Home Improvements

COLERAINE kick start a new era as they play on the new synthetic surface at The Showgrounds for the first time this afternoon against Ballymena United (KO 3pm)…

Danske Bank Premiership

Overview:

Coleraine secured a share of the spoils last weekend as Conor McKendry’s tremendous strike earned a 1-1 draw against Linfield at Windsor Park. The Bannsiders looked like they would leave the National Stadium empty handed but winger McKendry smashed home an unstoppable effort from outside the box to give Oran Kearney’s men a deserved point. The fixture will be the Stripes’ first home game this season as there has been a series of ground improvements in the summer, including a new synthetic surface on the main pitch, changing room upgrades and a refurbishment of the gym.

Ballymena United have won two and drawn one of their last three fixtures in all competitions. The Sky Blues lost their opening two fixtures against Warrenpoint Town and Glentoran but responded to win against Annagh United in the League Cup, before Ryan Waide’s last strike earned a 1-1 draw against Glenavon last weekend. David Jeffrey’s side were also in County Antrim Shield action through the week with Paul McElroy and Ryan Waide netting in a 2-0 success against Harland and Wolff Welders. There was a total of ten new arrivals at Warden Street as Sam Johnston, Lee Chapman, Caolan Loughran, Chris Rodgers, Jack Henderson, Brendan Barr (loan), Dougie Wilson, Daniel Bramall, David Parkhouse and Jonte Smith all made the move to United.

Previous meetings:

The two sides met three times last season with Ballymena United winning the first and Coleraine securing maximum points from the next two. The first went in the way of Ballymena United on the opening day of last season as Kofi Balmer’s header would prove to be the difference despite Josh Kelly’s first-half dismissal.

However, Coleraine avenged that defeat by picking up maximum points on Warden Street in February. A rare goal from Lyndon Kane would separate the sides who had ‘keeper Jordan Williamson sent-off for a lunging tackle on Stewart Nixon.

In April, the Bannsiders would travel to Warden Street again and broke the deadlock on 41 minutes as Aaron Traynor and Ben Doherty played a neat one-two with the defender seeing his first effort blocked, before lashing home at the second attempt. The visitors made a blistering start to the second-half as they doubled their lead on 47 minutes. The ball was superbly held up by Bradley and he picked out Lowry inside the box, with the midfielder expertly guiding his effort into the bottom corner. On 79 minutes, the Braidmen did pull a goal back as Redman – who had the woodwork on two previous occasions – flicked a header into the bottom corner. There would be one final chance for the hosts as McCartan evaded a challenge before hitting straight down the throat of Gallagher, with James McLaughlin lashing wide at the other end.

Manager’s Thoughts:

“I’m just glad we have a home fixture and what a game it is,” Kearney said.

“I hope with it being a derby, it will bring out even more people.

“I really enjoyed the game at Windsor Park because there was people there, and particularly our goal and the cheer that went up with it. It’s good to have that side of football back.

“The Showgrounds is a brilliant ground, I think it’s a real old fashioned ground and when you get a real good crowd in, it it’s noisy.

“We’ve had some great days in it over the years and we just look forward to getting back in there.”

Officials:

The match referee will be Christoper Morrison.

The assistant referees are Paul Robinson and Kristian Hanna.

Steven Gregg has been allocated as the fourth official.

Sponsors:

The match sponsor is Lynas Foodservice.

John Marshall, Tractor and Agricultural Machinery, has kindly sponsored the match ball.

Our list of mascots include Blake Edwards, Jack Hartin, Lucas Tolan and Daryl Hopkins.

The Man of the Match award will be sponsored by Holley Optometrists.

Admission:

Season tickets are valid for the fixture with full information regarding card collection HERE.

Non-season ticket holders will require matchday tickets for the fixture which can be bought online HERE.

Ballymena fans will also need tickets to enter the stadium which can be purchased HERE.

If you are not feeling yourself tomorrow afternoon and you have symptoms which you feel are similar to COVID-19, please stay away from the stadium and think of others.

If you have access to a lateral flow/PCR test at home, we would encourage you to check yourself before coming to the game.

If you have been in contact with a positive case and haven’t yet been contacted by track and trace, please do not come to the game.

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