Matchday Guide

Matchday Guide: Glentoran

COLERAINE face a trip to league leaders Glentoran in the Danske Bank Premiership this afternoon (KO 3pm)…

Danske Bank Premiership

Overview:

Coleraine come into the fixture after reaching the second round of the BetMcLean League Cup on Tuesday as goals from Evan McLaughlin (2), Michael McCrudden and Matthew Shevlin sealed a 4-0 win against Dergview. The Stripes will find out later today who their opposition will be in the next round of the competition. After Crusaders’ win against Linfield last night, the Bannsiders are now third in the Premiership standings ahead of today’s visit to The Oval.

Glentoran comfortably reached the second round of the BetMcLean League Cup after a 7-0 victory against Institute at The Oval. Mick McDermott’s side have also made a strong start to their Premiership campaign as they have won four and drawn one of their five games to date, conceding just once in the process. A host of new arrivals would join the ranks in the summer as Mike Argyrides (Larne), Terry Devlin (Dungannon Swifts), Kirk McLaughlin (Coleraine), Harry Murphy (Portadown), Danny Purkis (East Belfast), Ally Roy (Queen of the South), James Singleton (Glenavon), Ollie Webber (Portsmouth) and Aidan Wilson (Crusaders) were all signed.

Previous meetings:

The two sides clashed in the Danske Bank Premiership back in October last year in what would turn out to be an entertaining affair in East Belfast. The deadlock was broken on 15 minutes as Conor McKendry let fly from distance but the game would turn on its head as a quick fire double from Jay Donnelly allowed Glentoran to take the lead. However, the Bannsiders grabbed a share of the spoils with ten minutes to go as Cathair Friel pounced from Lyndon Kane’s strong run to make it two goals apiece – with Aaron McCarey dismissed following an off-the-ball incident with his own player.

A month later, Coleraine would be paired with Glentoran in the quarter-final stage of the BetMcLean League Cup. The Bannsiders would take the lead in fine style as Jamie Glackin and Conor McKendry combined for the opener which was slotted in by the former. After the Glens made a strong start to the second-half, Kearney’s men would bag a decisive second as Matthew Shevlin confidently slotted into the bottom corner.

Just before Christmas, the two teams would square off in a re-arranged Danske Bank Premiership fixture and the visitors would make a blistering start as Rory Donnelly headed home from Shay McCartan’s corner kick. The game was over as a contest just after the hour mark as Jay Donnelly converted from Conor McMenamin’s terrific pass. The Stripes would enjoy a late rally but neither Lyndon Kane nor Jamie Glackin could find the back of the net.

In January, the Stripes would visit east Belfast and would trail at the interval as Michael O’Connor used every inch of his body to stab home from Robbie McDaid’s cross. However, Coleraine were much improved after the break and equalised on 72 minutes as Stephen O’Donnell powered a header into the back of the net from a corner-kick. Despite looking like leaving with a share of the spoils, Glentoran would have the final say as Conor McMenamin was in the right place at the right time to convert an 89th minute winner.

The final meeting would be in the post-split fixtures as the Bannsiders picked up a much needed morale boosting victory. In a goalless first-half, the game would spark into life after the break as Patrick Kelly was upended inside the box, with Matthew Shevlin comfortably dispatching from the spot. However, the Glens would quickly equalise as a long ball forward wasn’t defended and this allowed Michael O’Connor to arrow a strike into the bottom corner. Just after the hour mark, Coleraine would edge in front again as Kelly laid the ball into the path of Aaron Jarvis who slotted past Aaron McCarey. On 74 minutes, it would be 3-1 as Kelly was once again involved as he slipped through James McLaughlin and his pass across goal was gobbled up by Shevlin. The visitors would ensure a grandstand finish as Ruaidhri Donnelly netted a late consolation goal.

Manager’s Thoughts:

“It will be a big test,” Kearney said.

“It always is when you go to The Oval and we are expecting nothing different.

“Ideally we managed everybody’s minutes on Tuesday night against Dergview and everything else.

“We will ensure everyone is fresh, we had a good training session on Thursday and we look forward to heading up the road.”

Officials:

The match referee will be Jamie Robinson.

The assistant referees are Stephen Bell and John Doherty.

Neil Robinson 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.

If you have access to a lateral flow/PCR test at home, we would encourage you to check yourself before coming to the game.

If you have been in contact with a positive case and haven’t yet been contacted by track and trace, please do not come to the game.

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