Last Time Out

COLERAINE sealed a 4-0 win against Institute back in 2020 as Aaron Canning netted a brace of goals on Foyleside…

Date:

Saturday, February 22, 2020

Result:

Institute 0-4 Coleraine

Goals – Canning (’27 mins & ’45 mins), O’Donnell (’56 mins), Carson (’90 mins)

Report: 

COLERAINE climbed to second in the Danske Bank Premiership table following a convincing 4-0 win against Institute at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

A first half double from Aaron Canning followed by a header from Stephen O’Donnell and a late effort from Josh Carson ensured a convincing victory on Foyleside. A potential banana skin after the heroics of the Bannsiders’ League Cup success, a professional performance from Oran Kearney’s side allowed them to register a win against their North West neighbours for the first time this season.

As the wind howled and the hail stones came down in stair rods, the opening chance of the game fell to the visitors as a great ball over the top from captain Stephen O’Donnell on seven minutes released Stewart Nixon who raced towards goal before squaring the ball to James McLaughlin. With the goal in his sight, the striker pulled the trigger but Rory Brown was equal to the effort in the Institute goal.

Josh Carson, who found himself playing in the centre of midfield, tried his luck early on but his attempt sailed over.

Stewart Nixon, who was making only his second appearance for the Bannisders after joining from Carrick Rangers in the January transfer window, was proving a handful for the ‘Stute defence. It was Nixon who looked to spark Coleraine into life in the first half as a dangerous ball in narrowly evaded a touch from Stephen Lowry following some confident goalkeeping from Brown who plucked the cross off the head of the Limavady man.

The Bannsiders broke the deadlock before the half hour mark as Aaron Canning headed home following a delightful delivery from Jamie Glackin’s free kick. Initially, Ian Parkhill was fouled as he looked to break down the left flank.

Institute looked for their leveller before the break and went close as Dean Curry threatened but his attempt, which was adjudged offside, went wide.

James McLaughlin looked to double Coleraine’s lead before the interval but his snap shot from inside the area was deflected behind for a corner. From the resulting set piece, Aaron Canning produced a spectacular left-footed strike which sailed into the top corner leaving Brown beaten all ends up for his sixth goal of the season.

The Bannsiders continued where they left off after the restart as a great cross from Nixon almost found the head of the advancing McLaughlin.

Moments later, Coleraine’s afternoon got even better on 55 minutes as Stephen O’Donnell headed home to all but secure the win. Initially, the home side failed to clear from a corner allowing Nixon to hook the ball back into the danger zone, where the central defender was on hand to head home against his former club.

With one eye on the Irish Cup quarter-final clash with Larne on Friday night, Coleraine opted for changes after the hour mark as Curtis Allen and Aaron Jarvis entered the fray replacing Ian Parkhill and Jamie Glackin respectively.

Coleraine were hungry for more as Josh Carson went on the attack with 15 minutes remaining. However, his effort failed to trouble Rory Brown.

James McLaughlin and Curtis Allen linked up well moments later as the Bannsiders looked to add a fourth goal for the afternoon but McLaughlin’s first-time drive sailed over the crossbar.

In a game were the home side rarely threatened, Oran Brogan looked to reduce the deficit with an attempt at goal but his strike failed to hit the target.

Right at the death, the Bannsiders added a fourth as Josh Carson stabbed home at the back post after a great cut back from Stewart Nixon who looks to have settled very well with his new employers.

Line-ups:

INSTITUTE: R. Brown, McLaughlin (Carty ’75 mins), Curry, Obhakan, Tourish, Tweed, Burke (Walsh ’57 mins), Brogan, Pomeroy (G. Brown ’64 mins), Doherty, Henry.

Subs Not Used: McCann (GK), Morrow, Crown, De Carne.

COLERAINE: Johns, Kane, Mullan, Canning (McConaghie ’68 mins), Lowry, McLaughlin, Carson, O’Donnell, Parkhill (Allen ’63 mins), Glackin (Jarvis ’64 mins), Nixon.

Subs Not Used: Gallagher (GK), Douglas, McGuckin, Fitzpatrick.

Referee:

Tim Marshall