COLERAINE hosted Harland & Wolff Welders in their second pre-season friendly which would end up in a 3-1 victory…
By: Charlie Cooke
With only two minutes gone, Dean Jarvis was fouled on the halfway line with a tackle that was way too overzealous for a friendly. Just after that on three minutes Andy Scott had a shot outside the box that fizzed wide of the mark.
The pressure continued to build on the Welders because on five minutes a low ball crossed in from the right meant there was a scramble for the ball and David McDaid had his shot deflected into the hands of the opposition goalkeeper.
With nine minutes gone, Jamie Glackin made a successful challenge on the Welders player just on the halfway line, controlled the ball and his solo run forward would result in a shot that was just wide of the post.
Just after the quarter hour mark, the Welders were awarded a free kick after their player was fouled on the edge of the Coleraine box, with the resulting set piece being well saved by Gareth Deane.
On 20 minutes, a ball was put over the top by Stephen Lowry which McDaid was on the receiving end of. The striker did well to control the ball but the Welders defender was very tight to him, meaning he snatched at the shot off target.
Midway through the first half, Lynch was fouled on edge of the box after making a run from left-hand side of the pitch. The same player would then caress a delightful free-kick from the edge of the box into the top corner.
Just past the half hour mark, a corner is given to Coleraine after a flurry of crosses into the box. The resulting ball from the corner is headed out which Andy Scott volleys first time, however, the winger’s attempt fails to go below the crossbar.
Just before half-time, the Welders almost score an own goal after a cross comes in from right of the pitch that tries to find a Coleraine player, but a Welders defender meets the ball first and nearly diverts his interception into the back of the net.
Just after the start of the second half, the Welders would flash a dangerous ball across the Coleraine box but nothing comes of it for the visitors.
On 50 minutes, Deane gives possession away deep inside his own half which results in a ball into the box but the dangerous cross is just missed by the on-rushing Welders attacker at the near post and the ball bounces out for a goal kick.
Not long after that a quick passing move by Coleraine sees the final pass find McDaid in space but unfortunately, he had his shot saved. Just at the hour mark Lynch would find himself in space on the wing and he fired a low cross into the area but no one was there to receive the ball.
Just after the hour mark, a disorganized Coleraine would lose the ball in the midfield and they don’t react quickly enough. This allowed Josh Kee to fire an unstoppable effort from the edge of the box that beat Deane.
However, as the game was about to enter the last twenty minutes, good work on the wing allowed the ball to be crossed into the path of McDaid who made no mistake from close range.
Just before the full-time whistle was blown, Glackin fired a low cross into the box from the right wing which would be met by Scott and he finished confidently into the bottom corner.
Meanwhile, Coleraine also defeated Coagh United at Hagan Park as Michael McCrudden netted a second-half hat-trick, with Martin Gallagher, Kieran Farren, Conor McKendry, Aaron Jarvis and Andy Mitchell all involved in the 3-0 success.
COLERAINE: Deane, D. Jarvis, Kelly, Lowry, McDaid, O’Donnell, Lynch, Glackin, Scott, Smyth (O’Hara ’60 mins), Trialist (Callaghan ’75 mins).
Sub Not Used: Donnelly (GK)
Referee: Diarmuid Harrigan