Match Preview

Stripes chasing league glory

COLERAINE are in action for the final time in the league this season as they travel to Mourneview Park to face off against Glenavon (KO 3pm)…

The Bannsiders will be hoping to round off their impressive campaign with a flourish, maintaining their unbeaten run and extending it to 26 games. The Stripes kept their title dreams alive against Linfield last Saturday, producing a second half comeback to draw the game 2-2. Crusaders could only draw 1-1 against their neighbours Cliftonville, leaving Stephen Baxter’s side top of the table, ahead of Coleraine with only goal difference still separating the title chasers.

Crusaders travel to Ballymena for their own season finale, knowing that a win in their match would send the Gibson Cup to North Belfast. Coleraine can still can bring home the silverware themselves, if the Hatchetmen fail to win, providing the Stripes can better the result. This will be the Bannsiders’ fourth encounter with the Lurgan Blues this season, with not much to choose between the pair.

The first meeting was in September, with the Stripes running out 4-2 winners at the Showgrounds. Since then, things have been evenly matched with two draws between the sides, the first one being match which ended 2-2 at Mourneview in November, and most recent one, a 1-1 draw at the Showgrounds in February.

With the race for the league going right down to the wire, and Coleraine still in with a shout of winning it, Oran Kearney has expressed his delight of being involved in the title hunt so late in the season.

Kearney said, “If you had said to me at the first game of the season that we would be going into the last game of the season all square at the top I would have probably have thought you needed medication.

“It’s testament to us as a club and a group of players that we are where we are.

“The buzz of being involved in this and the pressure they’re under is brilliant.”

The Coleraine boss will be without the services of Josh Carson and Eoin Bradley through suspension and Lyndon Kane who suffered a broken metatarsal in the Linfield match last weekend. Brad Lyons may return to the squad after Kearney decided not to risk him in last weekend’s game.

Those unable to attend will be able to follow all the end of season action via the club’s official Twitter account (@ColeraineFC). Supporters are asked to read the following press release from the Northern Ireland Football League HERE before travelling.