Bannsiders aiming to end 2017 on a high

COLERAINE finish their 2017 fixtures with a trip to Solitude to take on Cliftonville (KO 3pm)…

The Bannsiders’ lead at the top of the Danske Bank Premiership was cut to four points after the Boxing Day draw against Ballymena at The Showgrounds. Despite taking the lead through Jamie McGonigle, the Sky Blues responded when Aaron Traynor deflected Kyle Owens’ header into his own net. As for Cliftonville, they have suffered back-to-back defeats against Linfield and Crusaders. Barry Gray’s men sit in fifth position in the table tied on points with Linfield.

The previous two meetings have yielded six points for the Stripes as they were 2-0 winners on the Ballycastle Road in August via goals from Josh Carson and Jamie McGonigle. Then, in October, Joe McCready’s strike was enough to earn all three points at Solitude as the Bannsiders held on for a hard fought victory.

Coleraine manager Oran Kearney will be without the services of Lyndon Kane and James McLaughlin through injury. The Stripes received a boost on Boxing Day with the return of Eoin Bradley from a knee injury sustained in September and his return is a big lift ahead of a busy fixture list.

Despite the Reds losing their last two fixtures, Kearney is wary of Cliftonville’s firepower.

“They had a slow start to the season which you would expect under a new manager,” Kearney said.

“Goals win games and they have a huge amount of firepower at the top end of the pitch.

“They were on a good run up until the last two games and are extremely tough to beat at home.”

As ever, those unable to attend can follow the latest updates via the club’s official Twitter account (@ColeraineFC).