COLERAINE go in search of securing European football as the Bannsiders host Crusaders in the semi-final of the end-of-season play-offs this evening (KO 7:45pm)…

EUROPEAN PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL

Overview:

The fixture will mark Ruaidhri Higgins’ first game in charge since he was announced as manager last week. The Bannsiders’ last competitive game was at the tail end of last month as Rhyss Campbell’s stunning effort saw off Linfield to ensure Coleraine ended the regular campaign on a winning note and move up to fifth in the table.

Crusaders ended their Premiership campaign with a 1-0 loss at Dungannon Swifts as John McGovern’s second-half goal proved to be the difference at Stangmore Park. It meant the Crues dropped a place in the Premiership standings down to sixth ahead of the end-of-season play-offs.

Previous Meetings:

Coleraine ended up empty-handed as the two teams met each other in October at Seaview. The hosts made the breakthrough on 23 minutes as the Bannsiders lost possession deep inside their own box which allowed Kieran Offord to pick out Stewart Nixon who made no mistake with an emphatic finish. Just after Connor Murray hit the top of the crossbar with an effort from the edge of the box, Coleraine drew level on 35 minutes. A crisp passage of play saw Jamie McGonigle find Dylan Boyle and the summer signing grabbed his first Coleraine goal by sending an effort into the bottom corner. After a slow start to the second-half, Coleraine found themselves behind yet again on 56 minutes after losing possession from their own throw-in. As a result, Jordan Stewart was played through one-on-one with Max Little and he made no mistake with a clinical finish. The Stripes had chances to salvage a point that their performance at least deserved but they slipped to a 2-1 loss.

Coleraine suffered another 2-1 defeat at the same venue as the Bannsiders bowed out of the BetMcLean Cup. After a strong start, Coleraine took a deserved lead in the first-half as Connor Murray’s hanging cross was headed into the back of the net by Matthew Shevlin. The Stripes were guilty of missing several guilt-edged chances after that and Crusaders punished as they drew level several minutes after the restart through Philip Lowry’s finish. Just when the game looked like entering extra-time, Crusaders had different ideas as Lowry netted a late winner to seal their passage through to the quarter-final.

Remarkably, Crusaders clinched another 2-1 victory against Coleraine on the Ballycastle Road In an entertaining first half, Jordan Stewart opened the scoring with a close-range header before Kieran Offord added a second after a defensive mix-up for Coleraine. Matthew Shevlin pulled a goal back in the second half, but Kyle McClelland was sent off soon after as Declan Caddell’s side held on for victory.

The fourth instalment was also won by Crusaders as they left The Showgrounds courtesy of a 2-0 success. After the Bannsiders squandered three or four big chances, Coleraine conceded with Crusaders’ first meaningful attack of the game on 36 minutes. A dangerous cross swung in by Ross Clarke found the head of Jacob Blaney who made it 1-0 to the Crues. Coleraine looked to get back into the contest after the restart and hit the crossbar on 53 minutes when Connor Murray’s thunderous effort clipped the top of the woodwork. Johnny Tuffey was once again proving his worth between the sticks as he palmed away Dean Jarvis’ sweetly hit half-volley, with Glackin unable to steer a shot from the resulting corner below the crossbar. You felt it wasn’t going to be Coleraine’s day with 25 minutes remaining as substitute Corey Smith cut in from the left-hand and his strike hit the post. After numerous crosses into the box and sustained pressure, Crusaders made it an away day to remember as they made it 2-0 at the death. A swift counter-attack by Josh O’Connor resulted in the Scotsman laying the ball on a plate for Harry Jewitt-White to tap into an empty net.

Moreover, last month, Coleraine suffered a nightmare start in the next meeting as the hosts took the lead inside the opening minute. A long ball forward saw Jay Boyd afforded too much time to turn inside the box and he rifled a shot into the far corner. Coleraine looked for an instant response and carved out two big opportunities as a fine team move resulted in Matthew Shevlin’s header being saved by Johnny Tuffey, before Rhyss Campbell fizzed a low effort beyond the far post moments later. However, the Bannsiders’ task would then prove to be even more difficult as Crusaders doubled their lead on 56 minutes. An interception by Jamie Glackin inadvertently presented Boyd with the perfect opportunity to score and he did just that with another well-executed finish. The afternoon finished with Boyd completing his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Kyle McClelland was adjudged to have brought down Josh O’Connor inside the area.

Manager’s Thoughts:

“I think you have to have short, medium and long-term goals,” Higgins said.

“The short term goal is trying to get ourselves into Europe. We definitely have the quality to do that if we believe in ourselves.

“Medium and long-term it’s about building a squad and build on the good culture that is already in place here. We want to try and take the club to the next level.

“The players and everyone around the club have been great the last few days.. The standard in training has been very good and if we can continue that over the next few days, then we will give ourselves a really good chance.”

Officials:

The match referee will be Shane Andrews.

The assistant referees are Stephen Bell and Brian Wilson.

Evan Boyce has been selected as the fourth official.

Sponsors:

The match sponsor is John Marshall and Friends.

Executive Travel NI and the Pals Club have kindly agreed to sponsor the match ball.

The mascots this evening are Isla and Joseph.

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

Admission:

Season tickets are NOT valid for the fixture, meaning home supporters will require matchday tickets which can be bought HERE.

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

Due to a good crowd expected at The Showgrounds, we encourage both sets of supporters to arrive at the ground in good time HERE.

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