Campaign Curtain

COLERAINE finish their Danske Bank Premiership campaign with a trip to title chasing Linfield tomorrow (KO 5:30pm)…

Danske Bank Premiership

Overview:

Coleraine picked up their first win in the post-split schedule after a 3-2 success against Glentoran last weekend. After a goalless first-half, the Bannsiders would net through Matthew Shevlin (2) and Aaron Jarvis. Oran Kearney’s side know they can’t finish any higher than sixth in the standings and the destiny of the European play-off games will only become clear after the conclusion of the Irish Cup. The Stripes will be without Jamie Glackin through suspension for the contest.

Linfield’s task is clear as they know if they equal or better Cliftonville’s result away to Glentoran then they will become champions. David Healy’s side played out a 0-0 draw against Larne last time out but no real damage was caused after the Reds also drew away to Crusaders. The Blues hold a strong home record with twelve wins and six draws from their 16 games at Windsor Park so far this campaign.

Previous meetings:

The two clubs met in September and the Bannsiders would provide the greater attacking threat in the first-half as Conor McKendry, Jamie Glackin and Aaron Traynor all threatened the Linfield goal. However, David Healy’s men would make the breakthrough on 64 minutes as Stephen Fallon picked up possession and cleverly picked out the run of Christy Manzinga. The striker would make no mistake from close range as he dinked the ball over the advancing Gareth Deane. Coleraine brought on Cathair Friel and he would turn goal provider on 85 minutes. The Limavady man would get the ball from Glackin’s flick on and squared to McKendry who unleashed an unstoppable effort into the top corner. Linfield thought they had bagged a late winner on 89 minutes as two substitutes would combine for the final opportunity of the contest. A clever reverse pass by Jordan Stewart released Billy Chadwick but he blazed wide with the goal at his mercy.

In December, Coleraine would have home advantage as Linfield rolled into town in front of a bumper crowd at The Showgrounds. The deadlock would be broken on 24 minutes as Rodney Brown headed in from Conor McKendry’s corner kick. However, that lead would be short lived as Linfield drew level on 38 minutes as Christy Manzinga was in the right place at the right time to fire the visitors level after Kirk Millar’s initial effort cannoned off the crossbar. The Blues would grab the decisive third goal of the contest in dramatic circumstances as the ball struck referee Tim Marshall who failed to stop play and Stephen Fallon took full advantage by finding the bottom corner. Oran Kearney’s side would have numerous chances after that to earn a share of the spoils but they couldn’t force a way past Chris Johns.

The third meeting would be at The Showgrounds as Coleraine arguably put in their best performance of the season. In front of a packed crowd on the Ballycastle Road, the Stripes would take the lead on 11 minutes from the penalty spot. A strike from Matthew Shevlin hit the hand of Ethan Devine leaving Steven Gregg with no hesitation in pointing to the spot. The ball was rifled into the net by Lyndon Kane who left Chris Johns with no chance. On 75 minutes, Coleraine would go further ahead as a poor pass by Michael Newberry was seized upon by Stephen Lowry. The midfielder had the vision to pick out Shevlin who did the rest as he took two neat touches to take the ball past Jimmy Callacher before finishing into the far corner of the net. Oran Kearney’s men would grab a scintillating third goal of the contest as they turned defence into attack. A corner kick from Matthew Clarke was forced onto the crossbar by Deane with Coleraine producing a devastating counter attack. A strong run and pass by Jarvis released Glackin inside the area and the midfielder did the rest by smashing a strike into the net.

Manager’s Thoughts:

“It was important to get a morale boost,” Kearney said after the win against Glentoran.

“We said these five games are dress rehearsals for what’s coming ahead.

“They are the best practice you can get in relation to the standard of the games but it’s important that we go and hit that performance level.

“So for us, the final one is Linfield and it’s important we go and do that again.”

Officials:

The match referee will be Ian McNabb.

The assistant referees are Paul Robinson and Stephen Donaldson.

Andrew Davey has been selected as the fourth official.

Admission:

Coleraine supporters can buy tickets for the fixture which can be purchased HERE

A reminder that the match will be streamed live via the BBC Sport NI website and available on the Red Button.

If you are not feeling yourself tomorrow afternoon and you have symptoms which you feel are similar to COVID-19, please stay away from the stadium and think of others.

If you have access to a lateral flow/PCR test at home, we would encourage you to check yourself before coming to the game.

If you have been in contact with a positive case and haven’t yet been contacted by track and trace, please do not come to the game.

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