Down Memory Lane

WITH the on-going help of club historian Hunter McClelland, colerainefc.com brings you the latest instalment of the ‘Down Memory Lane’ series as Coleraine secured the First Division title by beating Ballymena United in 1996…

Date:

Saturday, March 2, 1996

Result:

Coleraine 4-0 Ballymena United

Goals – Shiels (16 mins, 35 mins & 46 mins), McCallan (21 mins).

Report:

Coleraine captain Davy O’Hare was a proud man as he reflected on his side’s moment of glory. Hampered by a groin strain, he was in inspired form as he played through the pain barrier to keep another clean sheet. Hat-trick hero Sam Shiels hit the headlines and David McCallan had a wonder strike to add to the occasion. Manager Kenny Shiels was delighted with the all round team performance.

Sammy Shiels was head and shoulders above his opponents on Saturday – literally. The striker was carried around the pitch by jubilant fans after doing a demolition job on United.

Despite winning the championship with a quarter of the league programme remaining Kenny Shiels has promised to keep up the effort to the very end. The team agreed that they owe it to the supporters to win every match.

In a day of records, Sammy Shiels scored his fourth hat-trick (his third in the league) which is the sixth hat-trick of the season by Coleraine players (David McCallan got the other two).

The team have won 12 consecutive league games and have scored 98 goals. Sammy Shiels has overtaken Tony Gorman is in the scoring charts with 23 goals

Line-ups:

COLERAINE: O’Hare, McAuley, Huston, Young, Gaston, Gorman, Shiels, O’Dowd (Surgeon ’75 mins), McCallan, Doherty, McIvor (Patton ’75 mins).

Sub Not Used: Patterson.

BALLYMENA UNITED: Beck, Carlisle, Stewart (Boyd ’46 mins), Mauchlen, McConnell, Burn (Moore ’60 mins), McConville, Muir, Moors, Loughery, McWalter.

Sub Not Used: Smyth.

Referee:

Michael Ross