Last Time Out

COLERAINE would endure a difficult afternoon on their last visit to The Oval as Glentoran hit three goals without reply…

Date:

Saturday, April 22, 2023

Result:

Glentoran 3-0 Coleraine

Goals – Devlin (‘2 mins), McGinn (’30 mins & ’39 mins)

Report:

A poor first-half showing would be punished as the Bannsiders lost 3-0 against Glentoran at The Oval.

Coleraine were able to handle a start to Stephen Lowry following injury but they would find themselves behind after just two minutes on the clock. A corner kick into the area was met the head of Terry Devlin who made a front post run and his effort went into the back of the net.

After Matthew Shevlin would test the gloves of Aaron McCarey from distance, Glentoran would go close again as Junior burst forward but his attempt went wide of the post.

However, Glentoran would double their lead on 29 minutes as Conor McMenamin would see his shot crash off the post but Niall McGinn was in the right place at the right time to coolly slot home the rebound.

The afternoon went from bad to worse for the visitors on 38 minutes as Kieran Farren had his pocket picked by Devlin and he squared the ball to McGinn who finished accurately for his second goal of the afternoon.

Just before the half-time whistle, the Stripes had Gareth Deane to thank as he firstly denied Hrvoje Plum from close range, before standing tall to deny Junior’s chipped effort.

The second-half wouldn’t see as many clear cut chances as Andy Scott smashed the crossbar after good play involving Conor McKendry.

Minutes later, Oran Kearney’s men would be awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area but McKendry’s effort failed to find the target.

The game would end on a sour note as half-time substitute Adam Mullan went down with a serious knee injury and after lengthy treatment, he would have to be stretchered off the pitch.

Line-ups:

GLENTORAN: McCarey, McCullough, Burns, Marshall (Purkis ’80 mins), Devlin, Murphy, McMenamin (J. Donnelly ’65 mins), Plum (Crowe ’80 mins), Wightman (Smith ’90 mins), McGinn, Junior (R. Donnelly ’65 mins).

Subs Not Used: Webber (GK), Walsh.

COLERAINE: Deane, D. Jarvis, McKendry, Lowry, Farren (Mullan ’46 mins) {McCrudden ’83 mins}, O’Donnell, Lynch, O’Mahony, McDermott, Shevlin, Scott.

Subs Not Used: Gallagher (GK), Kane, Fyfe, Devine, Gaston.

Referee:

Raymond Crangle