Young Stripes beaten by Glentoran

IN their final group game, Coleraine faced Glentoran at Broughshane, knowing a win could send them through to the SupercupNI semi finals…

In what turned out to be a physical affair, with a number of controversial refereeing decisions, the Bannsiders were edged out, losing 2-1 to the Belfast side.

Coleraine got off to a terrible start, allowing a Glentoran winger to fire home with a low shot after only 90 seconds. The Stripes didn’t drop their heads and took the game to the Glens. Danny Smyth was dominant in midfield, causing all sorts of trouble for the opposition.

After 10 minutes he was brought down by the last defender, but it went unpunished. Danny then hit the bar with a great effort in the 14th minute and in the next attack he danced past five defenders and placed the ball into the corner of the net to level the game. A better individual goal you will not see this week.

The Glens were then awarded what looked like a very soft penalty which was dispatched past a diving Harvey McLean in goal.

In the second half, Coleraine made a number of changes and pressed hard for an equaliser and it looked like they had levelled the match when Travis slotted home from close range but it was controversially ruled out by the referee for offside.

Danny was again a threat and a only good save from the Glentoran keeper prevented him from scoring again. Harvey McLean, the Coleraine No 1, continued to impress and produced another great display to keep the Glens at bay with a couple of brilliant saves.

Despite being reduced to ten men with 10 minutes to go, the Bannsiders battled hard in search of an equaliser but it wasn’t to be and by the end of the game the young stripes were out on their feet. They all deserve tremendous credit for their battling spirit and never say die attitude. It was a subdued journey back home but a swim in the Atlantic Ocean at Portstewart Strand revived some tired legs and the boys are looking forward to today’s game against Larne.