Mixed emotions for OK

COLERAINE boss Oran Kearney believes yesterday’s fixture was similar to other games against top six sides this season…

The Bannsiders and Linfield played out a 0-0 draw at The Showgrounds in a game that was limited to very few chances.

However, Kearney was quick to point out that his side was able to keep the back door shut after narrow defeats to Glentoran and Larne.

“It probably won’t live long in the memory for fans, but for us and our experience of top six games so far this season we’ve generally competed like that if not better,” he said.

“But it has been little lapses which have really cost us.

“Today for me, and this was not a message put into the changing room, it was more important that we kept the clean sheet.

“We probably went as attacking as we’ve gone all season long in relation to the bodies we’ve got there.

“With that though you’re asking really good attacking players to defend as well, and I thought they all did that admirably.

“The difference was against Larne and the Glens we conceded really sloppy goals.

“Today we’ve kept a clean sheet and defended really well.”

The Bannsiders’ best chance landed at the feet of Conor McDermott who saw an effort saved after just six minutes, with Linfield failing to register a shot on target across the entirety of the game.

With a sell-out crowd in attendance at The Showgrounds, Kearney rued the lack of a final pass to make a real clear cut opening.

“I felt, particularly in the second half, we had three or four opportunities on the far side, we moved it quickly, got in a really good position 2v1, but just the final execution to get in for that final ball let us down,” he continued.

“On three occasions we probably couldn’t have executed it any worse.

“In these games you’re down to those margins that you seek two or three opportunities to get one of those right, to get that cross in and get your goal, and then all of a sudden it’s a different game.

“I suppose that’s the realisation of what top six games have looked like this season.

“In our experience there has been nothing in them.

“I don’t think Linfield had a shot on target today, we’ve had a couple and a few blocked.

“It was very much no quarter given, no quarter gained I suppose is the best way to describe it.

“Yes with such a big crowd here we would have loved a win and goals, but from a changing room point of view it’s important that we addressed the two previous games where we haven’t picked up any points.”

Kearney spoke about his reasons to name an attacking line-up as Jamie Glackin, Evan McLaughlin, Conor McKendry and Matthew Shevlin all started the contest.

“Normally we’ve flirted with one of the four behind Matthew Shevlin who has been on the bench,” he added.

“A few times in pre-season we flipped it and threw all four on just to have a look at how it would go.

“Again today because we were at home and because we wanted to go on the front foot we decided to go with Evan, Glacks, Lee and Conor.

“They are right up there as four of our most creative players, but the margins are small in relation to getting that one chance and sadly it wasn’t to be.

“The business that we’re in I’m unapologetic about how it panned out because we went really attacking to go and hunt the game, but our experience so far of these games is that they have been ultra cagey, and today was something similar.”

The game was delayed midway through the second-half due to a head injury suffered by Matthew Shevlin.

However, Kearney was full of praise for how the striker managed to compete despite some evidential war wounds.

“Matthew had to get five staples in his head,” Kearney explained.

“As a few would say and him as well there’s not a huge amount in there so I don’t think there’s been a huge amount of damage!

“No listen it’s a sore one and to be fair to him there was never an issue of him coming off.

“When the Terry Butcher bandage came off late in the game you were worried that blood would start dripping then you’re into carnage so we just flipped it then, but thankfully he’s fine.

“He was throwing himself into aerial challenges again after it happened and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

“He has been outstanding for us this season.”