SuperCupNI Round-Up

COLERAINE have completed three matches in the SuperCupNI tournament to date and here is a progress of how they are getting on…

The Bannsiders are competing in the Minor Section and were grouped alongside Glenavon, Kilmarnock and Portstewart.

Here is a recap of their three SuperCupNI matches to date as they play Loughgall in the semi-final of the Bowl tomorrow morning in Clough (KO 11am).

Match One vs Glenavon:

Coleraine started the game brightly and looked strong in possession without managing to trouble the Glenavon keeper. Glenavon came back and put Coleraine under pressure with a series of corners. Halfway through the first half, the Coleraine keeper, Bustard, was beaten in the air by Glenavon attacker to a looped high ball making it 1-0. The lead was doubled just before the half time whistle when a corner on the left resulted in the ball breaking to the far post where it was dispatched comfortably.

Coleraine made three substitutions at half time and the changes brought an increased intensity to the game. Conway had a fine effort saved early at the start of the second-half and a cross from Maguire also resulted in a fine effort again by Conway. Coleraine had a strong shout for a penalty that was waved away by the referee soon afterwards much to the dismay of the home support.

Coleraine conceded a couple of later goals making it 4-0. Late in the game some good work by Wilson in the middle released Corkish who slipped the ball past the keeper but it rolled agonisingly past the far post. A tough introduction to SuperCup for the lads.

Score: Glenavon 4-0 Coleraine

Match Two vs Kilmarnock:

The match started evenly with both teams playing some tidy football without really creating any chances. Despite a fairly even first-half Coleraine found themselves 2-0 down at half time.

After a sluggish start to the 2nd half Coleraine found themselves three down with 20 minutes to play.

The boys in blue however found a spark of energy following a number of substitutions. A swift attack saw Walker latch onto a breaking ball and he was then pulled down in the box. Wilson stepped up and slotted the ball calmly into the bottom corner to make it 3-1.

Coleraine sensed that they had a chance and continued to press the Kilmarnock midfield and defence. A Coleraine corner then wasn’t cleared and the lively Wilson pounced to narrow the margin to 3-2. The Coleraine support were vocal and encouraged their boys to continue to attack, and attack they did forcing another corner. Kearney put in a fine delivery that could only be parried away by the keeper, Henry was alert to it and smashed a volley into the roof of the net to make it 3-3.

A fantastic effort by all of the l;ads creating SuperCup memories that will last a lifetime.

Score: Coleraine 3-3 Kilmarnock

Match Three vs Portstewart

On a blustery day, Coleraine and Portstewart fought out a tough final group match.

There was very little difference between the teams in the first half which ended 0-0.

Coleraine started the second-half in a more positive manner. 10 minutes after the interval, Wilson showed some neat footwork to create the space to make a cross to the back post. Devine drifted off the last man and expertly headed into the net to put Coleraine one up.

A late goal from Portstewart made it honours even at the end.

Score: Coleraine 1-1 Portstewart