Down Memory Lane

COLERAINE secured their second win of the season in fine style as they hit four goals without reply at Mourneview Park.

The Bannsiders could have taken the lead inside the opening three minutes as a clever ball over the top of the Glenavon defence released James McLaughlin through on goal. The striker – who returned from a three-game suspension – hit wide after Johnny Tuffey left his goal mouth unattended.

However, the Lurgan Blues will feel they should have broken the deadlock themselves on nine minutes as the lively Josh Daniels burst into the middle of the park and squared the ball to Jack O’Mahony, but the winger failed to keep his effort on target.

On 14 minutes, the Stripes were tested again as an inswinging corner was headed goalwards by Daniels, and after it looked like going into the net, Coleraine defender Lyndon Kane was on hand to clear the danger.

In a frantic opening 20 minutes the chances kept arriving as McLaughlin’s header was seized upon by Ben Doherty and his instinctive half volley forced Tuffey into a smart save. From the resulting corner, Josh Carson had a shot blocked, with the rebound crashing against the post.

Gary Hamilton’s side would threaten through efforts from Conor McCloskey and Rhys Marshall before the half hour mark, whilst at the other end, McLaughlin arrowed over and Aaron Canning tested the gloves of Tuffey.

The deadlock was broken on the stroke of half-time as a long kick by Chris Johns was controlled by McLaughlin, who had the vision to pick out a delightful pass for Lowry, with the midfielder slotting past Tuffey.

The second-half was barely a minute old when Coleraine doubled their lead via the same combination. The ball landed at the feet of McLaughlin just outside the box and he picked out Lowry who showed neat footwork and a tidy finish for his second of the game.

Coleraine were becoming rampant and had numerous chances to add a third as Tuffey saved McLaughlin’s low effort, before the stopper was called into action to tip Parkhill’s shot onto the bar and save from Aaron Jarvis who was handed his debut.

Bannsiders boss Oran Kearney also provided Nedas Maciulaitis with his debut and the ex-Portadown striker made an immediate impact as he was fouled inside the box by Andy Doyle on 72 minutes. The ice-cool Doherty sent his penalty into the bottom corner for his third goal of the season.

There was even time for the Bannsiders to add a fourth in fine style as all three substitutes combined. After retrieving the ball in the middle of the park, Jamie Glackin slipped the ball into Emmett McGuckin and he found Maciulaitis who showed trickery and a composed finish to make it a debut to remember