Last Time Out

MATTHEW Shevlin would net a late equaliser as the Bannsiders played out a 2-2 draw against Glentoran in February…

Date:

Saturday, February 11, 2023

Result:

Coleraine 2-2 Glentoran

Goals – D. Jarvis (’22 mins), Shevlin (’89 mins); Aaron Jarvis OG (’43 mins), McMenamin (’82 mins)

Report:

MATTHEW Shevlin would be the late hero as his 89th minute strike earned Coleraine a 2-2 draw against Glentoran at The Showgrounds.

The first big chance of the game came the Bannsiders way in the 8th minute. After a promising run forward by Andrew Scott the wide man then released Matthew Shevlin through on goal. However, the forward’s effort was saved by Glentoran goalkeeper Aaron McCarey making a smart stop at his near post.

Coleraine were awarded a penalty in the 20th minute after Luke McCullough fouled Scott inside the box. However, the spot kick was blazed over the bar by the inform Matthew Shevlin, denying the forward a good opportunity to score in his fifth consecutive league game.

The deadlock was broken however just a few minutes later. After some good work down the right hand side by Josh Carson, the midfielder put an inviting ball into the box with Dean Jarvis on hand at the back post to convert a well finished half volley to give the Bannsiders the lead in the 22nd minute.

Coleraine were forced into an early change in the 27th minute with Rodney Brown involved in a heavy clash on the halfway line. The defender was unable to continue with midfielder Lee Lynch being his replacement.

Glentoran’s first big chance of the game came in the 43rd minute with an equalising goal being the result of it. Bobby Burns whipped in a dangerous freekick from the right hand side with Aaron Jarvis getting a headed touch on the ball leaving goalkeeper Gareth Deane with no chance, meaning the teams went into the interval level.

The first big chance in the second half fell the visitors’ way with Burns going close in the 51st minute. After a long ball forward the ball fell kindly for the midfielder with his half volleyed attempt from the edge of the area going just wide.

Coleraine almost found a way through in the 62nd minute after Aaron Jarvis’ accurate lofted pass found Shevlin inside the Glentoran box. Just before the forward could pull the trigger, centre half Aidan Wilson anticipated the situation making an excellent sliding tackle to prevent the top goalscorer from adding to his tally.

Coleraine created a brilliant opportunity in the 79th minute. Following an aerial pass forward the Bannsiders found themselves with a two-on-two attack. Glackin took McCullough and Wilson out of the game with a fantastic chipped pass into Shevlin, however, the forward’s left footed effort just inside the box was well saved by McCarey.

The visitors took the lead in the 82nd minute after substitute Conor McMenamin scored his 10th league goal of the season following a brilliant strike. The midfielder cut in from the right hand side firing an unstoppable left footed effort into the top corner leaving goalkeeper Deane with no chance.

The Bannsiders levelled the scoring in the 89th minute with Shevlin scoring his 25th goal of the campaign. Glackin’s outswinging corner was nodded down by Eamon Fyfe into Shevlin’s path with the forward finishing well inside the six-yard box to earn the Bannsiders a hard earned point.

Line-ups:

COLERAINE: Deane, Kane, D. Jarvis, Brown (Lynch ’27 mins), A. Jarvis (Fyfe ’85 mins), Carson, O’Donnell, Glackin, McDermott, Shevlin, Scott.

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

GLENTORAN: McCarey, Kane (Singleton ’70 mins), McCullough, Wilson, Burns (Plum ’78 mins), McCartan (R. Donnelly ’78 mins), Marshall, J. Donnelly, Devlin, McGinn, Uzokwe (McMenamin ’57 mins).

Subs Not Used: Webber (GK), Crowe, Wightman.

Referee:

Christopher Morrison

Highlights:

HERE