Last Time Out

A hat-trick from Jamie McGonigle helped the Bannsiders to register a 4-2 success against Crusaders back in April…

Date:

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Result:

Coleraine 4-2 Crusaders

Goal – McGonigle (’26 mins, ’33 mins, ’66 mins), Glackin (’59 mins); Ruddy (’39 mins), Cushley (’63 mins)

Report:

COLERAINE recorded their first win in six games as Jamie McGonigle’s hat-trick helped the Bannsiders to all three points against Crusaders.

In a quiet opening at The Showgrounds, it took until the 14^th minute for the first chance to arrive as Billy Joe Burns tested the hands of Chris Johns, before Coleraine striker Jamie McGonigle fired over a minute later from Aaron Canning’s superb delivery. Crusaders had a further opportunity on 22 minutes as a long ball released the run of Ronan Hale but his effort was saved by the legs of Johns.

However, Coleraine hit the front on 26 minutes as former Crusaders midfielder Jamie Glackin showed neat foot work on the byline and crossed for McGonigle who chested into the net from close range. It wouldn’t be long before Coleraine fans would celebrate again as they added a second seven minutes later after a superb cross field pass by James McLaughlin found McGonigle and he rifled home his second of the game.

The Bannsiders went inches away from adding a third moments later as Cormac Burke’s pass found McLaughlin outside the area, but the striker’s curling effort went narrowly wide of the far post. However, the Irish Cup finalists got themselves back into the game on 39 minutes as Jordan Forsythe cut inside and his lobbed pass released full-back Michael Ruddy who slotted home past Johns. Remarkably, they nearly tied the scores before the half-time whistle as David Cushley’s thunderous free-kick forced Johns into a stop.

The home side threatened on 57 minutes as McGonigle cut inside and fired an effort wide, but the two goal cushion was restored two minutes later as Burke’s long range effort was deflected into the net by Glackin for his first goal in Coleraine colours.

The drama continued as Crusaders were awarded a penalty four minutes later as Paul Heatley was tripped inside the area by Ben Doherty. The ice cool David Cushley stepped up and sent Johns the wrong way to reduce the arrears to a single goal.

Incredibly the goals kept on coming as McGonigle grabbed the match ball on 66 minutes as the former Northern Ireland under-21 international let fly with a 35-yard free-kick that deceived ‘keeper Harry Doherty. It would be the Dungiven man’s first senior hat trick and took his tally to 12 goals in his last 20 games against Stephen Baxter’s side.

Crusaders pushed for a way back into the game but Ruddy’s audacious effort was as good as they got, with McGonigle denied a fourth goal off the line as Coleraine ran out victors.

Line-ups:

COLERAINE: Johns, McLaughlin (E. Bradley ’72 mins), Crown, Parkhill (Davidson ’82 mins), McGonigle, Canning, B. Doherty, Burke (J. Bradley ’86 mins), Edgar, Glackin, King.

Subs Not Used: Doherty (GK), Douglas, McConaghie, Shiels.

CRUSADERS: H. Doherty, Burns, Coates, Ward, Lowry, Cushley, Forsythe, Ruddy, Thompson (Caddell ‘ 46 mins), Ronan Hale (K. Owens ’76 mins), Rory Hale (Heatley ’46 mins).

Subs Not Used: Scutt (GK), McChrystal, Beverland, Patterson.

Referee:

Andrew Davey