COLERAINE conclude their Premiership schedule this afternoon as newly-crowned champions Linfield are the visitors to the Ballycastle Road (KO 5:30pm)…

SPORTS DIRECT PREMIERSHIP

Overview:

Coleraine lost for a second successive game last weekend as they were beaten by Crusaders at Seaview. Despite a strong first-half performance – which saw the Bannsiders miss a series of chances – the Crues picked up all three points as Jay Boyd netted a hat-trick for the hosts. The result means Coleraine now find themselves sixth in the Premiership standings.

Linfield confirmed the Premiership title for the 57th time in the club’s history before the post-split fixtures got under way. David Healy’s men travel to The Showgrounds after losing out at Larne last weekend as Conor McKendry netted a late winner for the Inver Reds. The Blues’ consistency so far this campaign means they are 23 points clear heading into the final weekend of action.

Previous Meetings:

Linfield emerged with a 3-0 victory when the two teams last met at The Showgrounds back in September. After Coleraine had a few sights of goal, Linfield took the lead when Joel Cooper rifled in from Matthew Fitzpatrick’s cut-back, before Kirk Millar’s corner-kick went directly into the net. The goals kept on arriving for the Blues as they made it 3-0 before the break when Kyle McClean converted his chance in the box after he received a low cross from the right wing after possession was given away in the Coleraine midfield. Both teams had opportunities after the interval but Linfield saw the game out comfortably.

In December, Linfield inflicted their second 3-0 win over Coleraine this season as Matthew Fitzpatrick’s double helped the Blues pick up all three points at Windsor Park. The hosts made the breakthrough on 29 minutes when a long ball forward wasn’t defended and Fitzpatrick did the rest by powering a strike into the back of the net from an acute angle. After Coleraine had a few sights of goal midway through the second-half, Linfield doubled their advantage through Joel Cooper on 72 minutes as the winger was afforded too much space inside the box to roll the ball into the bottom corner. David Healy’s side added a third on 88 minutes as substitute Cammy Ballantyne laid the ball on a plate for Fitzpatrick to dispatch his second of the afternoon.

In February, Coleraine secured their first win at Windsor Park since 2019 as Connor Murray’s double was the difference in the capital. The Bannsiders took the lead on 22 minutes when a clever passage of play resulted in Kyle Spence and Murray playing a neat one-two, with the latter finishing into the bottom corner. Linfield’s best chance of the opening 45 minutes landed at the foot of Joel Cooper but his attempt from an acute angle was kept out by Rory Brown. Just after Kyle Spence rattled the crossbar, Dean Shiels’ men doubled their advantage when Murray won a 50/50 battle before lashing the ball into the bottom corner. The Stripes were rarely troubled after that with Brown preserving his clean sheet as dived low to keep out Kieran Offord’s deflected effort.

Officials:

The match referee will be Tony Clarke.

The assistant referees are Kristian Hanna and Jason Millar.

Tim Marshall has been selected as the fourth official.

Sponsors:

The match sponsor is JW Service Centre.

Click NI Business Mobiles and Wilbert Marshall have kindly agreed to sponsor the match ball.

The mascot this afternoon is Eva.

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 HERE.

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

Due to a good 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).