Friday night lights at The Showgrounds

COLERAINE welcome North-West neighbours Institute to The Showgrounds this evening as the Bannsiders aim to maintain their strong start to the season (KO 7:45pm)…

The Bannsiders escaped from The Oval last weekend with a point as Eoin Bradley’s late header earned a share of the spoils in East Belfast. It means the Stripes have picked up 7 points from their opening three fixtures and currently occupy 2nd place in the Danske Bank Premiership. The visitors have made a bright start on their return to the top flight as they have picked up home wins against Newry City and Warrenpoint Town, with striker Michael McCrudden impressing after getting on the scoresheet on three occasions.

The two sides met each other twice in cup competitions last season as ‘Stute beat the Bannsiders in the North-West Cup Final in October. However the final meeting was in the Irish Cup and Coleraine ran out 4-0 winners via an own goal, a brace from Jamie McGonigle and an exquisite lob from Eoin Bradley. It will be a familiar affair for many players on show as the Stripes have five former Institute players in their ranks, with the visitors also having many ex-Bannsiders in their panel, including summer signings Darren Henderson and Aaron Canning.

Coleraine manager Oran Kearney will once again be without the services of Lyndon Kane and James McLaughlin through injury, however midfielder Stephen Lowry is expected to return to the matchday panel after missing out in last week’s clash against Glentoran. The boss knows that his side will have to be firing on all cylinders to secure a positive result on the Ballycastle Road.

“It will absolutely be a difficult game as Institute have won two games already and put up a good showing at Windsor Park, so we’re quite clear about how tough it’s going to be,” he said.

“I think particularly with the new teams, it’s a trend that they make a good start for example Ballinamallard a few years ago who came up and set the league alight. You generally find that they start well due to the buzz and everything that goes with it.

“They definitely raise their game and their performance, so we know we will have to be at our best.”

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

Supporters are once again reminded that entry to the ground is via matchday card/season tickets only.