Last Time Out

COLERAINE would ensure their defence of the BetMcLean League Cup trophy would continue as they recorded a 2-0 success against Glentoran…

Date:

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

Result:

Coleraine 2-0 Glentoran

Goals – Glackin (’19 mins), Shevlin (’63 mins)

Report: 

COLERAINE have a Bet McLean League Cup semi final to look forward to!

Goals from Jamie Glackin and Matthew Shevlin sent the Glens tumbling out of the competition.

It’s now 12 games since Coleraine suffered defeat to the Glens…ironically a League Cup quarter final in 2018.

And a fifth home game on the new surface without conceding a goal paved the way for this latest triumph.

After the opening skirmishes, it was Conor McKendry who almost got Coleraine off to a dream start, but his eighth minute shot from the edge of the area rebounded off the crossbar.

The Bannsiders did make the breakthrough however after 19 minutes and McKendry was again involved.

The home side counter attacked superbly with McKendry racing onto Jamie Glackin’s pass before squaring to Glackin who showed great composure to slot the ball past Ross Glendinning.

At the opposite end it was 25 minutes before Gareth Deane was called into action and he dealt comfortably with Patrick McClean’s long range attempt.

Hrvoje Plum then tried his luck three minutes later with one of his trademark long range free kicks but Deane again saved easily.

The visitors enjoyed plenty of possession – without posing a real threat – and it was the hosts who almost struck again five minutes before half time. Glackin sent a free kick into a dangerous area and Stevie O’Donnell headed narrowly over.

Glentoran served early notice of their intent within 20 seconds of the restart when Luke McCullough drilled a low shot past the post.

The same player then flashed an effort across the goalmouth moments later with no one on hand to provide a finishing touch.

It then took a last gasp block from skipper O’Donnell on 50 minutes to deny Jay Donnelly as the home side were forced to  soak up heavy pressure.

The Glens continued to threaten and Robbie McDaid got down low to meet a Bobby Burns cross on 58 minutes but his effort clipped the outside of the post.

Coleraine sparked into life with Aaron Traynor sending a teasing cross into the box.

And it was top goalscorer Matthew Shevlin who struck to double the advantage on 63 minutes.

The marksman took advantage of an error from Mal Smith and gave Glendinning no chance with the finish.

The visitors never looked like getting back into the tie after Shevlin’s strike and Coleraine managed the game well to seal their place in the last four.

Line-ups:

COLERAINE: Deane, Kane, Brown, McKendry (Jarvis ‘83 mins), Lowry, Carson, O’Donnell, Glackin, Traynor, Shevlin (Kelly ‘90 mins), Friel (Wilson ‘55 mins).

Subs Not Used: Henderson (GK), Mullan, Bradley, Parkhill.

GLENTORAN: Glendinning, McCullough, Bigirimana (Wightman ‘83 mins), Burns, J. Donnelly (Clucas ‘83 mins), McDaid, McClean, Smith (Jenkins ‘70 mins) Marron, McMenamin (Cushnie ‘70 mins) Plum (Crowe ‘83 mins)

Subs Not Used: Morris (GK), Garrett.

Referee:

Raymond Crangle