Matchday Guide: Glentoran

COLERAINE are on their travels for the first time in 2024 as they visit Glentoran this afternoon (KO 3pm)…

Sports Direct Premiership

Overview:

The Bannsiders failed to make it into the sixth round of the Irish Cup as they were beaten by Cliftonville at The Showgrounds. After the game finished goalless, a Ronan Hale hat-trick in extra-time would condemn the Stripes to a 3-0 loss. Oran Kearney’s side are currently 6th in the Premiership standings and will be without a host of players this afternoon due to injuries and suspensions.

Glentoran were made to work for their passage through to the sixth round of the competition as Junior struck a last minute winner in a 1-0 success against Annagh United. That victory means the Glens will be away to Ballymacash Rangers early next month. The Glens have added Charlie Lindsay on loan until the end of the season and find themselves in fourth spot in the standings.

Previous Meetings:

In September, Oran Kearney’s men would come from behind to win at The Oval as two late goals saw the Bannsiders leave with all three points. Despite making a bright start to proceedings, Coleraine would find themselves behind on 24 minutes as James Singleton was in the right place at the right time to fire in from Shay McCartan’s free-kick. After several opportunities were wasted by the visitors, Coleraine responded on 79 minutes as Lee Harkin’s cross was headed into the net by Matthew Shevlin. The dramatic turnaround would then be completed two minutes later as Conor McKendry evaded several challenges before arrowing a strike into the bottom corner.

In November, the Stripes would host Glentoran as the Sky Sports cameras rolled into town. Glentoran would make a bright start and threatened after just three minutes as Jonathan Russell’s cross was blasted inches wide by Jay Donnelly. After Josh Carson fired over at the other end, the Glens would have further opportunities as Junior and Russell both headed wide from inviting positions. In the second-half, Jay Donnelly would have another attempt palmed away as Coleraine threatened twice late on as Matthew Shevlin had two sights of goal.

Manager’s Thoughts:

“It’s going to be a tough game,” Kearney said after the defeat to Cliftonville.

“We’ll lose Lyndon Kane to suspension and we’ve also picked up a few injuries which isn’t ideal.

“We will get those assessed and see where we go from there.

“I’m just not happy with the volume of players we have missing.

“It will change in the next few weeks, we had five or six out training before the game who could have been available but we didn’t want to risk them.

“We didn’t want to throw someone out there and then put them out for another four weeks.”

Officials:

The match referee will be Jamie Robinson.

The assistant referees are Andrew Nethery and Adam Jeffrey.

Lee Tavinder has been appointed as the fourth official.

Admission:

Coleraine supporters will require tickets for the contest 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.

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