Slim Pickings

COLERAINE defender Aaron Traynor labelled yesterday’s win against Dungannon Swifts as “a good day” at The Showgrounds…

After suffering a frustrating afternoon at Carrick Rangers last time out, Kearney’s men responded to pocket all three points via headers from Matthew Shevlin and Cathair Friel.

With Coleraine having been in action during the week, Traynor was pleased to see the Bannsiders not show any sign of fatigue.

“We knew it was going to be tricky as we had a three game week,” he said.

“They are a well drilled side, play good football and hurt us at times.

“It was good to keep the back door shut and the two strikers on the score sheet.

“Overall, it was a good day.”

Coleraine registered their ninth clean sheet from their last ten fixtures in all competitions – much to Traynor’s satisfaction.

The full-back also outlined the importance of strikers finding the back of the net as the Bannsiders moved up to third in the Danske Bank Premiership table.

“I think all the defenders are shouting that statistic in the changing room,” he added.

“You have seen in the last few performances that it is a team effort and it’s paying dividends.

“We are cancelling teams out and restricting them to very few chances, so long may it continue.

“It is brilliant to see the strikers scoring.

“I think the two of them have worked their socks off and it’s the least they deserved.

“There is plenty of movement and there was plenty of balls into the box and on another day, we could have got a couple more.”

Traynor has labelled next Friday’s home clash against Larne as “a massive game” but hopes that the vocal support of our 12th man can help inspire the Bannsiders to all three points.

“It is a massive game,” he reflected.

“It is good to have home games and there was a big crowd here today and it is great to give them a win.

“I think it’s our fifth clean sheet out of five at The Showgrounds.

“We know Larne will be tough, they beat us earlier in the season so it’s up to us to step up and turn them over.

“The fans play a massive part.

“At 1-0 it was a little bit jittery but you could see in the second-half that we managed to spring a few passes together and the fans got louder and louder.

“If they keep coming out in their numbers it is only going to help us.”