Show Expected

A bumper crowd is expected at The Showgrounds tomorrow afternoon as Coleraine hold home advantage against Linfield (KO 3pm)…

Danske Bank Premiership

Overview:

Coleraine slipped to fourth in the Danske Bank Premiership standings after last weekend’s scoreless draw against Cliftonville at The Showgrounds. The Bannsiders would see Matthew Shevlin having a first-half effort well saved before Eoin Bradley’s clever lob came back off the crossbar. However, the Stripes would have a scare at the other end as Jonny Addis’ strike was cleared off the line by Lyndon Kane and somehow Gareth Deane was in the right place at the right time to prevent the defender’s rebound from finding the back of the net. Coleraine were scheduled to be in action on Tuesday night against Glentoran but the game was postponed in light of the NIFL’s COVID case policy.

Linfield have won their last three Premiership contests – including Tuesday’s night 2-0 success against Carrick Rangers. Two late goals from Chris Shields (pen) and Kirk Millar sealed the victory which means David Healy’s men remain second in the Danske Bank Premiership.The Blues are also in the semi-final of the County Antrim Shield and will face Oxford Sunnyside in the first round of this year’s Irish Cup.

Previous meetings:

The two clubs met in September and the Bannsiders would provide the greater attacking threat in the first-half as Conor McKendry, Jamie Glackin and Aaron Traynor all threatened the Linfield goal. However, David Healy’s men would make the breakthrough on 64 minutes as Stephen Fallon picked up possession and cleverly picked out the run of Christy Manzinga. The striker would make no mistake from close range as he dinked the ball over the advancing Gareth Deane. Coleraine brought on Cathair Friel and he would turn goal provider on 85 minutes. The Limavady man would get the ball from Glackin’s flick on and squared to McKendry who unleashed an unstoppable effort into the top corner. Linfield thought they had bagged a late winner on 89 minutes as two substitutes would combine for the final opportunity of the contest. A clever reverse pass by Jordan Stewart released Billy Chadwick but he blazed wide with the goal at his mercy.

Officials:

The match referee will be Tim Marshall.

The assistant referees are Andrew Nethery and Jamie Carnduff.

Shane Andrews has been allocated as the fourth official.

Sponsors:

The match sponsor is TBF Thompson.

Uel Kirkpatrick has kindly agreed to sponsor the match ball.

The mascots tomorrow afternoon will be Georgia, Tommy and Zak and they 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.

Linfield 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).