Last Time Out

Last Time Out

COLERAINE would score twice in each half to record a 4-2 success when they faced Crusaders last month at The Showgrounds…

Date:

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Result:

Coleraine 4-2 Crusaders

Goals – Doherty (’11 mins), Owens own goal (’30 mins), Bradley (’51 mins), Glackin (’59 mins); McGonigle (‘3 mins), Hegarty (’70 mins)

Report:

COLERAINE swept to a convincing victory over league leaders Crusaders at The Showgrounds.

Boss Oran Kearney made three changes to his starting line-up as Lyndon Kane and Aaron Traynor came into the back four at the expense of Adam Mullan and Stephen O’Donnell, with Jamie Glackin replacing the injured James McLaughlin.

Crusaders handed a start to former Coleraine striker Jamie McGonigle and he would score on his return to the Ballycastle Road after just three minutes. A long ball into the Bannsiders’ box was misread by Gareth McConaghie and Aaron Canning, with McGonigle pouncing at the second attempt after his initial effort was expertly saved by Chris Johns.

The visitors made a strong start to proceedings and threatened a minute later as a cross-field pass found the run of Paul Heatley. The winger cut inside and forced Johns into a smart save. Two minutes later, from a Coleraine corner, the Irish Cup holders went on the break and Heatley’s shot was deflected wide by an alert Traynor. From the resulting corner-kick, Philip Lowry could only head over when well positioned inside the area.

At the other end, Coleraine would threaten on seven minutes as a delightful delivery from Ben Doherty found McConaghie but the defender’s header sailed wide of the post. After Heatley would once again have an effort on goal, the Bannsiders would draw level against the run of play. A long kick forward by Johns caused confusion in the Crusaders penalty area and Doherty was on hand to guide home his fourth goal of the season on 11 minutes.

Stephen Baxter’s side thought they had taken the lead for a second time on 26 minutes as a crisp through ball by Jordan Forsythe released the run of Heatley, but his lobbed effort sailed inches over the crossbar. A minute later, McGonigle would cross the ball into the path of Owens and his flick-on fed Heatley but his diving header was palmed away by Johns.

In an entertaining first-half, it would be Coleraine who would force Sean O’Neill into action as Eoin Bradley’s flick on released the run of Doherty. The ex-Derry City burst inside the area and his daisy cutter was saved by the legs of the Crusaders shot stopper.

On the half hour mark, Coleraine would grab a second as Jamie Glackin’s free-kick found Stephen Lowry at the back post. The midfielder hit a goal bound effort that was diverted into his own net by Crusaders striker Jordan Owens.

Coleraine would make a bright start to the second-half and almost stretched their lead on 48 minutes as a cross into the box by Josh Carson was met by Doherty but he failed to find the target. However, it wouldn’t take long for Coleraine to double their advantage as Bradley curled a delightful free-kick into the bottom corner on 51 minutes.

It wouldn’t take long for the Coleraine supporters to be celebrating for a fourth time as Carson had a goal bound effort blocked by the Crusaders defence. The ball would land back at the feet of Carson who squared the ball to Glackin who powered home his first goal of the season against his former club on 59 minutes.

The North Belfast side needed a quick response and almost found it on 61 minutes as Owens’ header forced Johns into a save, before the striker would go close moments later as his looping header went inches wide of the far post.

However, Crusaders would pull a goal back on 70 minutes as a long throw-in caused a melee in the box and the ball landed at the feet of Chris Hegarty who found the bottom corner. With the Bannsiders playing into a strong wind, Crusaders were piling on the pressure and they had a goal disallowed on 81 minutes as Lyndon Kane cleared the ball off the line with the rebound going into the net via a hand.

Coleraine almost made sure of the three points on 85 minutes as a throw-in found the unplayable Bradley inside the area and he turned his marker but failed to find the target. At the death, Crusaders would threaten as Declan Caddell’s powerful effort was blocked by Gareth McConaghie.

A deserved victory for Coleraine who cut Crusaders’ lead at the top of the table to three points.

Line-ups:

COLERAINE: Johns, Kane, Canning, Jarvis, Doherty, Lowry, Bradley, Carson, McConaghie, Glackin (Maciulaitis ’84 mins), Traynor (Parkhill ’64 mins).

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

CRUSADERS: O’Neill, Burns, Hegarty, Lowry, Ward, McGonigle (Caddell ’62 mins), Forsythe, Ruddy (Cushley ’62 mins), Owens, Heatley, Clarke (McElroy ’65 mins).

Subs Not Used: Doherty (GK), Beverland, Hale, Thompson.

Referee:

Andrew Davey

Highlights:

HERE