Last Time Out

PATRICK Kelly would be the star of the show as his second-half performance helped Coleraine beat Glentoran back in April…

Date:

Saturday, April 23, 2022

Result:

Coleraine 3-2 Glentoran

Goals – Shevlin (’47 mins & ’74 mins), Jarvis (’59 mins); O’Connor (’52 mins), R. Donnelly (’90+2 mins)

Report: 

COLERAINE picked up a morale boosting win after a 3-2 success against Glentoran at a sun-drenched Showgrounds.

The Bannsiders would have to make a late change before kick-off as injury ruled out Gareth Deane, meaning Marty Gallagher deputised between the sticks. The custodian was nearly called into action on five minutes as Rodney Brown had to hook the ball over the bar from Shay McCartan’s dangerous cross.

Chances would be at a premium in the first-half and Glentoran would spurn a big opportunity on 19 minutes as the ball was sent through to Conor McMenamin. The winger – who netted a late winner when the sides last met in January – would fire wide from inside the box with the goal at his mercy.

On 36 minutes, the two McLaughlin’s would combine for the next sight of goal as Kirk teed up James outside the box. The striker would let fly from distance but his powered effort failed to trouble Aaron McCarey. Soon after, the ball would be released to Josh Carson 25 yards from goal but his turn and drive was off target.

The second-half started with Matthew Shevlin being utilised from the bench and he would be the man to fire the Bannsiders in front on 47 minutes. A strong run from Patrick Kelly would be ended by a foul from Caolan Marron as Shevlin comfortably dispatched from the spot.

However, that lead would only last six minutes as the visitors drew level. A header forward by Jay Donnelly wasn’t cleared by the Coleraine defence and this allowed Michael O’Connor to arrow a finish into the bottom corner. Both teams would then go close to taking the lead as Stephen Lowry headed over from Aaron Traynor’s cross, before Bobby Burns would see his shot deflected wide after being picked out by Marcus Kane.

On the hour mark, Coleraine would go 2-1 ahead as the ball was recycled by Kelly into the advancing run of Aaron Jarvis. The midfielder would hit a crisp, low effort that sailed into the bottom corner despite the best efforts of McCarey to keep the ball out.

Things would get even better on 74 minutes with the influential Kelly involved as the Stripes grabbed a decisive third. The teenage star would find James McLaughlin with an exquisite pass with the outside of his boot and the striker simply squared the ball for Shevlin to tap home from close range.

After Shevlin would be denied a hat-trick by legs of McCarey, the visitors would half the deficit in stoppage time as substitute Ruaidhri Donnelly rippled the back of the net from 10 yards but Coleraine held firm for a deserved victory.

A trip to title challengers Linfield ends the regulation season ahead of the European play-off fixtures.

Line-ups:

COLERAINE: Gallagher, Kane, Brown, Jarvis, Lowry, J. McLaughlin (Bradley ‘75 mins), Carson, O’Donnell, Traynor, Kelly (Elliot ‘90 mins), K. McLaughlin (Shevlin ‘46 mins).

Subs Not Used: Mullan, Allen, Tosh.

GLENTORAN: McCarey, Burns, McCartan (Cushnie ‘52 mins), Marshall, J. Donnelly, McClean, Clucas (Kane ‘52 mins), O’Connor (R. Donnelly ‘67 mins), Marron, McMenamin, Powers (Plum ‘67 mins).

Subs Not Used: Glendinning (GK), Crowe, Cole.

Referee:

Andrew Davey