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 won a six goal thriller against Crusaders in 2000…

Date:

Saturday, February 26, 2000

Result:

Coleraine 4-2 Crusaders

Goals – Gray (‘3 mins), Devine (’23 mins), Chillingsworth (’45 mins), McHugh (’78 mins); McCrae (‘4 mins), Reilly (’57 mins)

Report:

It was like he’d never been away, as Michael McHugh received the congratulations of waiting fans following this 4-2 win over Crusaders.

The former Derry City striker emerged from the dug-out with 20 minutes remaining to finally kill off a brave Crusaders fightback. In the process he illustrated why Coleraine boss Marty Quinn and his board of directors were so keen to re-sign him, following the loan spell earlier in the season. His turn and run from the half-way line, culminating in a rising left-foot shot past the despairing Davy O’Hare summed up what the 28-year-old is all about.

The home side should already have been in font before Joe Gray opened the scoring with a blistering right-foot volley after only three minutes. Within a minute the Shore Road men shocked the home crowd by drawing level: Martin Reilly’s low cross eluded the defence and Crawford McCrae scored his easiest goal of the season.

Former Coleraine ‘keeper Davy O’Hare raised his hand to Carl Chillingsworth and referee David Best awarded Coleraine a penalty, which John Devine gladly dispatched. Chillingsworth then confidently volleyed home his 15th goal of the season when Mark Picking’s corner found its way through a crowded goalmouth.

Within 12 minutes of the restart the Crues pulled back a goal, Martin O’Reilly heading home unmarked from Ian Hill’s deep cross. Then came McHugh’s dazzling individual effort. Crusader’s Declan McGreevy received his marching orders two minutes from time, for lashing out at Joe Gray.

Line-ups:

COLERAINE: McKeown, Clanachan, Smyth, McDonald (Gaston ’64 mins), Devine, Stewart, Picking, Gray, Chillingsworth (Stokes ’68 mins), McAuley, Loughery (McHugh ’68 mins).

CRUSADERS: O’Hare, Hill, Donaghy, Dunlop, Murray, Muir (Mooney ’55 mins), O’Toole, McGreevy, Reilly, McCrae, Lockhart.

Subs Not Used: McAuley, Monaghan.

Referee:

David Best