COLERAINE were beaten 4-0 by Crusaders at The Showgrounds as three late goals sealed the deal for the visitors…
By: Charlie Cooke
There were two changes to the Bannsiders’ starting line-up as Aaron Jarvis replaced the injured Jamie Glackin , whilst Lee Harkin was replaced by Dean Jarvis who was available following suspension.
With 10 minutes played, Lee Lynch had the Bannsiders’ first chance as he latched on to Darren Cole’s ball over the top in the box. After a superb first touch, the midfielder was unable to place the ball around Jonny Tuffey who caught the ball.
On 14 minutes, the Crues made it 1-0 through Philip Lowry as the midfielder saw his long-range strike nestle in the bottom corner following Adam Lecky’s cut back.
Soon after, Conor McKendry was found a yard inside the box by Lynch’s cross from the left wing, however, he couldn’t divert his long-range on target as the ball went well wide.
In the last action of the first half, Lynch found Matthew Shevlin with a cross into the box from the left wing. The striker controlled the ball after it bobbled up and with his attempt from an acute angle sailing over the crossbar.
Three minutes into the second half, Martin Gallagher made a great one-on-one save as Paul Heatley chested the ball down and advanced unchallenged. The shot stopper did well to push Heatley’s lobbed shot over the woodwork for a corner.
With 69 minutes played, Gallagher made a vital save as Billy Joe Burns was found at the back post from a corner and volleyed goalward. Just as the ball was heading towards the net, Gallagher was able to stop going over the line as he caught the ball.
With nine minutes remaining, the Crues doubled their lead as Heatley headed the ball through to Ben Kennedy who ran through and calmly slotted the ball past Gallagher.
The scoring would continue on 87 minutes as Lecky crossed the ball into the box that found the head of Daniel Larmour who converted from close range.
The last action of the game action of match saw the Crues make it 4-0 through Jarlath O’Rourke with a strike just outside the box that flew into the top corner.
The Bannsiders’ next competitive game is against Bangor at the The Showgrounds on Tuesday night in the BetMcLean Cup.
COLERAINE: Gallagher, Kane, D. Jarvis, Kelly, A. Jarvis, McKendry (McDaid ’64 mins), Shevlin, Carson (O’Mahony ’64 mins), Lynch, Cole (Mitchell ’75 mins), Scott.
Subs Not Used: Donnelly (GK), Wallace, Harkin, Devine.
CRUSADERS: Tuffey, Burns , Lowry, B. Kennedy (Smith ’90 mins), Lecky, O’Rourke, Larmour, Heatley, McKeown, Clarke (Teelan ’90 mins), Anderson.
Subs Not Used: Kerr (GK), M. Kennedy, Owens, Robinson.
Referee: Ben McMaster