Matchday Guide: Cliftonville

COLERAINE and Cliftonville meet for the first time this season as Solitude plays hosts for tonight’s clash in the Sports Direct Premiership (KO 7:45pm)…

Sports Direct Premiership

Overview:

Coleraine picked up back-to-back wins in the Sports Direct Premiership on Friday night as they staged a thrilling late comeback to beat Glentoran at The Oval. The Bannsiders had been trailing to James Singleton’s first-half goal but netted twice in three minutes through Matthew Shevlin and Conor McKendry to complete the turnaround. Oran Kearney’s side are sixth in the Premiership standings to date and will be checking on the fitness of several players before travelling to north Belfast.

The Reds have made a strong start to the season and have also won back-to-back games. The first of those was a 3-0 away win at rivals Crusaders before building on that victory with a 2-0 success at Ballymena United. Jim Magilton’s men were also eliminated from the SPFL Trust Trophy by Raith Rovers and will face Institute at home in the first round of the BetMcLean Cup. Ex-Coleraine striker Ben Wilson has been in blistering form since joining the ranks at Solitude as Sam Ashford (Ayr United), Reece Jordan (Portadown), Luke Kenny (St Mirren – loan), David Odomosu (St Patrick’s Athletic – loan), Conor Pepper (Linfield) and Sean Stewart (Norwich City – loan) also signed.

Previous Meetings:

Coleraine and Cliftonville would square off not five or six times but a total of SEVEN games in all competitions last season.

Coleraine and Cliftonville met on the opening day of the season at The Showgrounds with the Bannsiders looking to get off to a winning start. They certainly did that as they led by two goals at the break as Evan McLaughlin netted a quick-fire brace in front of a packed Ballycastle Road. However, Cliftonville reduced the gap as Ryan Curran headed into the back of the net from Levi Ives’ cross before they hit the woodwork through Ronan Hale’s powerful drive. After weathering that storm, Oran Kearney’s men would seal all three points at the death as Jamie Glackin’s shot went over the body of Fynn Talley.

In October, Coleraine would be home once again to the Reds but would find themselves 2-0 down inside the opening 14 minutes as Rory Hale hit a double after two defensive errors. The Bannsiders reduced the arrears at the break as Conor McKendry’s strike took a wicked deflection and went over the body of Nathan Gartside. However, early second-half pressure from Cliftonville would pay off on 62 minutes as the Reds went 3-1 ahead as a corner kick by Jamie McDonagh was headed into the net by Ryan Curran. The Stripes brought on Evan McLaughlin and James McLaughlin in a bid to get back into the contest and they pulled another goal back on 77 minutes as a terrific delivery by Josh Carson was steered into the net by Matthew Shevlin. Despite setting up a grandstand finish, the north Belfast side would leave with all three points on 89 minutes as a quick counter attack involving Chris Gallagher and Luke Turner allowed the latter to cross for Joe Gormley who headed into the back of the net.

Cliftonville would be the opposition for the Bannsiders in the semi-final of the BetMcLean Cup in December. The Stripes fell behind at half-time through Ronan Hale’s effort but deservedly forced extra-time when Matthew Shevlin fired in from Conor McDermott’s cross. However, Paddy McLaughlin’s men would hit the front in first-half extra-time as Odhran Casey blasted a drive into the net after Coleraine failed to clear a corner kick. Despite that setback, Coleraine levelled for a second time as Shevlin headed home from Lee Lynch’s cross to set-up penalties. After both Lyndon Kane and Ronan Hale missed from 12 yards, every other penalty was scored apart from Casey who blazed over as Coleraine reached a third successive League Cup final.

In January, Coleraine were the visitors to Cliftonville in the Danske Bank Premiership and trailed at the break due to Ronan Hale’s long range effort. However, just before the hour mark, the Reds would stretch their advantage as Ronan Doherty’s corner kick went directly into the net. Despite that setback, Oran Kearney’s men would fightback and earned a share of the spoils after scoring two goals in as many minutes as Matthew Shevlin netted a quick fire double. The hosts would end the contest strongly but couldn’t find a way past Martin Gallagher to earn all three points.

A month later, Coleraine and Cliftonville would also be drawn together for a second successive year in the Irish Cup as Solitude hosted the Sixth Round clash. Yet again the fixture would be decided by a penalty shoot-out after the game finished 2-2 as Rory Hale and Jamie McDonagh netted for the hosts, whilst Jack O’Mahony and Stephen O’Donnell scored for the Bannsiders. However, the Stripes would pay the penalty for missed attempts from 12 yards as the Reds went through.

In April, Coleraine would travel to Cliftonville for the opening post-split fixture in what would turn out to be yet another four goal classic. Oran Kearney’s men would take a fourth minute lead as Matthew Shevlin laid the ball into the path of Lyndon Kane who rifled home his first goal of the season. Both teams would have chances thereafter, however, Cliftonville would go into the interval on level terms as Ronan Hale arrowed an effort beyond the reach of Gareth Deane. The Reds would see a few chances come and go in the opening parts of the second-half, although Coleraine would regain the lead on the hour mark. A defence splitting pass by Jamie Glackin allowed Andy Scott through on goal and he made no mistake. Just when it looked like Coleraine done enough to bag all three points, the hosts would score in stoppage time yet again as Ronan Hale’s free-kick deflected off the ball and into the net.

The final meeting would be in the European play-off semi-final, again at Solitude, as the Bannsiders would be punished for a sluggish start. By the time the clock struck 20 minutes, Cliftonville would find themselves 2-0 ahead as Ryan Curran arrowed a drive into the bottom corner before Ronan Doherty added a second. The Reds should have arguably added to their scoreline before the break but Coleraine were much improved in the second-half and halved the arrears through Matthew Shevlin’s finish. However, despite pressure at the end, Cliftonville held firm to reach the final which they lost to Glentoran.

Manager’s Thoughts:

“You’re stepping into another cauldron but you’re better going there with three points and a performance like we produced on Friday night.

“You’re going there with a spring in your step rather than your tail between your legs ideally looking to get something out of the game.

“We’ll freshen up and be ready to go again on Tuesday.

“I’m not being critical but I said to the players before the game that seven games in I thought we were stuck in third gear.

“I’ve been delighted with pre-season, delighted with training and the attitude, but for whatever reason we have just huffed and puffed.

“I know we’re better than that, I honestly believe we have the players to go and put performances in anywhere in the country.

“But we’re fed up talking about it. There comes a point when we need that momentum swing that allows you to really go and put that foot forward. Hopefully this can be that step.”

Officials:

The match referee will be Jamie Robinson.

The assistant referees are Adam Jeffrey and Brian Wilson.

Shane Andrews 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 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).