Matchday Guide: Glenavon

COLERAINE travel to Mourneview Park in a bid to record their first win against Glenavon since March 2020…

Danske Bank Premiership

Overview:

Coleraine drew last time out as 90 minutes of football couldn’t separate them or Glentoran at The Showgrounds. In fairness, it wasn’t for the want of trying as Daniel Purkis and Conor McMenamin tested Gareth Deane, whilst at the other end, Matthew Shevlin would see a header come back off the post. The Bannsiders remained in sixth spot in the table and will be without the services of Shevlin and Lyndon Kane who are both suspended.

The Lurgan Blues are on a good run of form after having won three, drawn one and losing one of their last five games. Gary Hamilton’s side inflicted Glentoran’s first defeat of the season as well as picking up maximum points against Carrick Rangers and Ballymena United. Despite losing out to Linfield last weekend, the Lurgan side are pushing for a top six place and have several former Coleraine players in their ranks.

Previous meetings:

Glenavon travelled to the north coast in the only meeting between the two sides this season to date and left with a deserved three points. After Jamie Glackin would see a shot saved by Rory Brown, the visitors would also go close as Peter Campbell misfired when well positioned inside the area. However, Campbell would go one better on 26 minutes as he fired into the bottom corner from Conor McCloskey’s cut back. The Bannsiders would hit back twelve minutes later as Matthew Shevlin was fouled inside the area by Brown. This led to referee Shane Andrews pointing to the spot as Shevlin smashed home his sixth goal of the season. Gary Hamiton’s side would go back in front on 47 minutes as a strike from Robbie Garrett took a wicked deflection off Rodney Brown and went into the net via the post. Minutes later, Matthew Fitzpatrick would spurn a glorious chance as he fired wide from Isaac Baird’s through ball. Just after the hour mark, Coleraine would fall further behind as a ball over the top by Michael Glynn released the run of Fitzpatrick and the ex-Bannsider found the bottom corner.

Manager’s Thoughts:

“It’s been a tough two weeks for us,” Kearney said.

“It was nice to get a full week’s training and to freshen a few bodies up.

“It’s a team in recent times we haven’t been able to get good results from both at home and away.

“We went through a good spell of getting a result against Glenavon both home and away but now it’s turned.

“It’s up to us now to change that and there’s no better time to put that right.”

Officials:

The match referee will be Raymond Crangle.

The assistant referees are Victoria Finlay and David Burns.

Michael McKenna has been selected as the fourth official.

Admission:

Coleraine supporters can buy tickets for the fixture which can be purchased HERE.

If you are not feeling yourself this afternoon 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).