Last Time Out

CIARAN O’Hara marked his first Coleraine start in fine style as he netted in a 3-2 win against Loughgall earlier this month…

Date:

Saturday, December 9, 2023

Result:

Coleraine 3-2 Loughgall

Goals – O’Hara (’14 mins), Lynch (’40 mins), McKendry (’61 mins); Kelly (’23 mins), Magee (’90+7 mins)

Report:

COLERAINE would come away with all three points in a hard fought 3-2 victory against Loughgall at The Showgrounds.

Oran Kearney made only one to the starting eleven from Tuesday’s defeat against Glenavon which saw teenager Ciaran O’Hara receive his doubt at the expense of Jake Wallace who was named as one of the options off the bench.

The Bannsiders had their sight of goal with just two minutes on the clock as Conor McKendry tried his luck from distance but the attempt would sail harmlessly over the crossbar.

With 12 minutes played, Jamie Glackin broke the Loughall defensive line with a through ball which found Aaron Jarvis in the box as he ran towards in on goal, he took a touch and forced Daniel Devine into a save at his near post.

Two minutes later, the Bannsiders opened the scoring through Ciaran O’Hara who headed in Glackin’s corner-kick to cap off a memorable maiden start for the striker.

With 21 minutes played, Lee Lynch received the ball on the right side of the box, the midfielder squared the ball across for the on-rushing O’Hara who could only poke wide when off balance.

Two minutes later, Loughgall found an equaliser through a superb long-range effort from 25 yards out by Tiarnan Kelly. The ball went by Gareth Deane who was able to get a hand to the effort but it went into the back of the net.

Soon after, Lyndon Kane was able to seize upon possession inside the Loughgall half and drove forward. The Coleraine native cut the ball back for McKendry who saw a low effort from six yards fizz by the post.

However, the last action of the half saw the Bannsiders take the lead again this time through Lynch. After Loughgall were sloppy in possession which saw Kane regain possession, he dribbled forward and found McKendry on the right wing. The wide man laid the ball back to Lynch who opened his body up and hit the ball into the bottom left corner.

After a slow start to the second-half, Coleraine would have a chance on 58 minutes as Declan Devine made a fingertip save to push away Dean Jarvis’ strike from 20 yards.

Just past the hour mark, the Bannsiders made the score line 3-1 through McKendry as Dean Jarvis ran on to a through ball played by Lynch on the left wing. A first time cross was on the money for McKendry who calmly dispatched the ball into the net for his 11^th goal of the season.

With 72 minutes on the clock, Deane was called into action as he came off his line to deny Nathaniel Ferris who was played through on goal. However, not long after, the hosts would be reduced to ten men as McDaid was given a straight red card for a robust tackle on Ferris.

The last kick of the game saw Loughgall get another goal back as the ball wasn’t dealt with on the edge of the Bannsiders’ box. This allowed Ferris to control the ball and tee-up Benji Magee who struck beyond Deane.

A return to winning ways for Coleraine for the first time in seven matches as the Bannsiders host Dungannon Swifts next weekend.

Line-ups:

COLERAINE: Deane, Kane, D. Jarvis, Kelly (Devine ‘66 mins), A. Jarvis, McKendry (Wallace ‘71 mins), McDaid, Farren, Lynch, Glackin (McCrudden ‘86 mins), O’Hara (O’Mahony ‘86 mins).

Subs Not Used: Gallagher (GK), McLaughlin, Gaston.

LOUGHGALL: Devine, Rea (Patton ‘83 mins), Murdock, Kelly, Andrade, Teggart (Brogan ‘83 mins), Norton, Gibson (Hoey ‘68 mins), Magee, Boyd (Ferris ‘68 mins), Loughran (Duke ‘83 mins).

Subs Not Used: Turker (GK).

Referee:

Christopher Morrison

Highlights:

HERE