Bannsiders seeking home comforts

COLERAINE welcome Carrick Rangers to The Showgrounds with the hope of making it seven wins from as many matches (KO 3pm)…

Oran Kearney’s troops remained top of the Danske Bank Premiership following last weekend’s 3-0 victory over Ards. After a below par first-half performance, the Bannsiders seized control and earned all three points after strikes from Josh Carson and Darren McCauley (2).

The ‘Gers currently occupy 9th place in the table with one win and two draws from their opening six matches. David McAlinden’s side fell to a 2-0 defeat last time out to Glenavon at Mourneview Park. The fixture will see a familiar face return to the Ballycastle Road as defender Mark Edgar departed Coleraine for Carrick Rangers in the summer.

The two sides met each other on four occasions last season across two competitions – with the Bannsiders securing three victories and a loss. The first meeting ended in a 2-0 success for Coleraine in September 2016, before Carrick gained revenge with a 2-0 success of their own in October. A double from Jamie McGonigle helped the Stripes to victory on New Year’s Eve, before Eoin Bradley’s hat-trick guided Coleraine to a 5-1 victory in the Irish Cup.

Coleraine manager Oran Kearney will be without the services of Lyndon Kane, Gareth McConaghie, David Kee and James McLaughlin through injury. However, it is expected that both McConaghie and Kee will return to the matchday panel within a few weeks after returning to full training.

The Stripes boss admits the players are ‘enjoying’ their healthy position in the table, but has challenge his side to remain there as long as possible.

“There’s and enjoyment and an excitement there,” Kearney said.

“Yes we are top of the league and everyone is reminding of that, but I just keep saying to the lads the test is how long can we stay there.

“Can we go and win the next cup final next week, if we do that we take care of things ourselves and we are there for another week.

“It’s great, they are all enjoying it and so am I.

“We just want to keep enjoying it.”

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

Supporters are reminded that they will have to top-up their matchday cards to gain entry to the ground. The office and club shop will be open from 9am tomorrow. Furthermore, tickets for the club’s 90th anniversary dinner remain on sale and will be available to purchase from the club shop.