Down Memory Lane

PAUL Owens scored directly from two corners as our Down Memory Lane series continues with a recap of a 3-1 win against Glenavon in January 2012…

Date:

Saturday, January 21, 2012.

Result:

Coleraine 3-1 Glenavon

Goals – Owens (46 mins & 64 mins), Canning (61 mins); McCaul (21 mins)

Report:

COLERAINE extended their unbeaten run to 13 games courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Glenavon at a blustery Showgrounds today.

Missing several first team players through injury and suspension the Bannsiders’ reshuffled pack started the match against the Lurgan Blues playing into fierce driving wind
and rain.

The visitors sought to make the most of this advantage and carried out most of the early pressing, culminating in player-manager Gary Hamilton curling a free-kick off the angle of Cullen’s post and bar with the rebound being cleared to safety.

The away team’s forward momentum continued and bore fruit on 21 minutes as loanee Brian McCaul opened the scoring, collecting a pass from Doherty to swivel and lob a 22 yard effort over the backpedalling Gavin Cullen in the Coleraine goal.

The home team responded via a near miss as Steven Lowry’s volley from the edge of the area crept past the post, following neat interplay between Owens and McIlmoyle on the left.

However, Glenavon continued to dominate for the rest of the wind-assisted half as evidenced by Cullen denying both Shannon and Doherty from doubling the lead on 40 and 44 minutes.

As the 2nd half started, with the wind now behind their backs, Coleraine took little time to draw level. Teeing up a 46th minute corner from the right, Paul Owens made full use of the elements as he lofted his corner kick over the head of keeper O’Hare and straight into the back of the net.

Oran Kearney’s team continued to take the game to the visitors and eventually they took the lead on 61 minutes courtesy of a piece of individual brilliance from Aaron Canning. The stand-in Coleraine centre-half collected the ball 30 yards out, waltzed past three defenders before firing a stunning left-foot drive for his first goal of the season.

The home team soon stretched their advantage further through a repeat feat: Corner. Owens. Goal!

The Limavady man produced an almost carbon copy of his first goal, again scoring direct from the corner kick past Davy O’Hare and sparking more disbelieving celebrations from the home fans.

However, former Bannsiders’ favourite O’Hare redeemed himself producing two wondrous saves, first from Curtis Allen on 72 minutes and then acrobatically denying Paul Owens a hat-trick as he clawed away a fine 20 yard effort.

Despite further opportunities the Stripes were denied from extending their lead, yet secured another valuable three points and maintained their positive momentum going into next week’s Irn-Bru League Cup final.

Line-ups:

COLERAINE: Cullen; Harkin, Canning, Ogilby, McIlmoyle; Scullion, Tommons, Lowry, Owens; Jennings, Allen.

Sub Not Used: Hegarty, M Doherty, Bingham, Bradley, Meenan

GLENAVON: O’Hare, Shannon, Neill, Jay Magee, Grieve (Turkington ’67 mins), McCaul, Doherty, Henderson, Hagan (Mitchell ’65 mins), Grant (Cherry ’75 mins), Hamilton.

Subs Not Used: Miskimmin, Rooney.

Referee:

Ross Dunlop