Last Time Out

JAMES McLaughlin would be introduced from the bench to devastating affect as he netted the winner against Crusaders back in May…

Date:

Saturday, May 15, 2021

Result:

Crusaders 0-1 Coleraine

Goals – McLaughlin (’64 mins)

Report:

COLERAINE pocketed a vital three points as James McLaughlin came off the bench to bag the winner against Crusaders at Seaview.

With one eye on Tuesday night’s Irish Cup semi-final against Larne, the hosts made nine changes to their starting line-up with Coleraine introducing Jamie Glackin at the expense of Aaron Jarvis.

The first chance arrived on 11 minutes as the ball presented itself to Matthew Shevlin inside the box but his effort was gathered by Tuffey. Less than sixty seconds later, the visitors had the ball in the net but Eoin Bradley was flagged for offside.

Crusaders threatened on 19 minutes as David Cushley’s dangerous free-kick was diverted inches over the bar by a Coleraine defender. At the other end, Tuffey would once again come out on top to prevent Shevlin from finding the back of the net.

Just after the half hour mark, Crusaders were gifted possession deep inside the Coleraine half with Jordan Owens arrowing wide, before Cushley went close on two occasions, including a free-kick that had to be tipped over the bar by Martin Gallagher.

The Stripes went agonisingly close to edging ahead as Lyndon Kane burst into the box, and just when it looked like his strike was destined to find the back of the net, it sailed inches wide of the far post. However, the woodwork would come to Coleraine’s rescue on 42 minutes as Cushley’s sweet strike cannoned back off the crossbar.

Coleraine – who lost by a single goal on their last visit to Seaview – spurned two glorious chances before the break as Stephen Lowry lashed over inside the box, before Ben Doherty’s cross was poked wide at close range by Shevlin.

Crusaders made a bright start after the interval and should have been ahead on 48 minutes as the ball found its way into the path of Michael Ruddy but the full-back’s half volley failed to find the target. Moments later, a goal mouth scramble was somehow cleared as Cushley looked certain to pounce.

On the hour mark, Bannsiders boss Oran Kearney brought on Curtis Allen and James McLaughlin in a bid to take the lead and it would be the former who would go close as he headed over from Kane’s superb cross.

However, the breakthrough arrived on 64 minutes as Allen’s delightful cross found the onrushing McLaughlin and the marksman headed home his ninth goal of the season.

The three points were almost wrapped up with less than ten minutes remaining as Traynor burst forward and picked out Allen inside the box but he would be denied by the legs of Tuffey.

In a frantic finale, Crusaders tried their best to secure a share of the spoils as Gallagher palmed away Cushley’s free-kick, with the woodwork being hit for a second time as Thomas Burns’ daisy cutter rifled the post.

Line-ups:

CRUSADERS: Tuffey, Weir, McGonigle, Cushley, Caddell (Patterson ’71 mins), Ruddy, Owens, Brown, Larmour, A Clarke, Bradshaw (T Burns ’46 mins).

Subs Not Used: Shields (GK), Lowry, Kennedy, O’Rourke, R Clarke.

COLERAINE: Gallagher, Kane, Traynor, O’Donnell (Mullan ’21 mins), Canning, Doherty, Lowry, Carson (McLaughlin ’60 mins), Glackin, Shevlin, Bradley (Allen ’60 mins).

Subs Not Used: Jarvis, Tweed, Parkhill, Nixon.

Referee:

Steven Gregg

Highlights:

HERE