Last Time Out

COLERAINE and Larne would draw a blank as defences were on top at The Showgrounds back in September…

Date:

Satutday, September 28, 2019

Result:

Coleraine 0-0 Larne

Report:

COLERAINE’S unbeaten start to the season continues after Saturday’s stalemate at home to Larne…

It was a very open start at The Showgrounds and the visitors probably should have grabbed the lead on 12 minutes as Martin Donnelly was denied when well placed inside the area. A ball over the top from Fuad Sule caught the Coleraine defence cold, opening the space for Donnelly who was firstly denied by Chris Johns and then a great block from Aaron Canning, who recovered well, prevented the visitors gaining the lead.

Larne enjoyed large spells of possession but it was Coleraine who threatened on 20 minutes as Eoin Bradley slipped Lyndon Kane through on goal but his shot was turned behind for a corner by Conor Devlin.

Shortly after, a well worked move presented Ben Doherty with an opening as Bradley flicked the bll onto Glackin who found the midfielder inside the area. Calm and composed, Doherty rolled his man before striking towards goal but Devlin was equal to the shot.

It was that man Doherty who almost carved out the opening goal for the home side on the half hour mark. The left midfielder capitalised on a defensive lapse from Larne’s Albert Watson but the defender recovered to block Doherty’s left-footed strike at goal.

Larne responed with a chance of their own before the break as Johnny McMurray forced Chris Johns into action before Jeff Hughes climbed to head Mark Randall’s cross narrowly over the crossbar.

In first half stoppage time, Oran Kearney’s men appealed for a penalty but referee Raymond Crangle said no. Initially, Jamie Glackin’s cross fell to Josh Carson who thundered an effort towards goal. The ball looked to have ricocheted off the arm off Larne defender Graham Kelly en-route to goal.

At half-time, the scores were level in what proved to be a rather dull affair at The Showgrounds. Both sides cancelled each other out in possession with Martin Donnelly’s chance for the visitors the only meaningful opportunity.

After the restart, Lyndon Kane was presented with an opportunity from the edge of the area after he raced onto tephen Lowry’s knock down but the full-back’s attempt sailed wide.

Winger Lee Lynch made way for Conor McKendry midway through the second-half as Tiernan Lynch’s side looked for an outlet. It almost paid off as McKendry had an immediate impact as he struck an effort narrowly over the crossbar.

The Bannsiders were left frustrated moments later as Lyndon Kane teed up Eoin Bradley but the striker failed to find the finish from six yards out as he was expertly denied by Conor Devlin.

In what proved to be a rather stale second half, the visitors should have stolen all three points in injury time. Ben Tilney raced up the pitch before carving out a shot which was well blocked. The ball broke to Conor McKendry who fired towards goal but his effort was blocked and fell nicely to Shane McEleney who fired over with acres of space.

Aaron Jarvis cracked the crossbar with a cross-come-shot shortly after but after the seven minutes of injury time petered to a close; both sides had to settle with a point.

Coleraine remain second in the Danske Bank Premiership, five points adrift of Crusaders.

Line-ups:

COLERAINE: Johns, Kane, Mullan (Douglas ‘76 mins), Canning, Jarvis, Doherty, Lowry, Bradley (Maciulaitis ‘72 mins), Carson, Glackin (Parkhill ‘61 mins), Traynor.

Subs not used: Gallagher (GK), McConaghie, Gawne, McGuckin.

LARNE: Devlin, Flowers, Kelly, Watson, Sule, Randall (McEleney ‘87 mins), Donnelly (Tilney ‘74 mins), Lynch (McKeEndry ‘67 mins), Cosgrove, Hughes, McMurray.

Subs Not Used: Pauley (GK), Graham, Andrade, Gilmour.

Referee:

Raymond Crangle

Highlights:

HERE