Last Time Out

MATTHEW Shevlin’s goal after just ten minutes on the clock would be enough to claim victory against Newry City back in February…

Date:

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Result:

Coleraine 1-0 Newry City

Goal – Shevlin (’10 mins)

Report:

COLERAINE moved up to fourth spot in the Danske Bank Premiership table after a convincing 1-0 win against Newry City.

The Bannsiders made two changes for the fixture as Lee Lynch and Eamon Fyfe started at the expense of Rodney Brown and Jamie Glackin.

Oran Kearney’s men made their attacking intentions known inside the first minute as Josh Carson’s strike was held by Steven Maguire, with the stopper then thwarting Andy Scott after he was found by Fyfe.

However, the deadlock would be broken on ten minutes as Fyfe sent Scott on his way and the winger burst into the box before crossing for Shevlin to slam home his 26th goal of the campaign.

In a blistering start, Lyndon Kane would try his luck from distance but his strike failed to find the target and then Maguire would once again come to the rescue to thwart Josh Carson from a corner after Aaron Jarvis’ effort was blocked.

Just before the half-time whistle, the hosts almost doubled their lead in bizarre circumstances as Newry defender Andrew Martin believed the ball had gone out of play. The centre-half – thinking his side was going to have a goal kick – blazed the ball towards his own goal which forced Maguire into a save when indeed the ball hadn’t crossed the line.

Similarly, Coleraine started the second-half on the front foot as Fyfe had a well driven shot palmed away by Maguire, before the striker crossed for Shevlin who couldn’t adjust his feet from close range as Newry survived.

The chances would keep on coming as Kane and Lee Lynch both saw attempts clawed away by the inspired Maguire, although Fyfe will feel he should have hit the target on 65 minutes as he headed over from Dean Jarvis’ cross.

Newry – who were content to hit Coleraine on the counter attack – almost executed the perfect game plan on 79 minutes. A ball forward was controlled by Declan Carville and his cross was nodded down by James Teelan into the path of Brian Healy who blazed inches over the crossbar.

The Stripes’ luck in front of goal would be summed up in stoppage time as Lynch crossed for Shevlin but the ex-Linfield ace would smash the crossbar as the Bannsiders ran out worthy winners.

Line-ups:

COLERAINE: Deane, Kane, D. Jarvis, A. Jarvis, Carson, Fyfe, O’Donnell, Lynch, McDermott, Shevlin, Scott.

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

NEWRY CITY: Maguire, King, N. Healy, Lockhart (McGivern ’88 mins), Martin, B. Healy, Scullion (Kwelele ’84 mins), Montgomery, Lusty (Teelan ’67 mins), Sloan, Adeyemo (Carville ’67 mins).

Subs Not Used: Brady (GK), Moan, McCaul.

Referee:

Evan Boyce

Highlights:

HERE