Down Memory Lane

COLERAINE and Dungannon Swifts clashed back in December 2018 when goals from Darren McCauley and James McLaughlin were enough to seal a 2-1 win for the Bannsiders…

Date:

Saturday, December 22, 2018

Result:

Coleraine 2-1 Dungannon Swifts

Goals – McCauley (’31 mins), McLaughlin (’50 mins); Hughes (’62 mins)

Report:

DARREN McCauley and James McLaughlin were on the scoresheet as Coleraine earned a hard fought win over Dungannon Swifts at The Showgrounds.

In a slow start to proceedings on the Ballycastle Road, it took until the 20th minute for the first opportunity to arrive as McCauley’s cross found the run of Ian Parkhill but the winger’s header failed to hit the target.

The breakthrough arrived on 31 minutes as Lyndon Kane’s cross into the box was flicked by Gareth McConaghie into the path of McCauley. As the midfielder set himself up to shoot, he was brought down inside the box by Kris Lowe and McCauley made no mistake as he fired home his 8th goal of the season.

After testing the goal through an early Chris Hegarty free-kick, the Swifts threatened again on 33 minutes as Daniel Hughes’ cross found its way to Lowe but his goal bound effort was headed away to safety by the alert McConaghie.

The home side almost doubled their lead on 36 minutes as a neat passage of play resulted in Stephen Lowry picking out Parkhill inside the box. The Ballymoney man’s first shot was blocked, before he could fire wide with the second opportunity.

However the second goal duly arrived on 50 minutes as McCauley went on a long surging run and his cross was finished by McLaughlin who expertly found the top corner. The game should have been put to bed three minutes later as a poor back pass found McLaughlin but he failed to hit the target.

Kris Lindsay’s side would grab a lifeline on 62 minutes as Paul McElroy’s clearance was chased down by the energetic Hughes. The ex-Cliftonville man evaded the challenges of Kane and McConaghie to slide the ball into the corner.

The two goal cushion was nearly restored in bizarre circumstances as Josh Carson’s free-kick was fumbled just wide by Swifts stopper Alex Moore. The Swifts targeted a share of the spoils and they were thwarted on the goal line as the Bannsiders defence held firm to deny Seanan Clucas from close range, before Hegarty headed wide from a corner-kick.

The home faithful had substitute Graham Crown to thank late on as a long ball caught the Coleraine defence napping and Hughes was able to round ‘keeper Chris Johns, but thankfully his effort was tame and Crown was there to clear the danger.

A good three points for the Stripes who now turn their attentions to the Boxing Day fixture against Ballymena United.

Line-ups:

COLERAINE: Johns, Kane (Crown ’84 mins), Mullan, Harkin, McCauley, Lowry, McLaughlin (McGonigle ’60 mins), Carson, McConaghie, Parkhill (Gawne ’74 mins), Canning.

Subs Not Used: Doherty (GK), Douglas, Bradley, Whiteside.

DUNGANNON SWIFTS: Moore, Dykes, Hegarty, Wilson (Campbell ’84 mins), Armstrong. Clucas, Hughes, McElroy, O’Rourke (Hutchinson ’63 mins), Lafferty (Patton ’63 mins), Lowe.

Subs Not Used: Teggart, Burke, Smyth, O’Carroll.

Referee:

Evan Boyce