Coleraine keep pressure on Crues at top of table thanks to Carson strike
Point fall to Bannsiders at the Showgrounds
By Aaron O'Neill at the Showgrounds
Coleraine 1 Warrenpoint 0
Coleraine remain hot on the heels of Crusaders as the pair battle it out for top spot in the Danske Bank Premiership.
Josh Carson’s effort ensured all three points for the Bannsiders while a goal from Jamie Glackin and a brace from Jordan Owens helped Crusaders secure victory over Ballymena United. The results mean it’s as you were at the top of the table with only two points between the sides.
Both sides cancelled each other out in the opening 10 minutes at the Showgrounds however it was the visitors who could have gained the advantage shortly after.
Connor McMenamin’s snap shot from a corner on 12 minutes was deflected behind by his own team mate – a massive let off for Oran Kearney’s side.
Coleraine gained their composure on 17 minutes and looked to have gone in front. Josh Carson’s flick on sent Jamie McGonigle through on goal but his effort hit the body of Jonny Parr.
Josh Carson went close soon after but his weak effort was easily saved by Parr.
Darren McCauley and Stephen O’Donnell had half chances for the Bannsiders midway through the first half but their efforts failed to find the target.
Seanna Foster had a chance for Matthew Tipton’s men on 35 minutes his surging run from midfield allowed him to muster a shot but it sailed high and wide of the target.
Oran Kearney’s side looked to have broken the deadlock on 41 minutes. Josh Carson’s cross fell to McGonigle but his left-footed drive whistled wide of the post.
Moments later Eoin Bradley had a golden chance as he evaded the offside trap before his shot was saved.
The Bannsiders were forced into a change earl in the second-half as Jamie McGonigle was withdrawn with a suspected hamstring injury. His replacement Aaron Burns had the ball in the net on 54 minutes but his effort was ruled out by offside.
Coleraine piled on the pressure in search of a go ahead goal. Carson had two chances in the same amount of minutes but he failed to find the net.
The persistence paid off and the Bannsiders were ahead just after the hour mark. Josh Carson’s in-swinging free-kick evaded everyone and found its way into the back of the net.
Lyndon Kane had a great chance to double the home side’s advantage on 71 minutes but his dinked effort was saved by Parr.
Warrenpoint almost responded via Sean Mackle but his shot from distance drifted wide of the post and into the side netting. Alan Davidson went close for Point minutes later forcing Chris Johns into a smart save.
As the full-time whistle sounded the Bannsiders held on for victory keeping the two points behind league leaders Crusaders at the sharp end of the Danske Bank Premiership.
COLERAINE FC: Johns, Kane, Harkin, McCauley, Smith (Lyons ’67), Bradley, Carson, McConaghie, O’Donnell, Traynor, McGonigle (Burns ’50)
SUBS: Mullan, Douglas, Parkhill
WARRENPOINT TOWN: Parr, Foster (Roohi ’67), Dane, Mackle, McMenamin (Davidson ’26), O’Sullivan, Forde, McKenna, Murray, Wallace, Reilly
SUBS: Moan, Watters, Turke