Last Time Out

COLERAINE clinched a 3-1 win against Ballymena United back in March to earn the derby day bragging rights…

Date:

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Result:

Coleraine 3-1 Ballymena United

Goals – Glackin (’30 mins), McKendry (’41 mins), Carson (’54 mins); Kelly (’34 mins)

Report:

COLERAINE warmed up for this weekend’s BetMcLean Cup final in fine style as they registered a 3-1 win against Ballymena United.

The Bannsiders were able to call upon the services of Conor McKendry from injury and he would play a part in the first chance of the game as he found Matthew Shevlin inside the box but the striker was denied by Jordan Williamson. Moments later, the shot stopper would be called into action yet again to palm away McKendry’s well driven strike.

Just after Williamson would deny McKendry yet again, the hosts would take the lead on 31 minutes as Jamie Glackin picked up the ball inside the box and showed neat footwork before nestling a shot into the bottom corner.

However, the lead would be quickly distinguished as the visitors equalised just three minutes later. A strong run forward by Robbie McVarnock allowed the ball to reach the path of Josh Kelly and the midfielder arrowed a strike beyond the reach of Gareth Deane.

A ten minute spell would see a third goal of the evening just before half-time as Glackin was yet again involved. The midfielder would pick out McKendry inside the box and the ex-Larne man would do the rest by cheekily lobbing the ball over the advancing Williamson.

The Sky Blues would have the first chance of the second-half as Kenny Kane would link-up with strike partner David McDaid. The ex-Coleraine man sent a strike towards goal that was saved by Deane.

On 54 minutes, Coleraine would stretch their lead with Glackin yet again influential. A passage of play involving Dean Jarvis and Shevlin allowed Glackin to cross the ball into the front post where Josh Carson was in the right place at the right time to find the back of the net.

Oran Kearney’s side would spurn a glorious chance to extend their advantage even further as they won the ball high up the pitch which led to a three-on-one attack. A perfectly timed pass allowed Lyndon Kane through on goal but he was denied by the body of Williamson.

The Sky Blues would need an instant impact and they almost halved the deficit on 69 minutes as Stephen O’Donnell hit his own post from a cross, with the rebound by Jordan Gibson forcing Conor McDermott to head the ball off the line. Minutes later, Ryan Waide was sent through on goal but the substitute was denied by Deane and the follow-up failed to find the target.

A raft of substitutions allowed Coleraine to kill the game and they would go extremely close to making it 4-1 as Andy Scott was sent through on goal but a maiden strike for his new club alluded him as he could only hit the crossbar.

Line-ups:

COLERAINE: Deane, Kane, D. Jarvis, McKendry (O’Mahony ’57 mins), Carson (A. Jarvis ’78 mins), Farren, O’Donnell, Lynch (McCrudden ’78 mins), Glackin (Scott ’57 mins), McDermott, Shevlin (Fyfe ’82 mins).

Subs Not Used: Gallagher (GK), Mullan.

BALLYMENA UNITED: Williamson, Nelson (Gibson ’63 mins), Whiteside, McDaid, Kelly (Place ’78 mins), McCullough, Kane, Henderson (Waide ’46 mins), McVarnock, Graham (McGrory ’78 mins), Farquhar.

Subs Not Used: Redman, Tipton, Clarke.

Referee:

Andrew Davey

Highlights:

HERE