Coleraine close gap on Crusaders with derby win over Ballymena
Good day for Bannsiders in hunt for Danske Bank Premiership title
By Aaron O’Neill
Coleraine enjoyed a derby day victory over neighbours Ballymena to keep them very much in the hunt for the Gibson Cup.
Saturday’s victory means the Bannsiders are only two points behind Crusaders after Stephen Baxter’s men suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Cliftonville.
After a cagey start at the Ballymena Showgrounds it was the home side that looked to have broken the deadlock shortly after the quarter hour mark.
A quick counter-attack sent Conor McCloskey through on goal but the midfielder was denied by a quality save from Chris Johns.
United threatened soon after but some last ditch defending from Stephen O’Donnell prevented a certain goal to keep the scores level.
Coleraine regrouped and grabbed the advantage on 27 minutes. Eoin Bradley reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the box and rifled home from close range.
The Bannsiders could have doubled their lead five minutes later. A great run from Darren McCauley allowed him to cut inside from the left wing and unleash a shot from 20 yards which came crashing off the underside of the crossbar.
With the half-time interval looming the Bannsiders looked worthy of their slender advantage whilst it looked like it was going to be another hard day at the office for the Sky Blues.
Oran Kearney’s half-time message had a profound impact on the visitors as they doubled their lead just short of the hour mark.
The influential McCauley picked up the ball outside the area before firing past the helpless Glendinning.
United responded immediately and looked to have reduced the deficit moments later. A searching cross found Kyle Owens at the far post but his header was punched off the line by Johns.
On 62 minutes Coleraine looked to have made it three as McCauley laid the ball off to Brad Lyons – who controlled well – before curling is effort wide of the post from the edge of the area.
David Jeffrey’s men searched for an in-road into the game and could have pulled one back on 73 minutes. Conor McCloskey had a chance for the home side but his right-footed effort sailed over the crossbar.
Moments later United were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous area. Up stepped set-piece specialist Tony Kane but his curling effort drifted wide.
Coleraine introduced Ian Parkhill on 80 minutes and the substitute almost had an immediate impact. The forward raced through on goal after a neat through ball from Lyndon Kane but his effort was saved by Glendinning.
As the game fizzled out the Braidmen had no answer for the Bannsiders. The result means Coleraine keep the pressure on Crusaders as the gap is narrowed down to two points at the top of the Danske Bank Premiership.
BALLYMENA UNITED: Glendinning, Kane, Owens, McKinney (Faulkner ’89), McCloskey, Burns (Weir ’45), Shevlin, Ervin, McCullough, Millar, Quigley (McCaffrey ’87)
SUBS NOT USED: McDermott, Balmer
COLERAINE FC: Johns, Kane, Harkin, McCauley, Bradley (Parkhill ’80), Carson, McConaghie, Lyons, O’Donnell, Traynor, McGonigle (Burns ’67)
SUBS NOT USED: Mullan, Douglas, Smith