Matchday Guide: Crusaders

COLERAINE and Crusaders square off for the first time this season as the pair meet at The Showgrounds tonight (KO 7:45pm)…

Danske Bank Premiership

Overview:

Coleraine made it a trio of wins and clean sheets as they picked up a 1-0 win against Carrick Rangers last weekend. Just when the game looked like ending scoreless, the Bannsiders would pocket a precious three points as Josh Carson struck with eight minutes to go to make it a good week for Oran Kearney’s men. The Stripes remain 5th in the Premiership standings and are four points behind tonight’s opponents having played the same amount of games.

Crusaders come into the contest after losing 4-1 to Larne on Friday night – with Tiernan Lynch’s men netting all four goals in the first half through Lee Bonis (2), Leroy Millar and Paul O’Neill. The Hatchetmen did manage to get a consolation goal back as Philip Lowry struck in second-half stoppage time. Stephen Baxter’s men dropped to third in the table and added Dean Ebbe (The New Saints), Rory McKeown (Wellington Olympic), Tom Murphy (Armagh City), McCauley Snelgrove (Hull City – loan) and Aidan Steele (Crystal Palace) to their squad in the summer.

Previous meetings:

Coleraine and Crusaders met on four occasions during the 2021/22 campaign – with the Bannsiders winning one, drawing one and losing two.

The Stripes would make the trip to Crusaders early in the season as they pocketed all three points at Seaview back in October. A strong start by the visitors would be rewarded as Eoin Bradley’s turn and finish would find the bottom corner on ten minutes. The lead would be doubled just after the hour mark as Matthew Shevlin’s cross was headed into the net by the onrushing Josh Carson.

The Bannsiders would host Stephen Baxter’s side at The Showgrounds just before Christmas. Despite the first-half being a low key affair, the woodwork would be struck just four minutes after the restart as a neat passage of play resulted in Jordan Forsythe’s effort cannoning off the crossbar. On 54 minutes, the Bannsiders thought they had the made the breakthrough as a throw-in wasn’t cleared by the Crusaders defence and the ball landed at the feet of Josh Carson. The midfielder – who netted in the reverse fixture back in October – was unable to steer his strike on target. Kearney went to his bench to bring on James McLaughlin in a bid to take the lead but Stephen Baxter’s side would rue their luck as Gareth Deane made a superb stop to deny Declan Caddell, before Heatley arrowed over when well positioned inside the area. However, the chance of the game would arrive on 86 minutes as a superb delivery into the box by BJ Burns met Adam Lecky at the back post. The substitute looked destined to find the back of the net but his header went wide of the far post.

In March, Seaview would be the venue with the hosts getting a foot hold into the game and threatening on 14 minutes as Gareth Deane dived low to keep out Ross Clarke’s effort, before Jordan Owens fired over the crossbar from Jordan O’Rourke’s clever cut back. On 21 minutes, a good passage of play from the Crues resulted in Philip Lowry blazing over from just outside the area. Two minutes later, the Stripes would launch a counter attack which saw McKendry bend an effort over Tuffey’s net. However, the deadlock would be broken on 26 minutes as Coleraine fell sleep from a quick free-kick which allowed Lowry to squeeze the ball under the body of Deane. Oran Kearney’s men looked to bounce back from that setback and should have had an instant equaliser as great play involving Jamie Glackin, Matthew Shevlin and Bradley released McKendry inside the box, but just when the winger looked like rattling the net, he would be denied at close range by Tuffey as Crusaders survived. Chances would be at a premium in the second 45 minutes with substitute Johnny McMurray testing the gloves of Deane, with Stephen O’Donnell going close with a header from a corner kick. The travelling support would be left frustrated on 84 minutes as Patrick Kelly released Glackin inside the box with the winger would be thwarted by Tuffey. Just a minute later, a header forward by Josh Carson found substitute Curtis Allen but the marksman arrowed wide from an acute angle.

The final clash would see Crusaders – who had just reached the Irish Cup final – walk away with a commanding 4-1 win at The Showgrounds in April. The Crues would make a blistering start and led by three goals at the break as Adam Lecky, Paul Heatley and Daniel Larmour all found the back of the net. Any hopes of a comeback were quickly distinguished as Jude Winchester added a fourth just two minutes into the second-half. The home support would have a late goal to celebrate as Josh Carson netted a consolation strike in second-half stoppage time.

Manager’s Thoughts:

“It’s been a great week,” said Kearney after the win against Carrick Rangers.

“We’ve got ourselves through to another League Cup semi-final which we will park and look forward to. 

“There have been three clean sheets as well but we follow that up with games on Tuesday and Friday night which are two massive games. 

“We’re enjoying it, it’s good, there’s a good feeling in there as it’s nice to win two or three and grind a few out which shows a different side to us. 

“We will see what way the bodies recover over the weekend and we will pick a team for Tuesday night.”

Officials:

The match referee will be Ben McMaster.

The assistant referees are George Argyropoulos and John Doherty.

Diarmuid Harrigan has been selected as the fourth official.

Sponsors:

The match sponsor is Made in Antrim.

Gerry McMillan has kindly agreed to sponsor the match ball.

The mascot this evening is Luke Galbraith Hargan.

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 also 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).