MATTHEW Shevlin’s first-half goal proved to be the match-winner as Coleraine beat Cliftonville at The Showgrounds…
Ruaidhrí Higgins made two changes to his starting line-up as Rob Slevin and Jay Henderson were drafted in as Levi Ives and Lewis McGregor dropped to the bench.
On a windy day on the Ballycastle Road, the visitors threatened inside the first minute when Rory Hale’s low effort from 25 yards was gathered by Lewis Webb.
At the other end, a loose pass by Cliftonville was seized upon by Joel Cooper and after he drove forward, his low attempt was kept at bay by PJ Morrison.
On 13 minutes, Coleraine made the breakthrough in what turned out to be the winner. In a fine team move, Matthew Shevlin picked out Henderson, who in turn, found the run of Joe Thomson. The midfielder was able to centre the ball for Shevlin to stroke home.
That advantage was almost wiped out immediately as Cliftonville hit the post just two minutes later when Brian Healy’s shot came back off the upright as Coleraine survived.
Coleraine, who recovered from their first Premiership loss against Linfield to beat Bangor last time out, then went close on two further occasions but neither Ben Doherty or Will Patching could breach Morrison’s goal.
The Bannsiders were continuing to create chances in difficult conditions as Joel Cooper saw a curling attempt go wide, before Henderson scooped an effort over the bar after being picked out at the edge of the box by Doherty.
The first opening of the second half saw Cooper played in behind the Cliftonville defence, and after he managed to get a yard of space, his crisp shot was thwarted by Morrison.
The Reds made their way to the north coast after four successive Premiership defeats but they threatened on 52 minutes when Dean McMaster’s well-executed shot went narrowly wide after his initial free-kick attempt came back off the wall.
Just before the hour mark, Coleraine subbed on Lyndon Kane and Ben Wylie, with the latter helping the Stripes create their next chance as Wylie’s cut-back picked out Thomson who was unable to score for a third game running.
Another flowing move by Coleraine almost yielded a killer second as Cooper received the ball inside the box but Morrison got a strong hand to tip his effort around the post.
After Morrison made another great intervention to deny Wylie from distance, the Bannsiders had Lewis Webb to thank as the custodian showed his reflexes to tip Rory Hale’s 30-yard effort over the crossbar. From the resulting corner, Shaun Leppard’s header came back off the crossbar as Coleraine blew a sigh of relief.
Despite four minutes being added, Coleraine managed to see the game out to register all three points.
COLERAINE: Webb, Boyle (Ives '84 mins), Stewart, Patching (Devine '89 mins), Shevlin, Cooper, Wilson, Henderson (Wylie '55 mins), Slevin (Kane '55 mins), Doherty, Thomson.
Subs Not Used: Schofield (GK), McGregor, Brooks, Devine.
CLIFTONVILLE: Morrison, Samuels (Conlan '63 mins), Wilson (Murray '84 mins), Campbell (Sheridan, 70 mins), Hale, Healy (Gormley '84 mins), Leppard, McClelland, McMaster, Quinn (McStravick '63 mins), Bannon.
Subs Not Used: Cremen-Cowan (GK), O'Connor.
Referee: Tony Clarke