COLERAINE commence their post-split schedule as they are the visitors to Glentoran this evening (KO 7:45pm)…

SPORTS DIRECT PREMIERSHIP

Overview:

Coleraine secured their top-six status last time out as they beat Portadown at The Showgrounds. A single goal by Dylan Boyle on 69 minutes proved to be the difference as Dean Shiels’ men secured all three points. The result meant Coleraine remained in 6th spot ahead of the post-split fixture list.

Glentoran had already confirmed their top-six spot before they were last in action, where they were beaten by Crusaders at The Oval as Philip Lowry netted the winner for the Hatchetmen. Glentoran – who were runners-up in the BetMcLean Cup – find themselves 3rd in the Premiership table.

Previous Meetings:

Coleraine would leave The Oval with a hard-earned point as neither team could make the breakthrough back in August. Both teams would create plenty of chances in the first-half as Matthew Shevlin twice went close – either side of Jamie McGonigle’s thunderbolt – with Jordan Jenkins and Cameron Palmer having attempts at the other end. In a game played in tricky conditions, Glentoran would have the better of the opportunities after the break as Jenkins and David Fisher tried their hardest to find the back of the net.

In October, Dean Shiels’ men would recover from a one-goal deficit to earn all three points as Matthew Shevlin netted a deadly double. Glentoran hit the front on 20 minutes as a free-kick from Daniel Amos was on the money for Frankie Hvid to head home from close range. The Bannsiders’ best chance in the first-half landed at the feet of Shevlin but he was thwarted by a great save from Daniel Gyollai. Just when it looked like it wasn’t going to be Coleraine’s day, the hosts hit Glentoran with a quickfire double to turn the game on its head. The equaliser arrived on 72 minutes when Senan Devine’s endeavour was rewarded when Shevlin turned and fired into the roof of the net, before the same player added his second of the afternoon four minutes later after Dean Jarvis sent a ball into the box.

However, Glentoran got their revenge for that loss in October by securing a 2-1 win at The Showgrounds in February. In a first-half of very few big chances, the Glens hit the front on 31 minutes when a trademark delivery into the area by Daniel Amos picked out Jordan Jenkins and he did the rest by glancing a header into the back of the net. Glentoran stretched their lead with seven minutes to go as Marcus Kane’s cross from the left-hand side was met by a towering header from Kodi Lyons-Foster which gave Rory Brown no chance of stopping. Coleraine did set-up a grandstand finish at the death when Matthew Shevlin pounced on a defensive lapse, with Ronan Doherty and Corey Smith going close thereafter but to no avail.

Head coach’s Thoughts:

“We have to keep looking up and realistically with the form that we are in, we have to look to finish the season as strongly as possible,” Shiels said.

“We know there will be play-offs at the end of the season, so realistically, you are two games away from Europe in that situation.

“It’s about keeping that continuity, rhythm and momentum going into the split and seeing where it takes us.

“We’ve shown loads of progress since day one of the season and you can see that we look strong.

“The one thing I will say is that we look a hard team to beat and us going into the top-six, I think we will be hard to beat.”

Officials:

The match referee will be Shane McGonigle.

The assistant referees are Stephen Donaldson and Gavin Hegarty.

Ian McNabb has been appointed as the fourth official.

Admission:

Coleraine supporters are advised that they require tickets to enter the ground which can be bought HERE.

We would urge supporters to arrive at the ground in good time and respect residents and businesses in terms of parking your vehicle.

Supporters are advised that tomorrow night’s game will be segregated. This means Coleraine fans should enter the stadium via the Dee Street walkway.

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