Last Time Out

TWO goals in as many minutes helped Coleraine record a 2-0 success against Dungannon Swifts back in February…

Date:

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Result:

Coleraine 2-0 Dungannon Swifts

Goals – Allen (’40 mins), Carson (’41 mins)

Report: 

COLERAINE made it three successive wins in all competitions as two first-half goals did the damage against Dungannon Swifts at The Showgrounds.

The Bannsiders would threaten first on ten minutes as Curtis Allen – who was handed a start at the expense of Matthew Shevlin – picked up the ball inside the box but his driven effort was kept out by Declan Dunne. At the other end, Rhyss Campbell’s shot from distance would test the gloves of Gareth Deane.

Just before the hour mark, the hosts would threaten again as a strong run by Aaron Jarvis saw the midfielder fire straight into the path of Dunne. Just four minutes later, the same player would be involved as the Bannsiders were awarded a penalty after he was brought down by Cathal McGinty. Unfortunately, Lyndon Kane would be unsuccessful from 12 yards as Dunne made a smart stop to deny the full-back from making it four goals in his last five games.

However, Coleraine fans didn’t have to wait long to celebrate as they edged in front on 40 minutes. A defence splitting pass by Jamie Glackin found Allen through on goal and the marksman made no mistake with a clinical finish.

Remarkably, just 60 seconds later, Kearney’s men would double their advantage as a poor pass by McGinty was seized upon by Josh Carson who drove through on goal before burying a strike into the back of the net for his second goal in as many games.

The Swifts – who had won six out of their last seven games in all competitions – missed two great chances to half the deficit after the interval as Deane leaped to keep out Campbell’s effort, before Kane was alert to prevent Ryan Mayse’s rebound on the goal line.

After Mayse would have a long distance effort on target, Coleraine almost added a match defining third in spectacular circumstances as a cross from Jarvis inadvertently turned into a shot that rattled the crossbar. With a quarter of an hour remaining, Deane ensured that he would keep a clean sheet as he made a fine save to tip over James Knowles’ long range free-kick.

On 86 minutes, two substitutes nearly combined to make it 3-0 as a wonderful free-kick delivery by Conor McKendry found Matthew Shevlin inside the box but the striker was unable to correct his footing as the Swifts survived.

At the death, another chance would arrive at the feet of Shevlin after Glackin’s strike was parried by Dunne but the ex-Linfield man failed to hit the back of the net as Coleraine ran out worthy winners.

Line-ups:

COLERAINE: Deane, Kane, Mullan (O’Donnell ‘67 mins), Brown, Jarvis, Lowry, Carson, Glackin, Traynor, Allen (McKendry ‘76 mins), Mitchell (Shevlin ‘63 mins).

Subs Not Used: Gallagher (GK), McLaughlin, Wilson, Kelly.

DUNGANNON SWIFTS: Dunne, Glynn, Knowles, Mayse (S. McGinty ‘67 mins) Campbell, Gallagher (McCready ‘59 mins), C. McGinty, Devlin (McDonald ‘67 mins), Glenny, McGee (Walsh ‘82 mins) Convie (Coyle ‘82 mins).

Subs Not Used: Nelson (GK), McKendry.

Referee:

Christopher Morrison