MATTHEW Shevlin says he is hoping to maintain his recent good run of form after netting a deadly hat-trick in yesterday’s win against Dungannon Swifts…

The striker prodded home the opener just before the interval and then added two further strikes – including a penalty – after an own goal had regained the Bannsiders’ advantage following James Knowles’ equaliser.

The treble makes it 12 goals in all competitions this season for Shevlin and he confessed nobody else stood a chance to take the spot-kick, which secured his third hat-trick since arriving at The Showgrounds in January 2021.

“We knew coming into the game that it was going to be a difficult afternoon,” he said.

“We played Dungannon on the opening day of the season and we know they’re a quality team.

“They’ve also had some impressive results and sit 3rd or 4th in the table, so we knew it was going to be tough and we had to be on it today, and thankfully we were.

“I was on the penalties anyway, never mind having the chance to secure the hat-trick.

“I’ve had a few braces in there with missed chances to get the hat-trick.

“I was happy to get it today and my third hat-trick for Coleraine.

“A few pieces of banter have been written on the match ball but that’s part of being a team and we’ve shown that in the last few weeks through character and by sticking together.”

Shevlin endured a difficult 2023/24 campaign due to injury and he stated he is looking to make up for lost time ahead of Tuesday night’s clash at Crusaders.

He added: “I’m only one goal off what I got for the whole of last season already.

“Granted, I only played 25 games last season due to a few niggly injuries.

“I’m just hoping to push on for the rest of the season now.

“We want to win the League Cup this season, it’s a major trophy and the club has done well in the competition over the last few years.

“Crusaders stand in our way so we will try and beat them on Tuesday night.”