Last Time Out

COLERAINE would lose out to Cliftonville in the post-split fixtures as two first-half goals did the damage at The Showgrounds…

Date:

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Result:

Coleraine 1-2 Cliftonville

Goals – Bradley (’85 mins); R. Curran (’18 mins). Gormley (’36 mins)

Report: 

COLERAINE lost for a third successive home game as two first-half goals did the damage for Cliftonville…

Coleraine boss Oran Kearney made one change to his starting line-up as Curtis Allen started at the expense of Adam Mullan, which meant a reshuffle of his defence as Lyndon Kane, Aaron Jarvis and Stephen O’Donnell deputised in the heart of a back three.

With less than a minute on the clock, the Bannsiders would have the first sight of goal as Josh Carson did well to rob Cliftonville inside their own half and burst into the box. The midfielder would send a dangerous cross into the box that just missed a vital touch by Matthew Shevlin.

On 10 minutes, both teams would have chances as Stephen O’Donnell headed over from Jamie Glackin’s cross, whilst at the other end, Ryan Curran would see a half volley sail over the crossbar.

However, the deadlock would be broken on 18 minutes as referee Jamie Robinson – with the aid of his assistant – pointed to the spot after Rodney Brown was adjudged to have brought down Jamie McDonagh inside the area. The ball would be picked by Ryan Curran who comfortably dispatched from 12 yards.

After Allen saw a strike from distance sail harmlessly over the crossbar, Cliftonville would double their lead on 36 minutes. A long ball forward by Rory Hale set Joe Gormley through on goal and the striker made no mistake as he found the bottom corner with an ice-cool finish.

Coleraine needed a strong start to the second-half and they almost reduced their arrears on 58 minutes. A sweeping move that involved Patrick Kelly and Jamie Glackin saw the ball being sent to Rodney Brown and his cut back teed up Stephen Lowry who forced Luke McNicholas into a smart save.

Kearney decided to freshen up his attack by bringing on Eoin Bradley and James McLaughlin and that would almost pay dividends on 64 minutes. A long ball forward by Gareth Deane was flicked on by Bradley into the path of McLaughlin who saw his turn and shot fire wide of the near post.

The visitors didn’t create as many chances in the second-half as they did in the first but they went within a lick of paint of adding a third as Levi Ives’ free-kick cannoned of the post with Deane rooted to the spot.

With a quarter of an hour remaining, the Stripes would be dealt with a blow as Jamie Glackin received his marching orders from referee Robinson following an exchange of words between the pair.

However, despite that setback, Coleraine would get a lifeline with five minutes to go as Brown’s flick on released Bradley inside the box. The striker still had a lot to do as he burst inside the area, evaded the challenge of Colin Coates before chipping the ball over the advancing McNicholas.

Unfortunately, that’s as good as it got for Coleraine who couldn’t force him an equaliser.

Line-ups:

COLERAINE: Deane, Kane, Brown, Jarvis, Lowry, Carson (K. McLaughlin ‘89 mins), O’Donnell, Glackin, Allen (J. McLaughlin ‘60 mins), Kelly, Shevlin (Bradley ‘51 mins).

Subs Not Used: Gallagher (GK), Mullan, Tosh, Elliot.

CLIFTONVILLE: McNicholas, Ives, Hale (C. Curran ‘65 mins), R. Curran, McDonagh, Addis, Doherty, Gormley (O’Neill ‘78 mins) Turner, Gallagher, Coates.

Subs Not Used: McKenna (GK), McDermott, Harney, Donnelly, Kearns.

Referee:

Jamie Robinson