Last Time Out

COLERAINE and Crusaders would uncharacteristically draw a blank as both teams cancelled each other out just before Christmas…

Date:

Saturday, December 18, 2021

Result:

Coleraine 0-0 Crusaders

Report: 

COLERAINE were held to a goalless draw by Crusaders as both teams had to settle for a point at The Showgrounds.

Bannsiders boss Oran Kearney named an unchanged starting line-up from the midweek win against Warrenpoint Town but it would be the visitors who would threaten first as Paul Heatley’s effort from the edge of the area went inches by the post.

At the other end, Jamie Glackin went in search for his second goal in as many games but his lobbed attempt failed to test Jonny Tuffey. Both teams would struggle to create any meaningful chances in the opening 45 minutes as Stephen O’Donnell went close to meeting a corner kick.

Despite the first-half being a low key affair, the woodwork would be struck just four minutes after the restart as a neat passage of play resulted in Jordan Forsythe’s effort cannoning off the crossbar.

On 54 minutes, the Bannsiders thought they had the made the breakthrough as a throw-in wasn’t cleared by the Crusaders defence and the ball landed at the feet of Josh Carson. The midfielder – who netted in the reverse fixture back in October – was unable to steer his strike on target.

Kearney went to his bench to bring on James McLaughlin in a bid to take the lead but Stephen Baxter’s side would rue their luck as Gareth Deane made a superb stop to deny Declan Caddell, before Heatley arrowed over when well positioned inside the area.

However, the chance of the game would arrive on 86 minutes as a superb delivery into the box by BJ Burns met Adam Lecky at the back post. The substitute looked destined to find the back of the net but his header went wide of the far post.

A point for the Bannsiders who remain in sixth spot in the Danske Bank Premiership.

Line-ups:

COLERAINE: Deane, Kane, Brown, McKendry, Lowry, Bradley (McLaughlin ’64 mins), Carson, O’Donnell, Glackin (Friel ’83 mins), Traynor, Shevlin (Kelly ’83 mins).

Subs Not Used: Gallagher (GK), Mullan, Jarvis, Wilson.

CRUSADERS: Tuffey, Burns, Hegarty, Weir, Caddell, Forsythe, O’Rourke, Heatley, Robinson, Clarke, McMurray (Lecky ’69 mins)

Subs Not Used: O’Neill (GK), Wilson, Lowry, Frazer, Owens, J. Thompson.

Referee:

Steven Gregg