Last Time Out

A goal in each half would prove to be the difference as the Bannsiders swept to a 2-1 victory against Ballymena United back in April…

Date:

Saturday, April 24, 2021

Result:

Ballymena United 1-2 Coleraine

Goals – Redman (’79 mins); Traynor (’41 mins), Lowry (’47 mins)

Report:

COLERAINE kept up their bid for automatic European qualification with this vital win this afternoon…

Oran Kearney’s outfit remain close on the heels of Glentoran who currently occupy that lucrative second spot.

A second victory at Warden Street this season sends the Bannsiders into the post split fixtures with plenty to play for.

Marty Gallagher was first to be called into action after six minutes, saving from Josh Kelly after Ben Wylie’s set up.

That was as good as it go for the home side in a first half controlled by Coleraine.

Lyndon Kane, match winner on his last visit, just failed to get on the end of Eoin Bradley’s flick on from Aaron Traynor’s cross.

There were few clear openings in a tense affair.

Matthew Shevlin brought out a fine save from Jordan Williamson after 25 minutes after being played in by Stevie Lowry.

With half time approaching, it was beginning to look like the visitors would have nothing to show for their endeavours.

But up stepped left back Traynor to open the scoring four minutes before the break after an exchange of passes with Lowry.

The defender’s perseverance paid off as he fired home after his initial effort was blocked.

Coleraine made a dream start to the second half as they doubled their lead within two minutes.

Bradley held the ball up well before releasing Lowry, who calmly slotted the ball through Williamson’s legs.

David Jeffrey made a triple substitution and it sparked the Sky Blues into life.

Josh Kelly fired wide, while at the other end, Bradley almost put the game beyond reach, but his 64th minute free kick deflected off the woodwork.

Coleraine went close again on 70 minutes when Josh Carson put an inviting cross into the box but Jamie Glackin just couldn’t get on the end of it.

Ross Redman struck the crossbar on 77 minutes for the hosts.

And two minutes later he scored with a fine glancing header from Shay McCartan’s Cross.

Coleraine had to survive an anxious final few minutes but held on to claim the derby day bragging points and three valuable points.

Line-ups:

BALLYMENA UNITED: Williamson, Redman, Addis, McKeown (McGrory ’55 mins), McElroy, McCartan, Hume, Ervin, Kelly, Graham (Millar ’55 mins), Wylie (McCready ’55 mins)

Subs Not Used: Harpur, Knowles, Waide, Balmer.

COLERAINE: Gallagher, Kane, Canning, Doherty, Lowry, Bradley, Carson, O’Donnell, Glackin (McLaughlin ’81 mins), Traynor, Shevlin (Jarvis ’69 mins).

Subs Not Used: Henderson (GK), Mullan, Wilson, Tweed, Allen.

Referee:

Andrew Davey

Highlights:

HERE