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COLERAINE boss Oran Kearney admits he has been impressed by Cliftonville’s recruitment this summer as the two sides face each other at Solitude this evening (KO 7:45pm)…

Danske Bank Premiership

Overview:

The Bannsiders go in search of their first three points of the season after Friday night’s defeat to Larne at Inver Park. Oran Kearney’s side had a 2-1 lead going into the last twenty minutes of the game but old boys Ben Doherty and David McDaid would come back to haunt their former club as Larne rallied to win 4-2.

Cliftonville made a winning start to their campaign as they came from behind to secure a 2-1 win against Carrick Rangers at Solitude. The Reds had fallen behind to Lloyd Anderson’s opener but a brace of headers from defender Jamie Harney meant Cliftonville would pocket all three points. Paddy McLaughlin has been busy adding to his panel in the summer as Jonny Addis, Jamie McDonagh, Chris Gallagher and Luke McNicholas have all made the switch to North Belfast.

Previous meetings:

The two sides met four times in the Danske Bank Premiership last season with Coleraine winning twice, one defeat and one draw.

The first contest would be the Bannsiders’ last match in 2020 as James McLaughlin came off the bench to net a deadly brace against the Reds.

In January, Coleraine would recover from a goal behind to lead 2-1 at The Showgrounds through goals from Aaron Traynor and James McLaughlin. Just when it looked like Oran Kearney’s men had done enough to earn all three points, Cliftonville bagged a late equaliser through Paul O’Neill.

A month later, Cliftonville would being an end to the Stripes’ 17 match unbeaten run as Jamie Harney’s first half header gave Paddy McLaughlin’s the lead, before Paul O’Neill added a second after the break. The visitors would half the deficit through Ben Doherty’s penalty but their efforts would come up short after Eoin Bradley’s dismissal.

The final meeting would be in May as Cliftonville were the visitors to the Ballycastle Road in the first post split fixture. The game would be a tale of two penalties as Ben Doherty netted from the spot in both halves, with Reds stopper Aaron McCarey also dismissed.

Manager’s Thoughts:

“It’s another away game and with the pitch being laid we’ll be on our travels for a few games,” Kearney said.

“It’s always a tough game there and I know they have put down a new surface in the summer and by all accounts it’s in great shape as well.

“Cliftonville have recruited well and throughout the league it has been the same.

“They will all bring their own troubles and I’m sure Tuesday night will be no different.”

Officials:

The match referee will be Steven Gregg.

The assistant referees are Ryan Kelsey and Gavin Hegarty.

Tony Clarke has been allocated as the fourth official.

Admission:

Admission is via a cash gate with the price set at £12 adults and £8 concessions.

If you are not feeling yourself this evening 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).