Last Time Out

COLERAINE and Glenavon would play out a scoreless draw at Mourneview Park back in November…

Date:

Saturday, November 19, 2022

Result:

Glenavon 0-0 Coleraine

Report:

COLERAINE picked up a point at Mourneview Park after surviving a second-half onslaught from the hosts.

The Bannsiders made three changes for the contest as Lee Lynch, Stephen Lowry and Michael McCrudden replaced Lyndon Kane and Matthew Shevlin who were suspended, as well as Jamie Glackin who was absent.

The visitors started the brightest and threatened after just four minutes when Aaron Jarvis misfired from the edge of the area, before a deep cross by McCrudden was steered over the bar by Josh Carson. A few minutes later, a great advantage by Raymond Crangle allowed Lee Lynch to cross for Aaron Jarvis but his acrobatic effort sailed wide.

However, Glenavon – who had won three out of their last five fixtures – should have taken the lead on 16 minutes. A wonderful run and cross by Daniel Wallace saw the ball travel across the goal mouth but Eoin Bradley couldn’t get a vital touch.

The Stripes would survive another huge left-off just three minutes later as Sean Ward expertly cut out a pass to Jack O’Mahony and found Peter Campbell in the process. The winger would drive forward and spread the ball out to Matthew Fitzpatrick who blazed over from ten yards.

Coleraine would see a half chance come and go on 25 minutes as neat football involving Dean Jarvis and Lynch presented the ball to Carson but his tame effort was comfortably gathered. At the other end, Glenavon would hit the Bannsiders on the counter attack with Bradley playing through Campbell but his goal bound strike was blocked by Kieran Farren.

Just before the half-time whistle, Oran Kearney’s men thought they had taken the lead as McCrudden took a neat first touch before rattling the post, with Farren’s rebound forcing Rory Brown into a top save.

Glenavon had several former Coleraine players in their ranks and one of those would go close to breaking the deadlock as the ball was held up by Bradley inside the box. The big striker turned and hit a crisp low effort that forced Deane to turn the ball around the post for a corner.

Gary Hamilton’s side were providing the greater attacking threat and Kieran Farren was required to clear the ball off the line after Matthew Snoddy’s cross took a wicked deflection and headed towards goal. Then, Snoddy would have a chance of his own but his strike lacked conviction and trickled harmlessly wide.

On 67 minutes, Coleraine would have Farren to thank as the defender would clear a second ball off the line. This time the ex-Dergview man was in the right place at the right time to prevent Campbell’s effort from finding the back of the net.

Both teams would make a raft of changes but a case of route one football would almost pay dividends for Glenavon. A long ball forward by Brown was flicked on by Fitzpatrick into the path of Campbell who hit straight down the throat of Deane.

As the game entered the final ten minutes, there would be further frustration for the hosts as a goal bound header from Fitzpatrick would force Dean Jarvis to clear the ball from going in. The relentless attacks wouldn’t stop there as Fitzpatrick laid the ball into the path of Campbell who drilled over after being off balance.

Despite being camped in their own half for the majority of the second-half, Coleraine would carve out a chance on 86 minutes as a delivery into the box by Evan McLaughlin was nodded inches over the bar by McCrudden.

At the death, it wasn’t going to be Glenavon’s day as Fitzpatrick headed wide from an inviting position as the Bannsiders held out for a 0-0 draw.

Line-ups:

GLENAVON: Brown, Glynn, Haughey (Kerr ’80 mins), A. Doyle (Birney ’82 mins), Snoddy (Prendergast ’80 mins), Fitzpatrick (J. Doyle ’90 mins), Campbell, Baird, Wallace, Ward, Bradley.

Subs Not Used: O’Connor, McCloskey, Garrett.

COLERAINE: Deane, D. Jarvis, A. Jarvis, Lowry, McCrudden, Carson (E. McLaughlin ’80 mins), Farren, O’Donnell, Lynch (J. McLaughlin ’70 mins), O’Mahony, McDermott (McKendry ’59 mins).

Subs Not Used: Gallagher (GK), Mullan, Brown.

Referee:

Raymond Crangle

Highlights:

HERE