Matchday Guide

Matchday Guide: Carrick Rangers

COLERAINE host Carrick Rangers for the first time this season as the Bannsiders hope to maintain their recent run of good form (KO 7:45pm)…

Danske Bank Premiership

Overview:

The Bannsiders would stretch their unbeaten run to twelve games last weekend after coming from two goals down to earn a share of the spoils against Cliftonville. The Stripes would give themselves an uphill battle after goals from Ronan Hale and Ronan Doherty gave the Reds a commanding lead but a quick-fire double from Matthew Shevlin salvaged a 2-2 draw. The result means Coleraine remain 5th in the table ahead of a busy week that also sees them face Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park.

Due to the inclement weather, Carrick’s game against Portadown was postponed meaning their last competitive fixture was a 3-3 draw against Cliftonville at the Loughview Leisure Arena. Despite trailing 3-1 at the break, Stuart King’s fought back for a point as Lloyd Anderson scored a last gasp equaliser. The Amber Army find themselves 9th in the Premiership standings and have signed Daniel Kelly, Nedas Maciulaitis and Jamal Dupree during the January transfer window.

Previous meetings:

The first meeting this season would take place at the Loughview Leisure Arena in August. After Carrick started the brightest, it would be Coleraine who would take a 19th minute lead as Lee Lynch crossed for Matthew Shevlin who headed into the net despite the best efforts of Ben Tilney to clear the ball off the line. Both teams would continue to create half chances at the Loughview Leisure Arena but once again Coleraine would pounce as Evan McLaughlin released the run of Shevlin who comfortably rounded Ross Glendinning to tap the ball into an empty net. However, the Amber Army would half the deficit before the break as referee Raymond Crangle pointed to the spot after Cameron Stewart was adjudged to have been fouled inside the box. The spot kick would be taken by David Cushley who sent Marty Gallagher the wrong way. After Stewart went inches away from levelling matters, the Stripes would regain their two goal lead as Kieran Farren’s header from Josh Carson’s free-kick went into the path of Shevlin who completed his hat-trick. The hosts would be left frustrated soon after as Gallagher somehow denied Curtis Allen from close range before Emmett McGuckin’s header was cleared off the line by Josh Carson. With less than two minutes remaining, the Stripes would add a fourth as Jamie Glackin was in the right place at the right time to divert Aaron Jarvis’ cross into the net, with Carrick pulling a consolation goal back in added time as Allen arrowed a fine strike into the far corner.

Coleraine would return to east Antrim for a second time in November and left with all three points via Josh Carson’s late winner. On 19 minutes, the hosts would threaten as persistence from David Cushley presented the ball to Lloyd Anderson inside the box and he fired over from close range. Soon after, the ball would hit the back of the net as Cameron Stewart headed in from a corner, but thankfully for Coleraine, the goal was disallowed for an infringement in the box. On the stroke of half-time, the Bannsiders had Gareth Deane to thank as the stopper somehow tipped Kyle Cherry’s shot over the bar. Oran Kearney’s men were much improved after the break and threatened on several occasions as Josh Carson, Conor McDermott, Adam Mullan and Lee Lynch all went close to finding the back of the net. However, the breakthrough would arrive on 82 minutes as a ball forward wasn’t dealt with by the Carrick defence and Carson’s turn and shot found the top corner.

Manager’s Thoughts:

“Carrick will come here that little bit fresher after not playing at the weekend,” Kearney said.

“We’ve got to guard to against that.

“I can never remember an easy game against Carrick and they’ll fight for everything.

“It’s important we back up the comeback against Cliftonville and get a big, big performance.”

Officials:

The match referee will be Andrew Davey.

The assistant referees are Gavin Hegarty and Bogdan Sfirloaga.

Gareth Stewart has been selected as the fourth official.

Sponsors:

The match sponsor is Gleam Property Services.

Robert Loughrey has kindly agreed to sponsor the match ball.

The mascots this evening are Ralph McCook and Stevie Tosh.

The Man of the Match award will be sponsored by Holley Optometrists.

Admission:

Season tickets are valid for the fixture, although, non-season ticket holders will require matchday tickets for the fixture which can be bought online HERE.

Carrick Rangers fans will need tickets to enter the stadium which can be purchased HERE.

Both sets of supporters are kindly asked to read the following matchday arrangements HERE.

If you are not feeling yourself this evening and you have symptoms which you feel are similar to COVID-19, please stay away from the stadium and think of others.

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