Matchday Guide: Crusaders

COLERAINE are in action for the final time this month as Crusaders are the visitors to The Showgrounds this afternoon (KO 3pm)…

Sports Direct Premiership

Overview:

Coleraine come into the contest on the back of a 5-0 defeat to Cliftonville on Tuesday night. After a competitive first-half, the Bannsiders would be severely punished after the break as Joe Gormley completed his hat-trick alongside a brace from Ben Wilson. That result means Oran Kearney’s side drop down to 7th in the Premiership standings at this stage. There will be a boost to the squad this afternoon as Dean Jarvis completes a one-match ban.

Crusaders also lost out in midweek as they were beaten 2-0 by Linfield at Windsor Park. Two first-half goals from Joel Cooper and Matthew Fitzpatrick sealed the deal for the Blues. That loss means Stephen Baxter’s side are now 4th in the table and they have been drawn away to Warrenpoint Town in the first round of the BetMcLean Cup. It was a busy summer at Seaview as Lloyd Anderson (Carrick Rangers), Jimmy Callacher (Linfield), Mikhail Kennedy (Dergview), Mal Smith (Glentoran), James Teelan (Newry City) and Jordan Williamson (Ballymena United) all joined the club.

Previous Meetings:

Coleraine had a mixed bag of results against Crusaders last season as they won one and lost three games against the Hatchetmen in the Sports Direct Premiership.

After the first game between the two sides was postponed due to the sad passing of the Queen, the Bannsiders welcomed Crusaders to The Showgrounds last September. The hosts would make a poor start as McCauley Snelgrove blasted an effort into the bottom corner after just 47 seconds. To make matters worse, Coleraine would concede a second after 14 minutes on the clock when Adam Lecky burst into the box and cut the ball back for Jude Winchester. The midfielder had the precision to find Philip Lowry inside the area and he picked his spot beyond a helpless Gareth Deane. The Stripes needed a response before the break and it arrived in fortunate circumstances on 39 minutes as corner kick by Lynch was headed towards goal by Stephen O’Donnell, with the ball taking several deflections before finding the back of the net. Oran Kearney brought on James McLaughlin with 15 minutes to go and the striker almost made an instant impact as his half volley forced Tuffey into a low smart save as Crusaders held out for a 2-1 victory.

In December, the Stripes made it a memorable week as they picked up their third victory in six days at The Showgrounds. Coleraine would hit the front on 12 minutes as Josh Carson’s free-kick came back off the post with Aaron Jarvis in the right place at the right time to follow in the rebound. In a first-half with very few chances, the visitors went close on 29 minutes as Adam Lecky headed wide from Jordan Forsythe, with in-form Philip Lowry also nodding past the post from Ross Clarke’s delivery. However, the Stripes would make it 2-0 on 61 minutes as Dean Jarvis and Jamie Glackin combined to tee up Evan McLaughlin who arrowed into the back of the net. Crusaders needed an instant lifeline but the best they could muster was a strike from Adam Lecky which Deane comfortably held to make it five successive clean sheets in the Premiership.

In February this year, the Stripes would leave Seaview empty handed as a goal in each half from Paul Heatley and Adam Lecky did the damage in north Belfast. On a breezy afternoon, Crusaders would take the lead just after the half hour mark as Stephen O’Donnell misjudged the flight of the ball which allowed Heatley to run through and score. This would almost be repeated just before the interval as Conor McDermott was caught underneath the ball but Heatley failed to find the back of the net as he was denied by Gareth Deane. Just after Rory McKeown and Ross Clarke went close for the hosts, Coleraine had their first sight of goal as Jack O’Mahony’s strike from 25 yards sailed over the bar. However, Crusaders secured all three points on 86 minutes as Philip Lowry robbed the Bannsiders in possession and squared the ball to Lecky who converted.

The final contest was in the post-split fixtures in April as Coleraine would lose 3-1 in north Belfast as three second-half goals from the hosts sealed all three points for Stephen Baxter’s side. The Stripes would hold a half-time lead as Jordan Forsythe brought down Andy Scott inside the area, allowing Michael McCrudden to net his 7th goal of the season from the spot. However, the Crues would be awarded a penalty of their own seven minutes into the second-half as Jack O’Mahony was adjudged to have handled from a corner kick. The resulting spot kick was emphatically finished by Jordan Forsythe.  This sparked the Irish Cup holders into life and they scored a second through Philip Lowry’s header, before making sure of the win on 77 minutes as Forsythe added his second of the evening from close range.

Manager’s Thoughts:

“We would absolutely need to get a reaction this weekend,” Kearney said added.

“You can’t predict anything in football and that’s the key thing but for us I’m embarrassed in simple terms and I feel a huge level of embarrassment and shame and everything that goes with it.

“I sincerely hope every single one of those players going home tonight have a real good look in the mirror and the attitude going into Saturday has to be that we go and deliver for 94 minutes full stop, no matter what.

“To me, that’s the bare minimum.”

Officials:

The match referee will be Ben McMaster.

The assistant referees are John Doherty and Brian Wilson.

Shane Andrews has been selected as the fourth official.

Sponsors:

The match sponsor is J. Calvin t/a W. Mitchell Car Body Repairs.

AJ Shepherd has kindly agreed to sponsor the match ball.

The mascots this afternoon are Louis and Evan.

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.

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

A reminder that a bucket collection will take place for funds in aid of a new minibus for Sandelford School.

The Social Club will be open from 11:30am – with drink promotions on offer from 1:30pm until kick-off and then from 5pm to 6:30pm.

Due to a large 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).