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 the Bannsiders got their 2017-18 campaign off to a perfect start against Dungannon Swifts…

Date:

Saturday, August 12, 2017

Result:

Dungannon Swifts 1-3 Coleraine

Goals – Mayse (’76 mins); Harkin (’64 mins), O’Donnell (’74 mins), Parkhill (’90 mins)

Report:

ORAN Kearney celebrated his new three-year contract in style as Coleraine secured a 3-1 win at Stangmore Park as both teams ended the match with 10 men.

Coleraine made a strong start to proceedings at Stangmore Park and created their first opportunity after three minutes as Jamie McGonigle’s shot deflected narrowly wide.

At the other end, Dougie Wilson tested Chris Johns with a well driven effort from the edge of the area. The Bannsiders thought they were for taking the lead on nine minutes when McGonigle’s flick was just too hard for the onrushing Brad Lyons.

Oran Kearney’s men created two chances in a matter of minutes as Lyons forced Coleman into making a low save, before Eoin Bradley shot over with his back to goal.

On 18 minutes, the home spurned a wonderful opportunity to take the lead as a pin-point delivery from Liam McMenamin found Ryan Mayse unmarked in the box. The summer recruit from Ballinamallard United could only hit the post from close range.

It was Mayse who threatened again as he pounced on Peter McMahon’s knock down before sending an audacious volley narrowly over the crossbar.

On the stroke of half-time, the Stripes thought they had taken the lead as a fantastic ball from Adam Mullan found McGonigle who hit a crisp effort by the far post.

The home started the second-half on the front foot and should have taken the lead on 51 minutes as a cross from Seanan Clucas found McMahon. The striker teed up Mayse but the midfielder failed to hit the target from inside the area.

The Bannsiders were to receive a blow on 55 minutes as defender Steven Douglas was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence after charging into Mayse. However, this was to spur the visitors on to take the lead as Bradley held the ball up for Ciaron Harkin to hit an unstoppable drive into the top corner.

Coleraine were to double their lead on 73 minutes as Harkin’s free-kick was met by the head of defender Stephen O’Donnell who slotted home from inside the penalty area.

The influential Mayse was to provide the Swifts with a lifeline as he was on the receiving end of a clever through ball by Stefan Lavery to finish past Johns.

Both teams were to finish with 10 men as Swifts ‘keeper Andy Coleman was dispossessed in possession and hauled down Lyons which left Lee Tavinder with the easy decision.

From the resulting free-kick, Ian Parkhill scored an instinctive half volley after his initial effort was blocked to secure all three points for the visitors

Line-ups:

DUNGANNON SWIFTS: Coleman, Brennan (Lavery ’74 mins), Wilson, Armstrong, McMahon, Mayse, McElroy (Teggart ’65 mins), O’Rourke, Clucas, McMenamin, Burke (Ferris ’83 mins).

Subs Not Used: Addis (GK), Fitzpatrick.

COLERAINE: Johns, Mullan, Harkin, Douglas, McCauley (Whiteside ’57 mins), Bradley (McCready ’84 mins), Carson, Lyons, O’Donnell, Traynor, McGonigle (Parkhill ’71 mins).

Subs Not Used: Doherty (GK), Kirk.

Referee:

Lee Tavinder