Last Time Out

COLERAINE and Warrenpoint Town would face off in February as two own goals would seal a 2-1 success for the Bannsiders…

Date:

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Result:

Coleraine 2-1 Warrenpoint Town

Goals – Wade Slater own goal (’49 mins), Byrne own goal (’85 mins); O’Sullivan (’73 mins)

Report: 

COLERAINE would leave it late to secure all three points against Warrenpoint Town and move to within a point of fifth place.

On a cool evening at The Showgrounds, it would take until the 12th minute for the first opportunity to arrive as a rasping drive from distance was spilled by Stephen McMullan, but the ‘Point stopper was on hand to control the rebound before Curtis Allen pounced.

At the other end, Gareth Deane would be forced into a smart save after Aaron Traynor was adjudged to have fouled Luke Wade Slater just outside the box. The resulting free-kick was taken by Steven Ball but the full-back would be denied by an outstretched arm by Deane.

The Bannsiders – who were looking to put last weekend’s defeat to Cliftonville behind them – would try twice to score from distance but neither Aaron Traynor nor Aaron Jarvis threatened to overly test McMullan.

On 36 minutes, the visitors would spurn another chance to take the lead as a long ball forward was headed clear by Rodney Brown into the path of Luke Wade Slater. The former Larne man had time to control the ball before sending a crisp half volley wide of the far post.

A minute before half-time, Barry Gray’s side would have the best chance of the opening 45 minutes as a flick-on released Wade Slater who bore down on goal. The midfielder was able to get a strike away but a combination of last ditch pressure from Stephen O’Donnell and a save from Deane prevented him from finding the back of the net.

Coleraine wouldn’t have to wait long to make the breakthrough after the interval as they edged ahead on 48 minutes. A dangerous corner kick by Jamie Glackin was diverted into his own goal by Wade Slater. Minutes later, the ball would break into the path of Curtis Allen but he could arrow a strike wide of the far post.

After Stephen Lowry fizzed a half volley over the crossbar, the visitors would restore parity as the ball was played into the path of Alan O’Sullivan. The substitute would be allowed to turn inside the area but his strike squirmed under the arms of Deane and into the net.

Oran Kearney brought on Matthew Shevlin, James McLaughlin and Ronan Wilson in a bid to find a winner and it almost paid dividends as Shevlin could only steer an effort wide from Josh Carson’s cross, before McLaughlin headed over the bar from Glackin’s corner.

However, there would be late drama as Coleraine bagged the all important third goal of the contest. A superb pass from Glackin released Carson down the left-hand-side and his cross was met by the Daniel Byrne who scored an own goal after being put under pressure by Lowry.

At the death, the points were almost sealed as Shevlin fired into the body of McMullan but it was a case of job done at The Showgrounds as the two teams do it all over again on Saturday.

Line-ups:

COLERAINE: Deane, Kane, Brown, Jarvis (McLaughlin ’80 mins), McKendry (Carson ’25 mins), Lowry, O’Donnell, Glackin, Traynor (Wilson ’80 mins), Allen, Mitchell (Shevlin ’68 mins).

Subs Not Used: Gallagher (GK), Bradley, Kelly.

WARRENPOINT TOWN: McMullan, Ball, Hand, Dillon, McCaffrey (Wixted ’58 mins), Gallagher, Wade Slater, Moorhouse (A O’Sullivan ’66 mins), McKenna (Leddy ’78 mins), Byrne, R O’Sullivan.

Subs Not Used: Coleman (GK), Quinn, Wilson.

Referee:

Ben McMaster