Last Time Out

COLERAINE and Glentoran played out a 0-0 draw as the Sky Sports cameras rolled into The Showgrounds back in November…

Date:

Monday, November 13, 2023

Result:

Coleraine 0-0 Glentoran

Report:

COLERAINE and Glentoran played out a goalless draw as both teams missed chances in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

Oran Kearney made one change to his starting line-up as Matthew Shevlin returned from a three-match ban to replace the suspended Conor McKendry who missed out after accumulating five yellow cards.

The Glens started better and threatened with just three minutes on the clock. A cross from Jonathan Russell on the left-hand side was perfect for Jay Donnelly who hit a half volley inches by the near post.

On a perfect evening for football, it took until the 17th minute for the Bannsiders to have their first sight of goal as Lee Lynch and Dean Jarvis combined to find Josh Carson. The midfielder drove forward with the ball but his attempt from an acute angle just outside the box was off target.

Three minutes later, Jay Donnelly would try his luck again as Glentoran won the midfield battle through Cammy Palmer. The summer signing from Linfield picked out the aforementioned Donnelly who hit a low crisp effort into the gloves of Gareth Deane.

Warren Feeney was left with his head in his hands on 24 minutes as his side should have taken the lead. A drop cross into the area by Aaron Wightman was headed back across goal by Ruaidhri Donnelly. This presented a glorious opportunity for Junior to convert but he headed wide from an inviting position.

Soon after, the east Belfast side would go close yet again. This time a quick corner kick routine allowed Palmer to cross the ball where an unmarked Russell headed wide with the goal at his mercy.

The last action of the half saw Deane called into action as he palmed away Junior’s low attempt after good initial play by the industrious Palmer.

Both teams would struggle to retain possession in the early parts of the second-half and it would take until the 63rd minute for the game to come to life. A powerful run into the box by Jay Donnelly allowed the striker to test the reflexes of Deane who palmed the ball away.

On 73 minutes, the Stripes lost possession when pushing forward and this allowed Glentoran to launch a counter attack. The ball was fired out to the speedy Daire O’Connor and his daisycutter was pushed out for a corner by Deane.

With Coleraine shooting into the Railway End after the break the home support was craving a big opportunity and it happened on two occasions through Shevlin. The first saw the striker firing straight at Aaron McCarey after a good pass by Jamie Glackin on 75 minutes, before he misfired when through on goal after good build-up play by Jack O’Mahony and David McDaid soon after.

Honours even at The Showgrounds as the Bannsiders missed the chance to leapfrog Glentoran in the table.

Line-ups:

COLERAINE: Deane, Kane (O‘Mahony ’83 mins), D. Jarvis, Kelly, Shevlin, Carson, Farren, Lynch, Glackin, Wallace, Scott (McDaid ’62 mins)

Subs Not Used: Gallagher (GK), A. Jarvis, Mitchell, McCrudden, Devine.

GLENTORAN: McCarey, J. Donnelly, R. Donnelly (McCartan ’71 mins), O’Connor, Singleton, Sule, Palmer (Murray ’79 mins), McClean, Russell, Wightman, Junior (Fisher ’86 mins).

Subs Not Used: Webber (GK), Murphy, Kelly, McGinn.

Referee:

Ben McMaster

Highlights:

HERE