Down Memory Lane

CURTIS Allen struck the decisive goal late on as Coleraine finally got the better of bogey side Crusaders at The Showgrounds on Saturday afternoon.

In a much more open contest than either of the two sides’ recent cup meetings, Coleraine went close early on as captain David Ogilby sent a header crashing off the bar. At the other end, Michael Doherty saved from David Rainey and the action continued at a frenetic pace as Stephen Lowry was sent through on goal but missed the target when one-on-one with Crusaders ‘keeper Sean O’Neill.

Doherty was perhaps fortunate when a poor kick deflected off Timmy Adamson and bounced wide rather than into the unguarded goal. But he atoned by making a good stop with his feet to deny Rainey.

Doherty’s opposite number O’Neill then made an excellent stop to keep out an effort from Paul Owens and later palmed away Ruairi Harkin’s free kick and Owens, with just seconds to react, steered his header over the bar.

Coleraine started the second half on the front foot with Ryan McIlmoyle getting forward well from left back and finding a lot of space to roll the ball into the path of Owens, who shot tamely at O’Neill.

Lowry and Allen missed the target with a couple of efforts from distance and although Coleraine kept pushing, Crusaders’ defence held firm. But another Lowry shot in the 77th minute was parried behind for a corner and from this Coleraine finally got their reward.

Sub Ciaran Clarke’s corner was half cleared by the Crusaders defence, but Ogilby headed it back into the danger area, Howard Beverland flicked it on and Curtis Allen got up between two defenders to nod home.

But they were almost pegged back within a minute as Crusaders broke from the kick off and Timmy Adamson got in behind the defence and fired wide with only Doherty left to beat. O’Neill then denied Clarke, keeping out his ferocious close range drive after the ball came to him inside the six yard box.

Harkin then blocked a shot from Crues sub Stuart Dallas as Coleraine held on for a vital win which moves them to within one point of third-placed Cliftonville.