Down Memory Lane

Down Memory Lane

COLERAINE would come from behind to defeat Donegal Celtic as Darren Boyce and Gordy Patton bagged second-half goals…

Date:

Saturday, January 20, 2007

Result:

Coleraine 3-1 Donegal Celtic

Goals – D. Patton (’42 mins), Boyce (’66 mins), G. Patton (’75 mins); (Armstrong ’34 mins)

Report:

COLERAINE boss Marty Quinn was remaining tight-lipped last night about speculation linking him with the vacant manager’s post at Newry City.

But Quinn certainly did his reputation no harm as the two substitutions he made helped turn the game and keep the Bannsiders pushing towards the top six teams in the table.

Goals from Gordon Patton and Darren Boyce turned the game after Coleraine old boy Sean Armstrong had given Donegal Celtic a 34th minute lead.

Quinn saluted Armstrong’s finish: “It was exceptional. He turns so well for a big man and we made the mistake of allowing him room to do it. In fairness to our keeper Davy O’Hare the ball hit a divot and gave him no chance.”

However, Davy Patton snatched a reply before the break and Coleraine copper-fastened success when the young ones delivered the goods.

Quinn added: “Davy’s goal was important before half-time and I was so pleased the way Boyce responded after finding himself on the bench following the cup defeat to Distillery.

“He took his goal so well and young Gordon Patton too. He has a real striker’s instinct and holds a ball up so well.”

Armstrong was gutted that Celtic did not take something from the game: ” If we had got in ahead at half-time it might have been different. We fell asleep at the wrong time and paid the price.”

The visitors’ goal was created and completed by former Coleraine players. Big Armstrong grabbed his fifth goal of the season, turning inside the box to crash defender Gerry Flynn’s pass wide of O’Hare with after 34 minutes.

Davy Patton delivered Coleraine’s response when Stephen Carson and Darren Cassidy set up the chance and he cracked home his eighth goal of the season.

It got even better for the home side when Boyce, who had replaced the injured Stephen Beatty, headed Carson’s sweeping cross past Brown from eight yards after 66 minutes.

Gordon Patton cemented victory in the 75th minute. John Neill, who produced another fine performance, cracked a shot past Brown. Defender Kevin Duff cleared the ball off the line and teenager Patton fired it home from 18 yards.

Line-ups:

COLERAINE: O’Hare, McLaughlin, Beatty (Boyce ’40 mins), Gaston, McVey, Whitehead (G. Patton ’71 mins), Neill, Carson, D. Patton, McCallion, Cassidy.

Sub Not Used: Anderson

DONEGAL CELTIC: Brown, Duff (Lavery ’88 mins), Flynn, McClean, Donaghy, McCabe (Harbinson ’81 mins), Bonnar (Lagan ’81 mins), McDonald, Armstrong, McAlorum, McVeigh.

Referee:

Robert Penny