Matchday Guide: Ballymena United

COLERAINE go in search of a quarter-final spot in the BetMcLean Cup as the Bannsiders are the visitors to Ballymena United this evening (KO 7:45pm)…

BetMcLean Cup Second Round

Overview:

The Bannsiders come into tonight’s game in buoyant mood after last weekend’s 2-0 victory away to Crusaders. A second-half brace from Conor McKendry would prove to be the difference as Oran Kearney’s men remain sixth in the Premiership standings. The Stripes will still be without Matthew Shevlin who completes the final match of his three-game ban. Coleraine have reached the last three finals of the BetMcLean Cup and beat Bangor after extra-time in the first round of the competition last month.

Ballymena United will be licking their wounds after a 5-2 defeat against Loughgall on Saturday. Despite taking the lead at Lakeview Park through Ryan Waide, the in-form Villagers would complete a terrific comeback to pick up all three points. Jim Ervin’s side are currently 10th in the Sports Direct Premiership table and beat Lisburn Distillery in the previous round via goals from Fintan O’Boyle, Alexander Gawne and Johnny McMurray (2).

Previous Meetings:

The two clubs would meet on the opening night of the season as the Stripes would make a winning start after coming from a goal behind to record a 2-1 success against their derby rivals. The Sky Blues would take a 12th minute lead as a cross into the box by Steven McCullough met the head of Colin Coates who powered a header into the bottom corner. However, Coleraine responded on 35 minutes as a quick corner kick saw Conor McKendry’s drive finding Matthew Shevlin and the striker expertly found the back of the net. An onslaught by the hosts would be rewarded on 61 minutes as McKendry was yet again involved as his dribble and cross found an unmarked Shevlin at the back post who made no mistake. The score could have been even more emphatic as Jamie Glackin clipped the outside of the post after being picked out by Lee Lynch.

However, Ballymena would avenge that defeat last month as they registered a 3-1 win on Warden Street. The Stripes would create the majority of the chances in the opening 45 minutes but received a blow on the half hour mark as striker Matthew Shevlin was dismissed for a foul on Sean O’Neill. The Sky Blues would make their numerical advantage count after the break via two quickfire goals from Noah Stewart to put the hosts 2-0 ahead. A penalty from Josh Carson would half the arrears but Alexander Gawne settled the contest with a decisive third for United.

Manager’s Thoughts:

“We’ve a good history in the League Cup, it’s a competition that’s been good to us in the past few years, albeit the final, but the other rounds have been good to us,” Kearney said.

“It’s a competition that we want to do well in.

“Ballymena stand in our way of an opportunity of getting into the quarter-finals and for us it’s about going there, building on Saturday’s performance and making sure we get another good level and ideally get ourselves into the last eight.

“We’ve been ticking along okay but been punished at different stages.

“I thought our performance last week against Cliftonville was as good as we’ve had all year.

“We’ve had another good away performance on Saturday.

“It’s about putting those building blocks together and trying to gain that wee bit of consistency and that’s the most important thing.”

Officials:

The match referee will be Evan Boyce.

The assistant referees are John Doherty and David Burns.

Jamie Robinson has been selected as the fourth official.

Admission:

Coleraine supporters will require tickets for the contest which can be bought HERE.

We would urge supporters to arrive at the ground in good time and respect residents and businesses in terms of parking your vehicle.

As ever, those unable to watch the fixture can follow the latest developments via the club’s official Twitter account (@ColeraineFC).