Rolling from one big game to another

COLERAINE boss Oran Kearney admits he has never had an easy game against Glenavon as the Lurgan Blues visit The Showgrounds this evening (KO 7:45pm)…

Danske Bank Premiership

Overview:

The Bannsiders moved up to third in the league standings on Monday night as Eoin Bradley and Josh Carson got on the scoresheet in a 2-0 win against Crusaders at Seaview. The fixture is only the second time Oran Kearney’s men will have home advantage this campaign as over 3,000 fans cheered us on in the derby success against Ballymena United. There is a reduced Danske Bank Premiership fixture schedule this weekend due to international call-ups.

Glenavon have lost their last two league games against Glentoran and Larne, with their sole victory coming away to Warrenpoint Town. The Lurgan Blues have played seven games so far this campaign and currently sit 8th in the table. Gary Hamilton was busy adding to his squad as Declan Brown, Mark Haughey, Mark Stafford, Daniel Wallace, Matthew Snoddy and Andrew Waterworth all made moves to Mourneview Park.

Previous meetings:

There was very little to choose between the two clubs last season as all three encounters ended in draws.

The first was back in November as Coleraine led 2-0 and 4-2 at stages of the game but Glenavon dug deep to earn a 4-4 draw against the Bannsiders, who had Gareth McConaghie sent off after less than 15 minutes played and Ben Doherty would go home with the match ball after netting a hat trick.

In March this year, Coleraine would be on their way to Lurgan once again and it would be the hosts who would make the breakthrough as Matthew Fitzpatrick pounced from close range. However, the Stripes ended the match strongly and equalised when Stephen Lowry’s effort deflected into the net, with Glenavon ‘keeper Craig Hyland producing several top class saves to thwart Coleraine from nicking all three points.

The final contest was played at the Coleraine Showgrounds and the first-half was a subdued affair with no real chances of note. However, the post would deny the Bannsiders on two occasions as Eoin Bradley and Stewart Nixon both struck the upright, with Owen Taylor hitting inches wide at the other end as the game finished scoreless.

Manager’s Thoughts:

“We’ve had three or four good performances on the bounce, and I know it’s an old cliché, but when we perform we give ourselves a good chance of winning the game,” Kearney said.

“Glenavon are tough and you just roll from one tough encounter to another in this league.

“Gary has got them going well and they’ve picked up a couple of big results this season.

“It is always tough home and away against them so we know what to expect.”

Officials:

The match referee will be Lee Tavinder.

The assistant referees are John Doherty and Kristian Hanna.

Steven Gregg has been allocated as the fourth official.

Sponsors:

The match sponsor is McKendry Fabrications.

Jonny Keys and Simon McIlreavy have kindly sponsored the match ball.

Tonight’s mascot is Isaac Boyd and we hope he enjoys his evening leading out his boyhood heroes.

The Man of the Match award will be sponsored by Holley Optometrists.

Admission:

Season tickets are valid for the fixture with full information regarding card collection HERE.

Non-season ticket holders will require matchday tickets for the fixture which can be bought online HERE.

Glenavon 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).