Coleraine prove too strong for Warrenpoint Town

By Aaron O'Neill

The opening day of the 2018/19 Danske Bank Premiership campaign looked as if it was going to be tough for Oran Kearney’s Coleraine. A mixture of injuries and suspensions meant the Bannsiders had a total of 10 absentees from the match day squad.

This was to have no bearing on the game as goals from Ian Parkhill, Stephen Lowry and Eoin Bradley secured all 3 points for the Bannsiders.

Warrenpoint Town almost grabbed the lead in the opening minutes. Coleraine failed to deal with a dangerous corner and Stephen Lowry was forced to clear one off the line.

The opening chance for the home side fell to Darren McCauley on 21 minutes but his strike was easily held by Jonny Parr.

A great move from Warrenpoint almost paid off before the half-hour mark as Eamon Scannell’s driven cross forced Gareth McConaghie to deflect the ball behind for a corner.

Warrenpoint had a chance on the counter attack shortly after, Francis McCaffrey raced through on goal and decided to square the ball across the box but Chris Johns quelled the danger.

Ian Parkhill’s jinking run created a chance for Coleraine on 35 minutes. His cross found McCauley at the back post but his spectacular overhead kick sailed wide.

Moments later, Coleraine grabbed the lead. Josh Carson’s low cross found Lowry in the box but his effort was saved by Parr before Ian Parkhill fired home the rebound.

The Bannsiders doubled their lead before the interval as Stephen Lowry nicked the ball from the clutches of Parr using some neat footwork to finish from close range.

Coleraine made it 3-0 on 46 minutes. Josh Carson’s long ball led to a goalkeeping blunder from Parr and Eoin Bradley pounced to roll the ball into the empty net.

Darren McCauley had the ball in the net for Coleraine moments later but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Stephen McDonnell’s men looked all but out of it but almost pulled one back via Ciaran O’Connor but the striker failed to hit the target.

O’Connor went close once again on 68 minutes as he wrong footed his man before getting a shot away but the Coleraine defence stood strong and averted the danger.

The Point were unlucky not to pull one back on 71 minutes. A dangerous corner forced Chris Johns to parry the ball which ricocheted off the cross bar before being cleared to safety.

Despite Coleraine’s lead, Warrenpoint had their chances as Alan O’Sullivan’s effort crashed off the post on 71 minutes before Chris Johns made a spectacular save to deny the rebound with Stephen Lowry eventually clearing the danger.

Coleraine ran out comfortable victors in the end and started the new Danske Bank Premiership season in the best possible way.

COLERAINE FC: Johns, Moore, Harkin, McCauley, Lowry, Gawne (Whiteside ‘84), Bradley, Carson, Crown, McConaghie, Parkhill (Brennan ‘90)

Subs not used: Doherty, McClelland, Owens

WARRENPOINT TOWN: Parr, Foster (Reilly ’45), Hughes, Moan, McGrandles (Watters ‘45), O’Sullivan, McCafferty, Lynch (Brennan ‘62), Scannell, O’Connor, Wallace

Subs not used: Turker, Brennan, Roohi, Halpenny

Referee: Lee Tavinde