Last Time Out

COLERAINE and Ballymena United would play out a 1-1 draw the last time the two sides met back in February…

Date:

Saturday, February 26, 2022

Result:

Coleraine 1-1 Ballymena United

Goals – Kane (’28 mins); Loughran (’37 mins)

Report:

COLERAINE and Ballymena United would play out an entertaining 1-1 draw at The Showgrounds as the Bannsiders remain sixth in the Danske Bank Premiership table.

The Bannsiders made four changes from the win against Warrenpoint Town as Adam Mullan, Josh Carson, Matthew Shevlin and James McLaughlin were re-instated to the starting eleven for the visit of the Sky Blues.

In a slow opening, it took until the 20th minute for the first sight of goal as the ball was worked out to Josh Carson on the left-hand side and his cross was blocked by Kym Nelson with the ball landing into the gloves of Sean O’Neill.

After Aaron Jarvis had to be withdrawn through injury on 25 minutes, the Bannsiders would hit the front from the spot just three minutes later. A foul by Michael Place on Carson resulted in Andrew Davey pointing to the spot with Lyndon Kane dispatching from 12 yards despite a strong glove by O’Neill.

Remarkably, Coleraine would have a second penalty kick on 28 minutes as McLaughlin was upended by O’Neill inside the area. However, this time Kane failed to convert as his strike sailed over the crossbar.

That miss would spur the visitors into life and they almost levelled on 35 minutes as a quick attack resulted in Kane’s cut back finding Leroy Millar but the Braidmen’s captain arrowed off target. In a pulsating end to the first 45 minutes, United did respond as Place’s corner kick met the head of Caolan Loughran who guided the ball home despite the best efforts of Stephen O’Donnell on the goal line.

The Bannsiders would suffer a blow to the start of the second-half as Mullan would have to be subbed through injury, with the next effort on goal seeing Patrick Kelly drag a 25-yard strike inches wide of the far post after good build-up by Jamie Glackin.

Minutes later, the Stripes thought they had grabbed the third goal of the contest as a clever cross by Glackin was flicked over the bar by McLaughlin. At the other end, it would be the battle of the Kane’s as Lyndon had to be quick to tackle Kenny who had a clear sight of goal.

The fixture – which was played with a strong wind – would see the Stripes smash the crossbar on 69 minutes as Kelly had the vision to pick out the onrushing Shevlin. The striker took a neat first touch and hit an effort that cannoned off the woodwork with United clearing the resulting danger.

With less than a quarter of an hour remaining, David Jeffrey’s side would create a glorious chance of their own as a trademark cross by Steven McCullough was headed over the bar by a sliding Paul McElroy. Following that, good play by substitute David Parkhouse released Millar on the edge of the box but his effort failed to trouble Deane.

A last furore of action would see Deane save Ryan Waide’s onto the post after being found by Parkhouse, with Coleraine having a goal disallowed for offside as Curtis Allen stabbed home from Ronan Wilson’s cross.

A point apiece for both teams as Coleraine maintained a four gap over Ballymena United in seventh.

Line-ups:

COLERAINE: Deane, Kane, Mullan (Wilson ’51 mins), Brown, Jarvis (Kelly ’25 mins), Lowry, McLaughlin (Allen ’80 mins) Carson, O’Donnell, Glackin, Shevlin (Bradley ’80 mins).

Subs Not Used: Gallagher (GK), Traynor, Mitchell.

BALLYMENA UNITED: O’Neill, Kelly (McGrory ’84 mins), McElroy (Parkhouse ’77 mins), McCullough, Kane (Waide ’84 mins), Henderson (Barr ’77 mins), Loughran, Millar, Graham, Nelson, Place.

Subs Not Used: Gallagher (GK), Chapman, Bramall.

Referee:

Andrew Davey