Matchday Guide: Newry City

COLERAINE feature in Friday night football yet again as they face Newry City this evening (KO 7:45pm)…

Danske Bank Premiership

Overview:

The Bannsiders come into the fixture after last weekend’s defeat to Glentoran as Conor McMenamin’s goal was the difference at The Oval. However, a mixture of experience and youth would take to the pitch on Tuesday night as Conor McKendry’s hat-trick helped Coleraine reach the semi-final stage of the North-West Cup. Coleraine are currently 4th in the Premiership standings with tonight’s match marking their last fixture in the month of September.

Newly promoted Newry City have taken six points from as many games which includes last Friday night’s 1-0 success against Dungannon Swifts as Lorcan Forde’s strike would prove to be the match winner. Darren Mullen’s side also picked up an eye catching 5-1 win away to Glenavon and booked their spot in the second round of the BetMcLean League Cup after defeating Limavady United on penalties. After gaining promotion, City added Mo Boudiaf (Drogheda United), Jamie Clarke (unattached), Ebuka Kwelele (Dundalk), Andrew Martin (Banbridge Town), Ciaran O’Connor (Glentoran – loan), Emmanuel Omrore (unattached), Donal Rocks (Cliftonville – loan) and Ethan Sousa (Dungannon Swifts) to their squad.

Previous meetings:

The two sides last met on three occasions during the 2019/20 campaign and each team would record a win, with the other ending in a draw.

The first clash was at the Newry Showgrounds in September 2019 and the Bannsiders would fall behind as Declan Carville’s goal put the hosts in front at the break. However, Coleraine responded and levelled on 57 minutes as Aaron Burns lashed a strike into the back of the net. Despite constant pressure, the Stripes couldn’t force home a winner and had to settle for a share of the spoils.

The TV cameras would roll into the Ballycastle Road a few months later as the BBC streamed live footage. The game would end badly for the Bannsiders as Mark McCabe’s strike in the first-half was enough for the visitors to record a 1-0 victory.

The last contest was in March 2019 with Dean Shiels’ effort giving Rodney McAree’s men a first-half lead. That would be cancelled out by Tiarnan Rushe’s strike on 50 minutes but the Bannsiders would respond by netting three times before the full-time whistle. The first would be from the boot of Cormac Burke, with Eoin Bradley and James McLaughlin also getting in on the act.

Manager’s Thoughts:

“It has been a busy week for us,” Kearney said.

“We trained on Monday, we were able to give a few guys minutes on Tuesday night but the preparations have been on Newry.

“We lost to Glenavon earlier on in the season, it’s not ideal losing games but it’s a part of football, but the key thing is the response.

“We got the response after the Glenavon game and it’s so important we get that same spring in our step and same response.”

Officials:

The match referee will be Ross Dunlop.

The assistant referees are David Burns and Brian Wilson.

Michael McKenna has been selected as the fourth official.

Sponsors:

The match sponsor is Gleam Property Services.

Johnny Johnston has kindly agreed to sponsor the match ball.

The mascots this evening are Finn, Georgia and Tommy.

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.

Newry City 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.

The match will be streamed live via the BBC Sport NI website and available on the Red Button.

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.

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).