Points to Prove

COLERAINE and Warrenpoint Town commence the first of two clashes this week at The Showgrounds tonight (KO 8pm)…

Danske Bank Premiership

Overview:

The Bannsiders failed to make it four successive wins in all competitions as they were beaten by Cliftonville last Saturday. A quick fire brace from Ryan Curran did the damage at Solitude as Coleraine left empty handed. Oran Kearney’s men remain in sixth spot in the table ahead of a busy run of fixtures across three competitions in the coming weeks.

Warrenpoint Town come into the fixture buoyed by last weekend’s 4-2 success against Carrick Rangers at Milltown. Barry Gray’s men cut the gap at the bottom of the table to two points as Fra McCaffrey (2), Greg Moorhouse and Alan O’Sullivan got on the scoresheet. The border club were busy in the January transfer window as Dylan Hand (Athlone Town), Calum Ferguson (Erie Commodores), Thomas Maguire (Cliftonville – permanent), Daniel McKenna (Athlone Town), Ciaran O’Connor (Glentoran – loan), Ray O’Sullivan (Athlone Town) and Adam Wixted (Athlone Town) all joined the club.

Previous meetings:

The two clubs met at the end of October at The Showgrounds as Coleraine netted once in each half to record maximum points. The Bannsiders would hit the front after just six minutes as a clever ball released the run of Matthew Shevlin who was clean through on goal. The striker – who beat the offside trap – had the vision to see the onrushing Conor Mitchell come off his line and he delicately lobbed the ball over the ‘Point stopper. On 24 minutes, Kearney’s men thought they had a second goal to celebrate as Lyndon Kane’s cross met Friel at the back post and the striker comfortably dispatched into the back of the net. The striker – who thought he was going to make it two goals in his last two games – would have his joy short lived as the lineman’s raised his flag for offside. The Stripes wouldn’t have to wait long to add to their tally after the break as Shevlin couldn’t miss for his second of the afternoon on 52 minutes. A great passage of football involving Friel and McKendry saw the winger crossing for the ex-Ballymena man who fired in his tenth goal of the campaign.

Last month, Coleraine would face Warrenpoint Town for the first time in the BetMcLean League Cup as the two sides met in the semi-final stage of the competition at The Showgrounds. The hosts wouldn’t have to wait long to take the lead as Matthew Shevlin lobbed Conor Mitchell, and just after Gavin Peers was dismissed for ‘Point, the Stripes would make their numerical advantage count before the interval as Conor McKendry found the bottom corner. Oran Kearney’s men would move further ahead as Shevlin netted after the interval and the striker would complete his hat-trick after Kealan Dillon pulled a goal back for the visitors. Coleraine would add two further strikes from James McLaughlin and Jamie Glackin to set-up back-to-back League Cup finals.

Manager’s Thoughts:

“We’ve played them a few times this season and it’s never easy, we’ve never had an easy game against them,” he said.

“When you play back to back games like that it makes it tough as well.

“Any three points in this league are hard to come by and you’ve got to be at your best.

“For us, we just can’t afford that lull at this level it’s simple – you get punished.”

Officials:

The match referee will be Ben McMaster.

The assistant referees are Paul Robinson and John Doherty.

Shane McGonigle has been allocated as the fourth official.

Sponsors:

The match sponsor is Carmichael Cars, Ballymoney.

Maurice Greer, Ernie Kennedy, Davy Boyle, Tate Boyle and William Anderson have kindly agreed to sponsor the match ball.

The mascot this evening is Aaliyah and she 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.

Warrenpoint Town 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).