Down Memory Lane

COLERAINE started their 2012/13 campaign with a flyer as they defeated Crusaders at The Showgrounds…

Date:

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Result:

Coleraine 3-1 Crusaders

Goals – Allen (‘5 mins), Owens (’32 mins), Ogilby (’53 mins); Rainey (’87 mins)

Report:

COLERAINE got their Danske Bank Premiership campaign off to a dream start with a 3-1 home victory over Crusaders.

So often last season, the Shore Road club had proved to be a thorn in the side of Oran

Kearney and his team, defeating them in the League Cup Final, the Irish Cup quarter final and again on the last day of the season to deny them a European place.

On each of those occasions Coleraine had struggled after falling behind, but there was to be no such problem on Saturday as they raced out of the blocks, taking the lead after only five minutes.

Goalkeeper Michael Doherty played the ball upfield and Curtis Allen capitalised on some hesitation by the Crusaders backline, to nip in and lob the ball over the advancing Sean O’Neill and score the first goal of the new season.

Crusaders had added to an already strong attacking line-up by signing last season’s top goalscorer, Gary McCutcheon, from Ballymena. But the diminutive Scotsman found chances hard to come by as he was well-marshalled by Howard Beverland and David Ogilby.

He did manage to hit the target with a free kick midway through the first half, but Doherty was equal to his effort.

Coleraine could have doubled their lead when Stephen Lowry showed great determination to win the ball on the left hand touchline and then drove forward, putting the ball into the box for Allen, who almost had too much time to line up a shot and when he did, hit it straight at O’Neill.

But they didn’t have to wait much longer for the second goal, which duly arrived on 32 minutes. Crusaders failed to adequately clear their lines and the ball came to Hegarty, who drove the ball low towards the goal. O’Neill managed to get a hand to it, but only succeeded in directing the ball to Paul Owens, who drilled it into the net.

Beverland cleared a dangerous looking effort off the line, while Doherty made a smart save to tip Colin Coates’ header over the bar as the first half came to a close.

Coleraine opened the second half in a positive fashion, moving the ball around well and creating several opportunities.

The victory was all but sealed with the third goal on 53 minutes. With Curtis Allen having been denied from a free kick minutes earlier, David Ogilby took his turn and surprising all who expected a trademark piledriver, he went instead for placement and judged it perfectly in finding the bottom corner.

Coleraine continued to dominate and create the lion’s share of the chances, although they were unable to finish off any of them which would have made the scoreline even more impressive.

As it was, Crusaders gradually came back into the game and grabbed a consolation goal on 87 minutes, sub David Rainey converting from close range.

While disappointing, losing the late goal couldn’t take the shine off an excellent performance and result, the perfect start to the new season for Coleraine.

Line-ups:

COLERAINE: Doherty; Canning, Beverland, Ogilby, Colligan; Owens, Hegarty, Lowry, Harkin, McIlmoyle (Scullion ’84 mins); Allen.

Subs Not Used: Cullen (GK), McNulty, McVey, Boyd.

CRUSADERS: O’Neill, McKeown, McBride (McClean ’84 mins), Magowan, Coates, Morrow (McAllister ’60 mins), Caddell, Watson, Adamson (Rainey ’60 mins), McCutcheon, Owens.

Subs Not Used: Drummond (GK), Gibson.

Referee:

Raymond Crangle

*Many thanks to Hunter McClelland for his assistance*