Last Time Out

Last Time Out

COLERAINE would fall to a defeat at Seaview in February as a goal either side of half time did the damage…

Date:

Saturday, February 18, 2023

Result:

Crusaders 2-0 Coleraine

Goals – Heatley (’36 mins), Lecky (’86 mins)

Report:

COLERAINE would be left to rue individual errors as they were beaten 2-0 by Crusaders at Seaview.

The Bannsiders would make one change to their starting line-up for the game as Jamie Glackin returned from suspension to replace Lee Lynch.

Crusaders would win a succession of early corners and threatened through one of those as Josh Robinson would meet the set piece at the front post but his goal bound effort was deflected wide.

Just after the half hour mark, the hosts would go close again as a through ball allowed Dean Ebbe through on goal, and just when the striker was about to pull the trigger, he would be thwarted by an expertly timed tackle by Stephen O’Donnell.

However, the Crues would make the breakthrough on 31 minutes as a long ball forward in the wind by Ross Clarke was misjudged by O’Donnell and this allowed Paul Heatley to burst through on goal and finish with aplomb.

On the stroke of half-time, there would almost be a carbon copy as Conor McDermott lost flight of the ball and Heatley was once again presented with a glorious opportunity but Gareth Deane was quick off his line to deny the winger.

In truth, Coleraine struggled to create any chances and Stephen Baxter’s men carved out the next opening on 58 minutes as Philip Lowry had a shot blocked, with Rory McKeown’s rebound fizzing over the crossbar from 12 yards.

On 66 minutes, Crusaders would threaten from yet again from a set piece as Ebbe and Adam Lecky combined to find Clarke but the winger failed to get a meaningful touch on the ball as it sailed over the bar.

Kearney decided to bring on Jack O’Mahony, Lee Lynch and Michael McCrudden in a bid to get back into the contest and they would have their first sight of goal on 74 minutes. A neat piece of play would see O’Mahony’s long range effort go inches over the crossbar.

However, the three points were secured by Crusaders on 86 minutes as Lowry robbed O’Mahony off the ball deep inside his own half and squared for Lecky who coolly dispatched by Gareth Deane.

Line-ups:

CRUSADERS: Tuffey, Burns, Robinson, Weir (Caddell ’70 mins), Lowry, Lecky, Ebbe (Thompson ’83 mins), Larmour, Heatley, McKeown, Clarke.

Subs Not Used: Murphy (GK), O’Rourke, Stewart, Boyd, Maguire.

COLERAINE: Deane, Kane, D. Jarvis, A. Jarvis (O’Mahony ’59 mins), Carson, Fyfe (Lynch ’59 mins), O’Donnell, Glackin, McDermott, Shevlin, Scott (McCrudden ’70 mins).

Subs Not Used: Doherty (GK), Mullan, Carlin, McLaughlin.

Referee:

Lee Tavinder

Highlights:

HERE