Matchday Guide

Matchday Guide: Dergview

COLERAINE are in League Cup action for the first time this season as they host Dergview at The Showgrounds this evening (KO 7:45pm)…

BetMcLean League Cup First Round

Overview:

Due to the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II, football across all levels in Northern Ireland was postponed meaning the last time Coleraine was in action was the 5-0 win against Dungannon Swifts. An own goal by Caolan Marron, added to strikes from Kieran Farren, Matthew Shevlin, Jamie Glackin and Michael McCrudden meant it was a successful night at Stangmore Park. The League Cup has been a kind competition for the Stripes in recent years as they were runners-up last time out after winning it in 2020.

Dergview are currently managed by Tommy Canning and are currently bottom of the Lough41 Championship standings after amassing one point from their opening five games so far. There will be two familiar faces returning to the Ballycastle Road as Graham Crown and Gareth Falconer are on the books at Dergview.

Previous meetings:

The last time Coleraine met Dergview in a competitive match was in the 2020/21 season as they were paired in the semi-final of the North-West Cup. The Castlederg side would lead at the break as Sean McCarron netted from the spot after being fouled by Martin Gallagher before they doubled that advantage as Graham Young’s strike from distance sailed into the top corner. Just seconds after Paul Wells made a superb stop to deny Curtis Allen’s header from finding the back of the net, Coleraine were awarded a penalty as the ball struck the arm of Dergview skipper Blaine Burns. Regular penalty taker Ben Doherty made no mistake as he arrowed the ball into the back of the net. Despite late pressure, the Stripes bowed out of the competition.

This will be the first ever meeting in the League Cup, across all different forms, between the two sides.

Manager’s Thoughts:

“We have fond memories of the League Cup after winning the competition two years ago and reaching the final last season,” Kearney said.

“We will want to replicate that this time around but we know Dergview are a good team who always seem to recruit well.

“The squad is in a good shape and everyone is raring to go apart from Stephen Lowry and Rodney Brown who are absent.

“It seems quite a while ago since we last played but we are looking forward to getting back out there and starting on the right foot.”

Officials:

The match referee will be Ben McMaster.

The assistant referees are Jamie Carnduff and John Doherty.

Admission:

Supporters are advised that entry is via tickets only (£10 adults and £5 concessions) HERE.

Both sets of fans are kindly asked to read our matchday arrangements HERE before travelling to The Showgrounds.

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

If you have access to a lateral flow/PCR test at home, we would encourage you to check yourself before coming to the game.

If you have been in contact with a positive case and haven’t yet been contacted by track and trace, please do not come to the game.

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