“New script” for players – OK

COLERAINE boss Oran Kearney insists a strong mentality is vitally important for his squad as they host Portadown tomorrow afternoon (KO 3pm)…

Danske Bank Premiership

Overview:

The Bannsiders recorded all three points last weekend as a goal in each half from Matthew Shevlin sealed a 2-0 success against Warrenpoint Town at The Showgrounds. That result means Oran Kearney’s men currently occupy third spot in the table ahead of this round of fixtures, which will see the Stripes having played all teams once this campaign.

Portadown were in action on Tuesday night as a solitary strike from Lee Bonis was enough to beat Ballinamallard in the third round of the BetMcLean League Cup. That result was on the back of a 2-2 draw against Glentoran last weekend as Bonis once again was on the score sheet as the Mid Ulster side earned a share of the spoils in east Belfast. The Ports are currently 11th spot in the table and have played nine games so far this campaign. Matthew Tipton was busy adding to his panel in the summer as Jethren Barr, Harry Anderson, Harry Doherty, Oran Jackson, Sammie McLeod and Michael Ruddy all made the switch to Shamrock Park.

Previous meetings:

The two sides met three times last season with Coleraine registering two victories and the other fixture ending in a draw.

In October last year, Coleraine would leave Shamrock Park with all three points as Ben Doherty bagged in the first half after his penalty was saved, before Jamie Glackin and James McLaughlin got on the score sheet after the break. The hosts would end the contest with ten men after Lee Bonis was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

In February, Adam Salley’s thunderbolt gave Portadown a share of the spoils at The Showgrounds. After a goalless first-half, the breakthrough arrived on 67 minutes as substitute Stewart Nixon scored with his second touch after coming on as he rifled the ball into the net for his fourth goal of the season. However, that lead was short lived as Portadown bagged an equaliser as Chris Lavery teed up Salley who sent a powerful strike into the top corner. There would be late drama as Salley was dismissed for a tackle on Lyndon Kane but the Bannsiders failed to make their numerical advantage count as they were held to a draw.

The final fixture was in March as Coleraine would once again play host to Matthew Tipton’s troops. The game would be the story of two penalties as Ben Doherty comfortably dispatched in each half as the Bannsiders would record a 2-0 success.

Manager’s Thoughts:

“We don’t look at the league table,” Kearney said.

“The worst thing is that you can go soft and buy into what everybody will say – that it’s only Warrenpoint or Portadown.

“You walk into a changing room believing it’s only Warrenpoint or only a Portadown next week you’re screwed and it’s as simple as that.

“The mentality is so important and we’ll aim to have another really good week’s training and that we go out and get another good performance on Saturday.

“In ten years managing in this league I’ve never had a game where a team has come up and just rolled over, so we’ve got to earn it.

“We’ll go out next week with a new script and it’s important that we go and earn the three points.”

Officials:

The match referee will be Shane Andrews.

The assistant referees are Adam Jeffrey and Kristian Hanna.

Tim Marshall has been allocated as the fourth official.

Sponsors:

The match sponsor is RiverRidge.

Chris Gray and Dave McNaughton have kindly agreed to sponsor the match ball.

The mascots tomorrow afternoon are Josh Sweeney, Oliver Fillis and Rebekah Blair and they will have the honour of leading out the team.

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.

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

If you are not feeling yourself tomorrow 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).