Last Time Out

MATTHEW Shevlin would net twice as Coleraine picked up maximum points against Warrenpoint Town back in October…

Date:

Saturday, October 23, 2021

Result:

Coleraine 2-0 Warrenpoint Town

Goals – Shevlin (‘6 mins & ’52 mins)

Report: 

COLERAINE moved up to third in the Danske Bank Premiership for the time being as Matthew Shevlin’s double saw off the challenge of Warrenpoint Town at The Showgrounds.

Coleraine boss Oran Kearney made two changes to his starting line-up as Adam Mullan and Cathair Friel were introduced as the expense of Rodney Brown and Eoin Bradley.

The Bannsiders would hit the front after just six minutes as a clever ball released the run of Shevlin who was clean through on goal. The striker – who beat the offside trap – had the vision to see the onrushing Conor Mitchell come off his line and he delicately lobbed the ball over the ‘Point stopper.

On 24 minutes, Kearney’s men thought they had a second goal to celebrate as Lyndon Kane’s cross met Friel at the back post and the striker comfortably dispatched into the back of the net. The striker – who thought he was going to make it two goals in his last two games – would have his joy short lived as the lineman’s raised his flag for offside.

The visitors would settle into the game and have plenty of possession but their only real chance of note would be on-loan winger Thomas Maguire who forced Gareth Deane into a smart save from an acute angle.

The Stripes wouldn’t have to wait long to add to their tally after the break as Shevlin couldn’t miss for his second of the afternoon on 52 minutes. A great passage of football involving Friel and McKendry saw the winger crossing for the ex-Ballymena man who fired in his tenth goal of the campaign.

Just after the hour mark, Shevlin would miss a guilt edged chance to go home with the match ball as he was picked out by McKendry inside the area. The 22-year-old would take a neat first touch but his strike sailed harmlessly over the bar.

Minutes later, there would be further frustration for Shevlin as he was in the right place at the right time to head home from Aaron Traynor’s left wing cross. Similarly to Friel, the striker would be left frustrated as the lineman’s flag was once again raised for offside.

Barry Gray’s side to their credit continued to push forward and threaten the goal as Kealan Dillon’s long range free-kick was tipped over by Deane, before Fra McCaffrey fired over from just inside the box. On 84 minutes, ‘keeper Deane was determined to preserve a clean sheet as he dived low to keep out Dermot McVeigh’s daisy cutter at the edge of the area.

A goal in each half on the Ballycastle Road for Coleraine who now face Portadown next Saturday.

Line-ups:

COLERAINE: Deane, Kane, Mullan, McKendry (Wilson ’75 mins), Lowry, Carson, O’Donnell, Glackin, Traynor, Shevlin (Bradley ’75 mins), Friel.

Subs Not Used: Gallagher (GK), Jarvis, Tweed, Parkhill, Kelly.

WARRENPOINT TOWN: Mitchell, Ball, McVeigh, Dillon, McCaffrey, Gallagher (Deasy ’71 mins), Wade Slater, Moorhouse (O’Sullivan ’77 mins), Maguire, Leddy (Hutchinson ’31 mins), Byrne.

Subs Not Used: Coleman (GK), Peers, Dunne, Quinn.

Referee:

Tony Clarke