Fond Farewell

COLERAINE end 2018 in the hope of earning a valuable three points as the Bannsiders make the trip to Milltown (KO 3pm)…

The Bannsiders had to settle for a point on Boxing Day after earning a 3-3 draw with Ballymena United. The Stripes had a 3-1 lead but the Sky Blues made the extra man count in the last 25 minutes to earn a share of the spoils. As for the home side, they also earned a draw against derby rivals Newry City despite having Anto Reilly dismissed early in the second-half.

This will be the third meeting between the two sides this season with Coleraine winning the first 3-0 at The Showgrounds. However the reverse fixture was won by the ‘Point as Robbie Norton’s penalty was enough to earn all three points at Milltown.

Bannsiders boss Rodney McAree will be without the services of James McLaughlin through suspension, with Aaron Traynor and Aaron Burns both ruled out through injury. There is hope that Stephen O’Donnell will soon be up to match fitness after being named in the matchday panel last time out.

After picking up four points from their previous two fixtures, boss McAree has challenged his troops to claim maximum points tomorrow afternoon.

“We will be hoping to reverse the last fixture as we suffered a 2-1 defeat at Milltown earlier in the season,” he said.

“They are a good side and they are playing some good football under Stephen McDonald and we know that it will not be an easy place to go.

“We have had two big shifts already this week already from the boys and we will be asking for another big one on Saturday before facing Cliftonville on New Year’s Day.

“If we go to Warrenpoint and pick up three points then we will not have had a bad run over the Christmas period so far.”

As ever, those unable to attend can follow the latest developments via the club’s official Twitter account (@ColeraineFC).