. After a scoreless first-half, the Bannsiders ran riot as James McLaughlin bagged four times, with Aaron Jarvis also netting his first goal for the club on his home debut. The victory was the Stripes’ first of the campaign at The Showgrounds and moved the Stripes up to second in the table.

Coleraine would be involved in midweek action in the North-West Cup as Moyola Park were the visitors to the Ballycastle Road. However, despite going down to a 2-1 defeat, there would be a sign of the future as Robert McLean, Lewis Nevin, Caolan Brennan, Ruairi Boorman and Josh Tennant all featured, with Dean Miller, Caleb Wan and Pierce Quigley unused substitutes. Furthermore, Jay Riley also started the fixture meaning he is the youngest player to ever represent the club in senior competition. Jay was born on December 22, 2004 meaning he was 14 years, 8 months and 18 days old.

Coleraine took an early lead against Ballymena United through James McLaughlin’s close range finish.

The first derby day fixture would take place at the Ballymena Showgrounds and Coleraine would take an early lead through James McLaughlin’s close range finish. However, the game would turn on its head as Stephen O’Donnell was dismissed for two bookable offences. The Sky Blues would make the extra man count as they levelled the scores on the stroke of half-time through Scot Whiteside. Coleraine would have a chance to take the lead through Eoin Bradley after the break, with Ryan Mayse, Aaron Burns and Cathair Friel all going close for the Sky Blues. The Stripes would finish the match with nine men after Adam Mullan’s dismissal.

The month would also see the top two collide on the North Coast as Coleraine hosted Crusaders. The Bannsiders trailed to an early goal from ex-Coleraine striker Jamie McGonigle, but responded when Ben Doherty fired home an equaliser on 11 minutes. The Stripes would hold a half-time lead as Jordan Owens diverted Stephen Lowry’s shot into his own net. Coleraine would score twice within the first 15 minutes of the second-half through Eoin Bradley’s free-kick and Jamie Glackin’s close range finish, with Chris Hegarty netting a consolation goal for the Irish Cup holders. The result meant Coleraine cut Crusaders’ lead at the top of the table to three points and there was a welcome return for Aaron Traynor following ACL surgery.

Coleraine would finish September with a home fixture against Larne. The visitors would edge a below-par opening 45 minutes as Martin Donnelly was denied firstly by the legs of Chris Johns, before his rebound was cleared off the line by Aaron Canning. In a late flurry of chances, Shane McEleney would fire over from the edge of the area, with Aaron Jarvis’ cross inadvertently cannoning off the crossbar as both sides had to settle for a point.

Ian Parkhill in action for Coleraine as the Bannsiders had to settle for a point against Larne.

colerainefc.com Goal of the Month winner: James McLaughlin vs Dungannon Swifts
Garvagh, Kilrea and District Coleraine Supporters’ Club Player of the Month: Aaron Canning