Matchday Guide: Glentoran

COLERAINE go in search of securing European football as the Bannsiders travel to Glentoran in the end-of-season play-offs this evening (KO 7:45pm)…

European Play-Off Semi-Final

Overview:

Coleraine finished the Premiership campaign with a 5-0 loss to champions Larne as a mixture of poor defending and a red card issued to Darren Cole made things difficult at Inver Park. However, attention has quickly turned to the European play-off semi-final as the Bannsiders aim to win an end-of-season play-off for the very first time. Boss Oran Kearney has confirmed that Aaron Jarvis will be out for the rest of the campaign.

Glentoran beat Crusaders 4-0 on the final day of the season as both teams fielded an inexperienced line-up with the play-offs in mind. Declan Devine – who has been confirmed as the permanent Glentoran manager next season – helped guide the club to finish 5th in the Premiership standings. The winner of tonight’s tie will either be away to Crusaders or at home to Carrick Rangers on Monday (May 6).

If the game is tied after 90 minutes, extra-time and penalties will be used to decide the contest.

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.

Coleraine would have an afternoon to forget as they were the visitors to Glentoran in early January. With barely one minute on the clock the Glens took the lead through David Fisher after miscommunication at the back from the Bannsiders led to the striker getting through on goal for an easy tap-in. At the end of the first half, the Glens doubled their lead through Fisher who also doubled his goal tally after a long ball broke the Coleraine defensive line. This allowed the ball to be controlled by the Englishman and he slotted the ball beyond Brown into the net. Three minutes into the second half, Glentoran were awarded a penalty after a tangle in the box resulted in Junior going down inside the box. This allowed Fisher to complete his hat-trick as he calmly dispatched from 12 yards. With 52 minutes played, Junior pounced on a loose ball that was meant for Brown and rounded the ‘keeper to tap the ball home for 4-0. Two minutes later, Junior saw his long range shot cannon off the upright which meant he had a second bite at the cherry to place the ball into the bottom corner for Glentoran’s fifth. The hosts were becoming rampant and the ball broke to Bobby Burns at the edge of the box whose long-range daisycutter went into the bottom corner for 6-0.

Coleraine would pick up all three points against the Glens as Matthew Shevlin’s double was enough in a 2-1 success last month. In a first-half of very few clear-cut chances, the Bannsiders would go close on 25 minutes as Jamie McGonigle’s fizzed cross was headed over by an onrushing Josh Carson. At the other end, good play in midfield by the Glens resulted in James Singleton’s piledriver being pushed over the bar by Rory Brown. After Josh Carson went close with a free-kick, Coleraine would take the lead on 55 minutes as Shevlin seized upon a poor pass and turned his marker before rifling beyond Aaron McCarey. Just after Bobby Burns should have done better with a header, the hosts would stretch their advantage as another loose pass resulted in Shevlin to pounce once again. Glentoran would half the gap on 77 minutes as Paddy McClean scrambled the ball home with a composed finish and they almost left with a point at the death as Jay Donnelly headed over from close-range.

Manager’s Thoughts:

“We have had positive results against all three teams in the play-offs and that’s important,” said Kearney.

“We had a good result at home to Glentoran a couple of weeks ago and a really good result and performance up there earlier on in the season.

“That experience will hopefully stand us in good stead going into Wednesday night.

“The majority of the team trained on Monday night.

“Conor (McKendry) has a wee niggle so we will check that out and see how it goes.

“Aaron (Jarvis) has hurt his ankle and is out for the season.

“Ideally, everybody else is in a good place.

Officials:

The match referee will be Shane Andrews.

The assistant referees are Stephen Bell and Brian Wilson.

Declan Hassan has been appointed as the fourth official.

Admission:

Coleraine supporters will require tickets for the contest which can be bought HERE.

The match will be streamed live on the BBC iPlayer and available via the Red Button.

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).