Last Time Out

Last Time Out

COLERAINE would put in their best performance of the season to beat Linfield at the beginning of January…

Date:

Saturday, January 29, 2022

Result:

Coleraine 3-0 Linfield

Goals – Kane (’11 mins), Shevlin (’75 mins), Glackin (’85 mins)

Report: 

COLERAINE produced a fine performance as they saw off the challenge of Linfield at The Showgrounds…

In front of a packed crowd on the Ballycastle Road, the Stripes would take the lead on 11 minutes from the penalty spot. A strike from Matthew Shevlin hit the hand of Ethan Devine leaving Steven Gregg with no hesitation in pointing to the spot. The ball was rifled into the net by Lyndon Kane who left Chris Johns with no chance.

Linfield – who came into the contest top of the table – threatened on 18 minutes as a trademark cross from Kirk Millar was headed over the bar by Sam Roscoe. Seven minutes later, Jamie Mulgrew found the run of Stephen Fallon but his strike failed to test Gareth Deane.

In opening 45 minutes that failed to have many opportunities, the Blues would have a sight of goal six minutes before the break as Millar’s strike was straight down the throat of Deane.

The visitors would enjoy plenty of the ball in the early stages of the second-half with a clever dummy by Kyle McClean releasing Fallon inside the area but thankfully Coleraine were able to avert the danger. A short time later, a free-kick by McClean met the head of Jimmy Callacher but he couldn’t send his effort goalwards.

Just after the hour mark, David Healy’s men thought they had drawn level as McClean’s flick released Jordan Stewart inside the box, and just when the winger was about to shoot, he was thwarted by a timely goal saving block by Aaron Jarvis.

On 75 minutes, Coleraine would go further ahead as a poor pass by Michael Newberry was seized upon by Stephen Lowry. The midfielder had the vision to pick out Shevlin who did the rest as he took two neat touches to take the ball past Jimmy Callacher before finishing into the far corner of the net.

Oran Kearney’s men would grab a scintillating third goal of the contest as they turned defence into attack. A corner kick from Matthew Clarke was forced onto the crossbar by Deane with Coleraine producing a devastating counter attack. A strong run and pass by Jarvis released Glackin inside the area and the midfielder did the rest by smashing a strike into the net.

A fantastic afternoon for Coleraine who now have their eyes on the Irish Cup next weekend.

Line-ups:

COLERAINE: Deane, Kane, Mullan, Brown, Jarvis, Lowry, Carson, O’Donnell, Glackin (Wilson ’90 mins), Allen (Mitchell ’70 mins), Shevlin (McKendry ’83 mins).

Subs Not Used: Gallagher (GK), McLaughlin, Bradley, Traynor.

LINFIELD: Johns, Roscoe, Newberry (Pepper ’76 mins) Callacher, Millar, Stewart (A. Clarke ’76 mins), M. Clarke, McClean (McKee ’70 mins) Devine, Fallon, Mulgrew.

Subs Not Used: Walsh (GK), Archer, Montgomery, McCoubrey.

Referee:

Steven Gregg