Matchday Guide: Linfield

AFTER celebrating his 500th game in fine style, Bannsiders boss Oran Kearney leads his side against Linfield this afternoon (KO 3pm)…

Danske Bank Premiership

Overview:

Coleraine reached the quarter-final of the BetMcLean League Cup on Tuesday night as Conor McKendry’s late strike edged out Ballymena United on Warden Street. The Bannsiders thought it wasn’t going to be their day after Matthew Shevlin’s penalty miss but McKendry was in the right place at the right time to cap off Oran Kearney’s 500th game in charge of the Stripes. Coleraine lost out in their last league clash at Larne and they currently sit in fifth spot in the table.

Linfield travel to The Showgrounds after a narrow 1-0 win against Dundela in the League Cup, with the Blues also being victorious by the same scoreline in their last Danske Bank Premiership encounter against Dungannon Swifts. David Healy’s men continue their challenge on several fronts as they face Cliftonville in the quarter-final of the County Antrim Shield, as well as Kelty Hearts in the fourth round of the Scottish Challenge Cup. The Belfast side added Joel Cooper (Oxford United), Daniel Finlayson (St Mirren – loan), Robbie McDaid (Glentoran), Chris McKee (Rangers) and Eetu Vertainen (St Johnstone – loan) to their ranks in the summer.

Previous meetings:

The two clubs met in September last year and the Bannsiders would provide the greater attacking threat in the first-half as Conor McKendry, Jamie Glackin and Aaron Traynor all threatened the Linfield goal. However, David Healy’s men would make the breakthrough on 64 minutes as Stephen Fallon picked up possession and cleverly picked out the run of Christy Manzinga. The striker would make no mistake from close range as he dinked the ball over the advancing Gareth Deane. Coleraine brought on Cathair Friel and he would turn goal provider on 85 minutes. The Limavady man would get the ball from Glackin’s flick on and squared to McKendry who unleashed an unstoppable effort into the top corner. Linfield thought they had bagged a late winner on 89 minutes as two substitutes would combine for the final opportunity of the contest. A clever reverse pass by Jordan Stewart released Billy Chadwick but he blazed wide with the goal at his mercy.

In December last year, Coleraine would have home advantage as Linfield rolled into town in front of a bumper crowd at The Showgrounds. The deadlock would be broken on 24 minutes as Rodney Brown headed in from Conor McKendry’s corner kick. However, that lead would be short lived as Linfield drew level on 38 minutes as Christy Manzinga was in the right place at the right time to fire the visitors level after Kirk Millar’s initial effort cannoned off the crossbar. The Blues would grab the decisive third goal of the contest in dramatic circumstances as the ball struck referee Tim Marshall who failed to stop play and Stephen Fallon took full advantage by finding the bottom corner. Oran Kearney’s side would have numerous chances after that to earn a share of the spoils but they couldn’t force a way past Chris Johns.

The third meeting would be at The Showgrounds as Coleraine arguably put in their best performance of the season. In front of a packed crowd on the Ballycastle Road, the Stripes would take the lead on 11 minutes from the penalty spot. A strike from Matthew Shevlin hit the hand of Ethan Devine leaving Steven Gregg with no hesitation in pointing to the spot. The ball was rifled into the net by Lyndon Kane who left Chris Johns with no chance. On 75 minutes, Coleraine would go further ahead as a poor pass by Michael Newberry was seized upon by Stephen Lowry. The midfielder had the vision to pick out Shevlin who did the rest as he took two neat touches to take the ball past Jimmy Callacher before finishing into the far corner of the net. Oran Kearney’s men would grab a scintillating third goal of the contest as they turned defence into attack. A corner kick from Matthew Clarke was forced onto the crossbar by Deane with Coleraine producing a devastating counter attack. A strong run and pass by Jarvis released Glackin inside the area and the midfielder did the rest by smashing a strike into the net.

The last clash was in the post-split fixtures at Windsor Park with Linfield knowing a positive result would see them win the Gibson Cup. The Blues would carry a greater attacking threat and their pressure finally paid off on 43 minutes as Ben Hall headed in from a corner kick. Then, right on the stroke of half-time, Linfield went 2-0 ahead as Ethan Devine slipped in Chris McKee who arrowed a strike beyond the reach of Marty Gallagher. The second-half was a more timid affair and on 64 minutes, former Coleraine ‘keeper Johns would have to keep his concentration to hold Carson’s half volley from outside the box. At the other end, Jordan Stewart had the vision to pick out Matthew Clarke on the left-hand side but the full-back failed to test Gallagher. Kearney emptied the bench by bringing on Curtis Allen and Kirk McLaughlin to add more firepower and that almost paid dividends as Allen fired over the bar after the ball wasn’t cleared by Hall.

Manager’s Thoughts:

“We’ve lost three games this season but the biggest credit I’ll give the players is that they’ve won the very next fixture,” Kearney said.

“We lost against Larne but we showed no real signs of that and got back up and running again.

“Games like Saturday are enjoyable ones and what the Irish League is all about.

“You hope that there will be three or four thousand people there who will make the place look brilliant and bouncing.

“Ideally, from our point of view, we just need to go and produce a performance.”

Officials:

The match referee will be Raymond Crangle.

The assistant referees are Paul Robinson and Ryan Kelsey.

Christopher Morrison has been selected as the fourth official.

Sponsors:

The match sponsor is TBF Thompson.

Stephen Barr and Niall Honeyford, Ally and Andrew Campbell have kindly agreed to sponsor the match ball.

The mascots this afternoon are Leo, Evan, Scarlet, Ollie and Jace.

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 which can be bought online HERE.

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

Both sets of supporters are kindly asked to read the following matchday arrangements HERE.

If you are not feeling yourself this evening and you have symptoms which you feel are similar to COVID-19, please stay away from the stadium and think of others.

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