Last Time Out

PHILIP Lowry’s first-half goal would prove to be the match winner as Coleraine were beaten at Seaview last month…

Date:

Tuesday, March 8, 2022

Result:

Crusaders 1-0 Coleraine

Goal – Lowry (’26 mins)

Report: 

A solitary goal from Philip Lowry would prove to be the match winner as Coleraine were punished for not taking their chances at Seaview.

Coleraine would make three changes for the contest as Aaron Traynor, Conor McKendry and Eoin Bradley were handed starts and it would be Bradley who would have the first shot of the game as his low drive was kept out by Jonathan Tuffey after seven minutes.

The hosts would get a foot hold into the game and threatened on 14 minutes as Gareth Deane dived low to keep out Ross Clarke’s effort, before Jordan Owens fired over the crossbar from Jordan O’Rourke’s clever cut back. On 21 minutes, a good passage of play from the Crues resulted in Philip Lowry blazing over from just outside the area.

Two minutes later, the Stripes would launch a counter attack which saw McKendry bend an effort over Tuffey’s net. However, the deadlock would be broken on 26 minutes as Coleraine fell sleep from a quick free-kick which allowed Lowry to squeeze the ball under the body of Deane.

Oran Kearney’s men looked to bounce back from that setback and should have had an instant equaliser as great play involving Jamie Glackin, Matthew Shevlin and Bradley released McKendry inside the box, but just when the winger looked like rattling the net, he would be denied at close range by Tuffey as Crusaders survived.

Tuffey would once again come to Crusaders’ rescue as he made a smart stop to prevent Shevlin, whilst at the other end, a trademark left foot strike by Ben Kennedy looked to be heading goal bound before Deane somehow tipped the effort around the post for a corner kick.

The first chance of the second-half would see Crusaders have a sight of goal as Jude Winchester’s 30-yard strike had to be tipped around the post by an alert Deane. Just before the hour mark, it would be Tuffey’s turn to make a stop as he tipped Lowry’s header over the crossbar.

Chances would be at a premium in the second 45 minutes with substitute Johnny McMurray testing the gloves of Deane, with Stephen O’Donnell going close with a header from a corner kick.

The travelling support would be left frustrated on 84 minutes as Patrick Kelly released Glackin inside the box with the winger would be thwarted by Tuffey. Just a minute later, a header forward by Josh Carson found substitute Curtis Allen but the marksman arrowed wide from an acute angle.

A defeat for Coleraine who must now try and respond for the BetMcLean League Cup final against Cliftonville on Sunday.

Line-ups:

CRUSADERS: Tuffey, Wilson, Lowry, Kennedy, Forsythe, O’Rourke, L. Patterson (Hegarty ’57 mins), Owens (McMurray ’57 mins), Winchester, Robinson, Clarke (Weir ’88 mins).

Subs Not Used: Shields (GK), Doyle, J. Patterson, Thompson.

COLERAINE: Deane, McKendry (McLaughlin ’87 mins), Lowry, Bradley, Carson, Wilson, O’Donnell, Glackin, Traynor (Brown ’67 mins), Kelly, Shevlin (Allen ’71 mins).

Subs Not Used: Gallagher (GK), Kane, Mullan.

Referee:

Steven Gregg