Last Time Out

COLERAINE would come out on top in a five goal thriller as Ben Doherty’s strike sealed all three points against Dungannon Swifts back in March…

Date:

Saturday, March 6, 2021

Result:

Dungannon Swifts 2-3 Coleraine

Goals – Patterson (’41 mins), Wilson (’54 mins); Glackin (’18 mins), Doherty (’50 mins & ’76 mins)

Report:

COLERAINE kept up the pressure on league leaders Linfield courtesy of this entertaining victory at Stangmore Park.

Despite twice being pegged back, the Bannsiders finally saw off the plucky challenge of ten man Dungannon.

Ben Doherty struck a stunning winner as he helped himself to his second successive brace on his return from injury.

Coleraine started impressively, bearing all the hallmarks of a team high on confidence. Doherty was the first to try his luck after 11 minutes but his shot deflected over the crossbar.

And it was his corner sixty seconds later that almost produced an opener. Curtis Allen made a great near post run but his flicked header was brilliantly saved by Roy Carroll.

However, the former Northern Ireland international was given no chance as the visitors took the lead on 18 minutes. Allen dispossessed Oisin Smyth and fed Jamie Glackin who arrowed a shot from outside the box into the roof of the net.

Glackin thought he had scored again on the half hour mark after combining with Allen but he was adjudged to have been offside.

Despite posing little threat, the Swifts stunned Coleraine with an equaliser three minutes before half time. Who else but ex Bannsider Rory Patterson nipped in ahead of Lyndon Kane to head home Smyth’s cross.

A controversial penalty on 50 minutes put Coleraine back in front. Carroll clearly punched the ball before following through to connect with Allen but referee Keith Kennedy awarded a spot kick and up stepped the assured Doherty to convert.

Dungannon, watched by newly appointed manager Dean Shiels, hit back in style after 54 minutes. This time Dougie Wilson got in on the act on an afternoon of spectacular strikes by bending a 25 yard free kick beyond Gareth Deane.

Smyth was then sent off after 62 minutes for a lunge on Evan Tweed. And Oran Kearney’s men made the advantage count as they regained the lead with the goal of the game.

Bradley fed Glackin who rolled the ball into the path of Doherty’s and his 76th minute strike from outside the area flew past the helpless Carroll.

There was still time though for a nervous finale and it took a goal line clearance from Stephen Lowry in injury time to deny Michael Carvill and seal a vital victory.

Line-ups:

DUNGANNON SWIFTS: Carroll, Coyle (Carvill ’68 mins), Wilson, Byers, O. Smyth, Campbell, Patton (Teggart ’73 mins), Glenny, McGee, M. Smyth, Patterson (Gallagher ’79 mins).

Subs Not Used: Johnston (GK), Convie, Teelan, Od. Smyth.

COLERAINE: Deane, Kane, Canning, Doherty, Lowry, Carson, Tweed (Shevlin ’68 mins), Parkhill (Bradley ’55 mins), Glackin, Allen (Jarvis ’82 mins), Beverland.

Subs Not Used: Gallagher (GK), Wilson, O’Donnell, Nixon.

Referee:

Keith Kennedy

Highlights:

HERE