Road to the Final

Warrenpoint Town

Road to the Final: Warrenpoint Town

COLERAINE would reach back-to-back League Cup finals after hitting six goals in a home demolition at The Showgrounds…

Date:

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Result:

Coleraine 6-1 Warrenpoint Town

Goals – Shevlin (‘5 mins, ’56 mins & ’61 mins), McKendry (’45+1 mins), McLaughlin (’79 mins), Glackin (’86 mins); Dillon (’59 mins)

Report:

COLERAINE made it back-to-back BetMcLean League Cup finals following a 6-1 win against Warrenpoint Town at The Showgrounds.

The Stripes made one change to their starting line-up as Aaron Traynor returned to the back four following suspension and Coleraine showed their attacking intent early doors as Conor McKendry’s clever through ball found the run of Matthew Shevlin. The striker was able to take a first touch and turn but he couldn’t steer his effort on target.

However, the same pair would get it right on six minutes as Coleraine took the lead. Another ball over the top of the Warrenpoibnt defence by McKendry was instinctively hit into the back of the net by Shevlin.

The hosts would enjoy plenty of possession in the first-half as Barry Gray’s side looked happy to sit deep and try and hit on the counter attack. That plan almost paid dividends on 36 minutes as a strong run and cross into the box by Stuart Hutchinson teed up Thomas Maguire but his effort sailed over the crossbar.

The ‘Point would see their task become even tougher as they were reduced to ten men on 43 minutes as Gavin Peers was dismissed for a second bookable offence after bringing down Eoin Bradley. That would prove to be a turning point as the Bannsiders made their numerical advantage count on the stroke of half-time as McKendry found the bottom corner to double the lead.

Coleraine started the second-half like they ended the first and they almost made it 3-0 on 47 minutes as McKendry’s cross was headed wide by Bradley. However, the third goal duly arrived on 56 minute as the lively McKendry crossed the ball into the back post and Shevlin was in right place at the right time to expertly cushion his header into the net.

Just after Glackin went close to adding a fourth, the travelling support had a goal to celebrate of their own on 59 minutes. A ball into the box by Alan O’Sullivan wasn’t cleared by the Coleraine defence and ‘Point midfielder Kealan Dillon made them pay with an arrowed finish into the bottom corner.

Any prospects of mounting a comeback would be ended less than two minutes later as Shevlin was upended inside the box by Luke Gallagher. The ball was grabbed by Shevlin who made no mistake from 12 yards for his first hat-trick in senior football and his sixth goal in this season’s BetMcLean League Cup.

Oran Kearney was able to utilise his bench and it would be two arrivals to the pitch that would help to add to his side’s tally. A lovely cushioned header by Cathair Friel released James McLaughlin inside the box and the predatory striker made no mistake to make it a welcome return from injury.

The holders were able to add further gloss to the scoreline with the goal of the night on 86 minutes. A neat passage of play involving Ronan Wilson and Kane presented the ball to Glackin and he sent a curling effort beyond Mitchell and into the back of the net from 25 yards.

A job well done for Coleraine who will defend their crown against Cliftonville in a date to be confirmed in the New Year.

Line-ups:

COLERAINE: Deane, Kane, Brown, McKendry (Jarvis ‘63 mins), Lowry (Wilson ‘64 mins), Bradley (Friel ‘72 mins), Carson (McLaughlin ‘72 mins), O’Donnell, Glackin, Traynor, Shevlin (Kelly ‘72 mins).

Subs Not Used: Henderson (GK), Mullan.

WARRENPOINT TOWN: Mitchell, Deasy, Ball, Peers, Dillon, O’Sullivan (Mullen ‘77 mins), Gallagher, Wade Slater (Moorhouse ‘62 mins), Maguire, Hutchinson (Quinn ‘77 mins), Byrne.

Subs Not Used: Coleman (GK), McVeigh, Masterson, Shotayo.

Referee:

Lee Tavinder

Highlights:

HERE