Matchday Guide: Ballymena United

COLERAINE travel to the Ballymena Showgrounds for the annual Boxing Day derby this afternoon (KO 3pm)…

Sports Direct Premiership

Overview:

Coleraine would lose for a second successive Premiership fixture after a 2-1 defeat against Linfield at Windsor Park. With the scores level at 0-0 after 65 minutes, the Blues would score two quick-fire goals from corner-kicks as Euan East and Rhys Annett both converted from deliveries into the box. Oran Kearney’s men pulled a goal back through Andy Mitchell’s close range finish but they failed to complete a miraculous comeback. The result meant Coleraine remained 6th in the Premiership table.

Ballymena United would also lose last weekend as they were beaten 2-0 away at Cliftonville. Goals from Odhran Casey and Ronan Hale would do the damage for the Reds, meaning Ballymena remain 11th in the table. The Sky Blues’ last win in the league was in October – against the Bannsiders – and they will face Queen’s University in the fifth round of the Irish Cup.

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 in October 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.

The two teams would be paired in the second round of the BetMcLean Cup in a match that will go down in history. The Sky Blues would take a half-time lead through Scot Whiteside’s header but the Stripes would force extra-time as Josh Carson netted from the spot after David McDaid was fouled inside the box. After no more goals were scored in the added 30 minutes, Coleraine would triumph 18-17 on penalties in what was the joint-third longest penalty shoot-out in history.

Manager’s Thoughts:

“We will come in on Christmas Eve morning and see what we’ve got available,” said Kearney after the 2-1 defeat at Linfield.

“We all go all guns blazing for Boxing Day.

“They are always big occasions and it’s one we want to go and get a result in.

“We’re patched up, there were a few guys missing on Friday night and three or four, ideally, who probably shouldn’t have played due to bugs and other aches and pains.

“A big credit to those guys for putting in a big shift.”

Officials:

The match referee will be Ian McNabb.

The assistant referees are David Burns and Shane Corrigan.

Keith Kennedy has been appointed 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).