Last Time Out

COLERAINE and Glenavon would play out a draw for the second time this season as the two clubs clashed less than two weeks ago…

Date:

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Result:

Glenavon 1-1 Coleraine

Goals – Fitzpatrick (’52 mins); Lowry (’76 mins)

Report:

COLERAINE displayed their never-say-die spirit to fight back and claim a crucial point at Mourneview Park.

Stephen Lowry’s long range deflected strike enabled the Bannsiders to edge closer to Linfield at the top of the table after the champions lost at Ballymena.

These two teams served up a thriller last time out in Lurgan, with eight goals shared back in November, but this encounter failed to reach those heights.

Coleraine created the first opportunity of the game after seven minutes when Curtis Allen played in Matthew Shevlin but he pulled his shot past the post.

At the other end Gareth Deane was forced to make a fine tenth minute stop to deny Peter Campbell.

And it was Campbell who tried his luck from long range from Matthew Fitzpatrick’s lay off six minutes later but the ball dropped over the crossbar.

The Lurgan Blues shaded possession in a first half lacking any real fluency but Coleraine looked dangerous on the break.

Only the outstretched boot of ‘keeper Craig Hyland prevented Josh Carson from breaking the deadlock with his well struck 22nd minute drive well blocked.

Glenavon finished the half strongly, forcing a series of corners.

And it took a great clearance from Jamie Glackin to send the team in at the break on level terms.

Danny Purkis flicked the impressive Campbell’s corner goalwards in injury time but Glackin came to the rescue with a header off the line.

It was the home side who drew first blood just seven minutes into the second half.

Campbell knocked on Conor McCloskeys’ cross and Fitzpatrick made no mistake from close range.

But this Coleraine team refuses to accept defeat and they hit back to make it eight games without defeat against Gary Hamilton’s side.

There appeared little danger when the ball fell to Lowry outside the area but his well struck 76th minute drive flew past Hyland with the aid of a deflection.

Coleraine went all out for a winner and substitute James McLaughlin had a chance when released by Lyndon Kane on 82 minutes but Hyland got a vital touch to steer the ball for a corner.

And another substitute Ian Parkhill almost won it sixty seconds from time when he got his head to Glackin’s corner but Hyland made a terrific save.

Line-ups:

GLENAVON: Hyland, Coates, Purkis (Moorhouse ’87 mins), Campbell, Hall (Harmon ’81 mins), Snoddy, Fitzpatrick, McCloskey (McCaffrey ’74 mins), Singleton, Garrett, Ward.

Subs Not Used: Byrne, Norton, Douglas, Doyle.

COLERAINE: Deane, Kane, O’Donnell, Canning, Carson, Doherty, Lowry, Jarvis (Parkhill ’62 mins), Glackin, Allen (McLaughlin ’73 mins), Shevlin (Bradley ’58 mins).

Subs Not Used: Gallagher (GK), Tweed, Nixon, Beverland.

Referee:

Steven Gregg

Highlights:

HERE