Canning expecting another blockbuster

COLERAINE defender Aaron Canning is relishing another tough encounter as the Bannsiders host Crusaders tomorrow night…

Oran Kearney’s men will hope to make home advantage count as the North Belfast side make the journey to the Ballycastle Road (KO 7:30pm).

Canning has played a starring role as late and he reflected on last weekend’s win against Dungannon Swifts as a sensational effort from Ben Doherty separated the two sides.

“It was a very tough battle,” he said.

“I thought we started the game really well, we were sharp and first to everything but we looked to ease off after taking the lead.

“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy going to Stangmore Park and it proved that way.

“Oran didn’t say very much at half-time, he didn’t say we were going to change anything and there were no panic stations or anything like that.

“It was pretty much keep doing what you’re doing, stay sharp, keep pushing and it’ll change.

“What can I say about Ben’s strike? Just wow.

“I was directly behind it and I roared at him to hit it and he hit alright – it was a wonder strike.”

Canning celebrated his 29^th birthday last weekend but the busy schedule has made him feel 30 years older.

“I feel 59 at the minute,” he joked.

“There’s been that many games this last while so my body and my legs are tired.

“However you have to look where we are sitting at in the table, everything is going well, so long may it continue.”

Coleraine are now unbeaten in their last 14 games and Canning is expecting another difficult assignment after he and his team-mates had to dig deep in recent weeks.

“The break of not playing in midweek will do us no harm,” he concluded.

“You talk about playing the big teams like Crusaders, Larne and Linfield, but we came to Dungannon and no disrespect to them or Warrenpoint and Portadown, but you look how hard we have had to work to beat them all.

“Every game is a blockbuster at the minute and we just have to keep winning.”