Last Time Out

COLERAINE would deliver a belated Christmas present as first-half goals from Josh Carson and Jamie Glackin sealed a Boxing Day win against Ballymena United…

Date:

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Result:

Coleraine 2-0 Ballymena United

Goals – Carson (’10 mins), Glackin (‘17 mins)

Report:

COLERAINE climb to third in the Danske Bank Premiership following their Boxing Day derby win over Ballymena United at The Showgrounds…

Goals from Josh Carson and Jamie Glackin secured the win for Oran Kearney’s side in what was a feisty affair which witnessed the Sky Blues being reduced to ten men in the second half after goalkeeper Jordan Williamson was dismissed.

After a nervy start at The Showgrounds, midfielder Josh Carson fired the Bannsiders in front with a sweet left-footed strike from the edge of the penalty area on eight minutes.

The Bannsiders extended their lead on the quarter-hour mark via Jamie Glackin who finished with aplomb with a neat strike into the top corner. Initially, James McLaughlin played Eoin Bradley through on goal but his effort was saved before Glackin fired in the second attempt.

Ballymena looked to have pulled a goal back on 24 minutes via Joshua Kelly. The midfielder ghosted into the near post unmarked to get on the end of James Knowles’ cross but the effort was denied by a fantastic save from Chris Johns.

Tony Kane fizzed an effort over the crossbar for David Jeffrey’s side moments later as he struck from the edge of the box having been teed up by Leroy Millar who returned for United after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a foot injury.

Coleraine had the ball in the net for a third on the half hour mark as Gareth McConaghie bundled home Ben Doherty’s in swinging free-kick but the effort was ruled out for a foul on Sky Blues’ goalkeeper Jordan Williamson.

Stephen Lowry, who returned to Oran Kearney’s starting eleven after a rib injury, almost put the game to bed before half-time. The ball fell to the midfielder on the edge of the area but his half volley whistled narrowly past the upright and into the back of the Railway End.

United almost clawed a goal back on 42 minutes as Tony Kane let fly from a free-kick from 30 yards but Johns was equal to the curling attempt that was heading towards the top corner.

Coleraine appealed for a penalty immediately after the restart as Jamie Glackin went down under challenge from Tony Kane. Referee Jamie Robinson waved away the protest, booking Glackin for simulation in the process much to the dismay of the home supporters.

Ballymena had a succession of corners as they searched for a way back in to the game but to no avail before Ben Doherty tried his luck on 62 minutes but he was unable to extend Coleraine’s lead.

Moments later, Ballymena were reduced to ten men as goalkeeper Jordan Williamson was dismissed for handling the ball outside the penalty area. Initially, Eoin Bradley raced through on goal before pulling the trigger which Williamson was adjudged to have handled outside of the 18-yard box.

James Knowles made way for the Sky Blues as Declan Carville went into goal and was immediately called into action to deny James McLaughlin on 70 minutes.

With minutes remaining, Josh Carson looked to bag his second and Coleraine’s third of the afternoon as he picked the ball up out wide before driving towards goal and carving out a chance which Carville saved with ease.

At the final whistle, the Bannsiders enjoyed the Boxing Day Derby bragging rights having clinched the win and a clean sheet against their bitter rivals.

Line-ups:

COLERAINE: Johns, Kane, Canning, Doherty, Lowry, McLaughlin (Gawne ‘80 mins), Bradley (McGuckin ‘90 mins), Carson, McConaghie, Glackin, Traynor.

Subs Not Used: Gallagher (GK), Douglas, O’Donnell, Parkhill, Maciulaitis.

BALLYMENA UNITED: Williamson, T. Kane, Knowles (Carville ‘65 mins), McCullough, Burns, McGrory, Addis, Ervin, Lecky, Millar (K. Kane ‘72 mins), Kelly.

Subs not used: Mayse, Whiteside, McGinty, Glendinning, Lavery.

Referee:

Jamie Robinson

Highlights:

HERE