PRE-SEASON preparations would finalise as the Bannsiders got their 2024-25 campaign under way in August…
Coleraine split their squad in two as Dean Shiels got a look at his entire panel ahead of the Sports Direct Premiership starting a week later. The first opposition was Coagh United and after a goalless first-half, Coleraine flexed their muscles to record a 2-0 success as Jack Coyle and Sam McClintock got on the scoresheet. Later that afternoon, pre-season preparations were finalised as Coleraine overcame Institute in a 5-2 thriller. The two teams would be level at the break as Jamie McGonigle and Aidan Tejada netted for the Bannsiders, with Michael Harris and Padraig Lynch on the scoresheet for ‘Stute. However, Coleraine put their foot on the pedal after the restart and scored three times as Rhyss Campbell fired in, before McGonigle added his second of the afternoon. The victory was completed late on when Kyle Spence’s cross was deflected into the net by a visiting defender.
Off the pitch, Coleraine announced that talented duo Alfie Gaston and Senan Devine put pen-to-paper on their first pro forms with the club. They joined Sam McClintock and Aidan Tejada in committing their futures to the club.
The Stripes started their Premiership campaign with an away assignment at Dungannon Swifts. On a warm day in County Tyrone, the Swifts made the breakthrough on 25 minutes as Kealan Dillon’s long-range shot from 35 yards dipped under the crossbar. When it looked like it wasn’t going to be Coleraine’s day due to missed chances and good goalkeeping by Declan Dunne, the Bannsiders grabbed a deserved goal through a familiar source on 81 minutes. A ball by Jamie Glackin found Matthew Shevlin who created space for himself with neat footwork and he blazed his shot into the roof of the net.
Jamie Glackin in possession as Coleraine started the season with an away assignment at Dungannon Swifts.
Next up was a derby day assignment against Ballymena United on the Ballycastle Road. In front of a packed crowd, the breakthrough would arrive on 13 minutes as Rhyss Campbell’s long-range effort rebounded off the up-right, with the onrushing Jack Scott calmly finding the bottom corner with the rebound. However, the Sky Blues levelled before the interval when an inch-perfect cross by Ben Kennedy was met by Johnny McMurray who found the back of the net with an instinctive finish. Coleraine regained their lead on 53 minutes as Scott’s accurate pass released Jamie Glackin inside the box. The midfielder turned on the spot and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner. Despite that high, Glackin received his marching orders two minutes later after an off-the-ball incident in the Coleraine penalty box, which saw the Sky Blues being awarded a penalty which was dispatched by Kennedy to level the tie. The Railway End was almost sucking the ball into the net and Coleraine took the lead for the third time on 79 minutes. A corner-kick delivery wasn’t defended by United and Rhyss Campbell was in the right place at the right time to make it 3-2. The last of the action of game saw Coleraine seal the deal as Dylan Boyle and Lyndon Kane combined which resulted in the latter’s cross being prodded home by Matthew Shevlin.
Ahead of a midweek trip to Glentoran, there would be a departure from the first-team squad as winger Andy Scott completed a move to Ballymena United. On the pitch at the Oval, both teams failed to find the back of the net after 90 minutes of football – but it wasn’t for the want of trying. Matthew Shevlin in particular had several sights of goal in the first-half, with Jordan Jenkins and David Fisher threatening for the hosts thereafter. Ultimately, both teams had to settle for a share of the spoils in a 0-0 stalemate.
Graham Kelly shields the ball during the stalemate at The Oval versus Glentoran.
The month would end with a home clash against Glenavon as the Lurgan Blues once again continued their good run of form against the Bannsiders. Glenavon caught the Stripes cold as with two minutes played Niall Quinn’s shot from just outside of the penalty was defected into the back of the net by ex-Bannsider Davy McDaid to make it 1-0. Frustration would be the feeling at the interval as Gareth Deane made a series of world-class saves to deny Coleraine an equaliser as Jack Scott, Jamie McGonigle and Cameron Stewart were all denied. Four minutes into the second half Glenavon doubled their advantage as Keith Ward pounced on an individual error, ran forward and finished into the bottom left from just outside the box to run out 2-0 victors.
Alfie Gaston was given his chance to shine as Coleraine ended the month with a home loss to Glenavon.
Coleraine were busy on transfer deadline day as the Bannsiders landed two more players to their first-team panel. The first arrival was winger Corey Smith from Larne who previously worked with Shiels at Dungannon Swifts. He was quickly joined by midfielder Connor Murray who joined on initial loan deal until January from Scottish side Hamilton Academical.
Player of the Month: Kyle McClelland
Goal of the Month: Matthew Shevlin vs Dungannon Swifts