Last Time Out

BRAD Lyons would net a brace as Coleraine came out on top in a six goal thriller at The Showgrounds…

Date:

Saturday, January 14, 2017

Result:

Coleraine 4-2 Portadown

Goals – Lyons (’22 mins & ’32 mins), McCafferty (’60 mins), McCauley (’88 mins); Foley (‘1 min), Byrne (’38 mins)

Report:

Spectators had barely taken their seats when Adam Foley had fired the visitors in front with a sweetly struck left foot volley from the edge of the box after a Portadown corner had been partially cleared.

Moments later the game took an unexpected turn as Coleraine striker Eoin Bradley suffered a serious injury after colliding with a post as he tried to level the scores.

A 20 minute delay ensued as Bradley was treated by medical experts on the pitch before being taken to Causeway Hospital in Coleraine by ambulance. The delay appeared to affect the visitors more than their hosts as their defence opened to allow Brad Lyons the time and space to pick his spot and score a terrific equaliser.

Nine minutes later Lyons was on target again, this time with his head as he directed Neil McCafferty’s corner past Portadown ‘keeper Chris McGaughey.

Portadown, though, belied their lowly league position by squaring the match at 2-2, Alan Byrne, beating Chris Johns after the Coleraine keeper had reacted smartly to deny Foley.

It took a moment of individual brilliance to edge Coleraine in front midway through the second half, Neil McCafferty curling a delightful free-kick into the top corner from fully 25 yards.

Still, Niall Currie’s side continued to battle and they forced the home side back on a number of occasions.

However, the points were secured moments from full-time when Darren McAuley got on the end of an Ian Parkhill cross to head home the all important fourth goal.

The victory, a fourth consecutive win, sees Coleraine stay hot on the heels of Ballymena while Portadown can take plenty of positives as they attempt to claw back the deficit on Carrick Rangers.

Line-ups:

COLERAINE: Johns, Kane, Mullan, Harkin, Douglas, Ogilby, McCauley, Lyons, Parkhill, Bradley (McCafferty ’23 mins), Allan.

Subs Not Used: Doherty (GK), Kee, Twigg, McConaghie.

PORTADOWN: McGaughey, Carson, O’Hara (Gardiner ’45 mins), Lyttle, Byrne, Shannon, McGerrigan, Foley, Haire (Soares’66 mins), Mulvenna (McAllister ’76 mins), Parker.

Subs Not Used: C. Larkin, Hughes.

Referee:

Steven Gregg

Highlights:

HERE

*Many thanks to Hunter McClelland for the research*