Last Time Out

JOSH Carson was at the double as Coleraine edged out Carrick Rangers the last time the two sides clashed back in March 2018…

Date:

Friday, March 23, 2018

Result:

Coleraine 3-2 Carrick Rangers

Goal – Carson (’47 mins, ’83 mins), Burns (’58 mins); Henderson (’37 mins), Smith (’84 mins)

Report:

COLERAINE went top of the Danske Bank Premiership after a hard fought 3-2 win over Carrick Rangers. A double from Josh Carson allied to a lovely finish from Aaron Burns means the Bannsiders will be top for at least 72 hours.

The first chance presented itself on 13 minutes as a long ball found the run of Eoin Bradley. The big striker held off his marker and laid the ball into the path of Ian Parkhill and his strike forced Harry Doherty into a smart save.

At the other end, the ‘Gers thought they had taken the lead as defender Daniel Larmour robbed Lyndon Kane in possession and fired an effort that hit the outside of the post with Chris Johns rooted to the spot.

Doherty blew a sigh of relief on 22 minutes as a first time cross from Martin Smith was misjudged by the Carrick ‘keeper. The ball hit off McConaghie and luckily for David McAlinden’s side it landed back into his arms.

However the home side were presented with the perfect opportunity to open the scoring as Bradley was brought down in the area by Damian McNulty. The responsibility was given to Aaron Burns but his spot kick was brilliantly saved by Doherty who dived low to his left.

The Amber Army had more reasons to celebrate on 37 minutes as poor defending by the Coleraine defence allowed Darren Henderson to slot home against his former club. It was an instinctive finish from the 32-year-old. Oran Kearney’s side were looking for a quick response but Doherty was there to claw away a volley from Josh Carson, before Stephen O’Donnell had a shot cleared off the line.

Whatever Oran Kearney said to his players at half-time had the desired effect as they levelled the scores two minutes into the second-half. A corner-kick found Brad Lyons at the back post and his pass picked out Carson who fired home from close range.

The home side nearly took the lead almost immediately as Bradley sent a free-kick over the bar, before the same player rounded Harry Doherty but couldn’t convert from a tight angle. After surviving an early onslaught, Carrick threatened as Eamon’s McAllister forced Johns into tipping his effort over the bar.

Burns would atone for his penalty miss on 58 minutes as Martin Smith picked out Brad Lyons inside the area and his clever flick found the ex-Linfield man who made no mistake to fire the Bannsiders in front. The home side went in search for a crucial third but nearly paid the price as Carrick substitute Michael Smith had a header cleared off the line by Gareth McConaghie.

The third goal arrived in spectacular fashion as Darren McCauley and Aaron Traynor played a neat one-two and the latter’s cut back was finished by Carson for his 10th goal of the season. Many would have thought Coleraine were done and dusted, but they weren’t. A sweet finish from Michael Smith reduced the gap to a single goal with five minutes remaining.

The Bannsiders were able to see the game out and move a point clear in the Danske Bank Premiership ahead of next weekend’s Irish Cup semi-final against Larne.

Line-ups:

COLERAINE: Johns, Kane, Smith, Bradley, Carson, Burns (Dooley ’72 mins), McConaghie, Lyons, O’Donnell, Parkhill (McCauley ’54 mins), Traynor.

Subs Not Used: Doherty (GK), Mullan, Douglas.

CARRICK RANGERS: Doherty, A Smyth (Mooney ’88 mins), Surgenor, Chapman, J Smith, McAllister, Scannell (M Smith ’61 mins), Larmour, Hassin, Henderson, McNulty (Morrow ’78 mins).

Subs Not Used: Gage, Fogarty.

Referee:

Ross Dunlop