Matchday Guide: Glenavon

FRESH off BetMcLean Cup duty, Coleraine are back in Premiership action as the Bannsiders host Glenavon this afternoon (KO 3pm)…

Sports Direct Premiership

Overview:

Coleraine reached the second round of the BetMcLean Cup in midweek as Lee Lynch’s extra-time goal edged out Bangor at The Showgrounds. The 2-1 win means the Bannsiders will be away to rivals Ballymena United in the next round early next month. Oran Kearney’s side are currently 7th in the Premiership standings and will look to get back to winning ways after back-to-back defeats in the league.

It has all been change for Glenavon since the last time the two sides met as long-serving manager Gary Hamilton has been replaced by Stephen McDonnell. The Lurgan Blues would also be victorious after extra-time in the BetMcLean Cup on Tuesday night as two late goals from Sean Ward sealed a 2-1 win against Dergview at Mourneview Park. The County Armagh side are 10th in the table with Adam Davidson (Tauranga City), Bobby Deane (Dergview), Michael Hynes (unattached). Johnny McCullough (Portadown), Jamie McDonagh (Cliftonville – loan), Andy Mooney (Crumlin United), Tiernan Mulvenna (Crewe United), Jackson Nesbitt (Bourneview Mill), Niall Quinn (Linfield), Odhrán Smyth (Annagh United) and Stephen Teggart (Portadown) all joining in the summer.

Previous Meetings:

Coleraine failed to beat Glenavon in three contests last season as the Lurgan Blues won twice and the other game finished in a draw.

In August last year, Glenavon travelled to the north coast in the first meeting between the two sides this season and left with a deserved three points. The deadlock would be broken 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. 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. 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.

In November, Coleraine would be the visitors to Mourneview Park as the two teams played out a goalless draw. The Bannsiders would enjoy a quick start and threatened twice through Aaron Jarvis, as well as Josh Carson firing over from Michael McCrudden’s cross. Glenavon would then create two big opportunities of their own as Eoin Bradley failed to get a meaningful touch onto Danny Wallace’s cross, with Matthew Fitzpatrick blazing over after being found by Peter Campbell. Coleraine would hit the woodwork before half-time through McCrudden’s close range effort, with Bradley seeing a strike being turned around the post early in the second-half. The Lurgan Blues would then have two chances cleared off the line by Kieran Farren, with Campbell and Fitzpatrick both guilty of failing to find the back of the net with two further openings. The Stripes would nearly win it at the death as McCrudden headed inches over from Evan McLaughlin’s cross.

The final contest in March would also go in the way of Glenavon despite the Bannsiders holding a half-time advantage as Andy Scott seized upon an error by Rory Brown to slot into an empty net. Just after Matthew Shevlin would see a goal bound effort blocked off the line, Glenavon would level the scores as an acrobatic finish by Matthew Fitzpatrick left Gareth Deane with no chance on 69 minutes. The Lurgan Blues used that momentum to their advantage as they netted a late winner as Michael O’Connor found the back of the net.

Manager’s Thoughts:

“One of the things, and I’ve said it before where, I always look every year as to how we do against every team,” Kearney said.

“Last year I think we had one point out of nine against Glenavon which ideally we want to improve on.

“That’s the target and if you can every year improve on your set of three or four results against teams you’ve played in the previous season, then it’ll leave you in a better place.

“For me, my big focus is not about hoodoos or anything like that, we underperformed or didn’t get the results against Glenavon last year and we’ve got to find a way of doing that starting this Saturday.”

Officials:

The match referee will be Raymond Crangle.

The assistant referees are Stephen Donaldson and David Burns.

Christopher Morrison has been selected as the fourth official.

Sponsors:

The match sponsor is The Hummingbird Project.

Mona Lisa Pizzeria has kindly agreed to sponsor the match ball.

The mascots this afternoon are Connor and Ollie.

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.

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

A reminder that a #WereYouThere event will be taking place in a show of solidarity for World Mental Health Day HERE.

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).