Bannsiders set for trip to Ferney Park
COLERAINE know they will be in for a tough battle as they take on Ballinamallard United at Ferney Park (KO 3pm)…
The Bannsiders remained six points clear in the Danske Bank Premiership following last weekend’s victory against Dungannon Swifts. A solitary strike from Darren McCauley in the first-half was enough to seal all three points for the Stripes. As for the Mallards, they weren’t in action as the winter conditions forced their game against Glentoran to be postponed. Gavin Dykes’ men currently sit bottom of the table, but will hope to pick up points as quickly as possible as they aim to retain their Premiership status.
The first meeting between the two sides this season was a tight affair as the Bannsiders came out on top at The Showgrounds. After a goalless first-half, the home side took control and scored two goals in quick succession via a Colm McLoughlin own goal and Joe McCready’s low finish. The Ducks pulled a goal back through Matthew Smyth, but failed to find an equaliser.
Coleraine manager Oran Kearney will be without the services of Lyndon Kane, James McLaughlin and Eoin Bradley through injury. Meanwhile, Josh Carson will miss the fixture through suspension after collecting five yellow cards. Despite the fixture seeing top face bottom, Kearney isn’t taking anything for granted.
“It will be exactly the same when we go to Ballinamallard as it was in the first game,” Kearney said.
“They came here a few weeks ago, it was a tough game and we got through it 2-1.
“Every game brings its own problems and Saturday will be no different.
“In my last seven years here I supposed we have never talked about winning leagues or being at the top because we haven’t had to.
“This year we aren’t talking about it because it is short term we are just looking at the next game all the time.
“We have our own goals in the changing room, we set a certain standard at the start of the year.
“I keep drilling home every week about hitting the targets we want to hit.
“As far as the big picture goes there isn’t one.”
As ever, those unable to attend can follow the latest updates via the club’s official Twitter account (@ColeraineFC).
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