COLERAINE Reserves turned up the tempo in difficult conditions last night, securing a resounding 7-2 victory over Antrim Town Swifts in their fifth Division 7 league outing…
Despite the wet and windy weather, Coleraine came out with intent and purpose. Striker Alex Bachman-Williams wasted no time setting the tone, striking twice in the opening minutes to put the hosts in early control. Their clinical finishing proved to be the catalyst for what would become a dominant performance.
However, the first half wasn’t without its challenges. An unfortunate mistimed tackle saw Katie Miskimmon forced off early, disrupting Coleraine’s rhythm. Cameron Currie stepped in on the right flank, but the disruption allowed Antrim to claw one back, narrowing the score to 2-1 at half-time.
The second-half saw Coleraine return with renewed energy, dominating possession with sharp passing and fluid movement across the pitch. Their attacking pressure paid off when a late tackle in the box earned them a penalty. Bachman-Williams stepped up and slotted home confidently to complete their hat-trick. A Coleraine corner also glided into the box, brought down by Lindsay Norton and finished off by Rose Crocker in style.
Antrim showed resilience and netted a second via a well-timed through ball, but Coleraine responded in ruthless fashion. Bachman-Williams added another goal to their tally – bringing their total to four goals – while Norton continued the scoring spree with a composed finish, capitalising on a one-on-one situation to slot past the keeper.
There was still time for one final flourish. In the dying moments, Bachman-Williams capped their phenomenal performance with an audacious strike from distance, sailing the ball over the keeper and sealing a comprehensive 7-2 win.
The win was also made possible by the incredible work rate of the back line with Leah Pollock, Vanessa Somerville and Lucy Hollies clearing absolutely everything that came their way.
A big thank you goes to Antrim Town Swifts for making the trip down. We wish them all the best for the rest of the season.