Coleraine weather the storm against Dungannon Swifts

By Aaron O’Neill

With only 2 surviving fixtures in the Danske Bank Premiership this weekend table toppers Coleraine entered Saturday’s clash with Dungannon Swifts hopeful of maintaining their 6 point cushion over the chasing pack.

Both sides struggled in the opening exchanges with the opening chance falling to Coleraine as Brad Lyons’ header failed to trouble Stuart Addis in the Dungannon goal.

Dougie Wilson went close moments later for Rodney McAree’s side as his free-kick drifted narrowly over the crossbar.

Oran Kearney’s men threatened again on the quarter hour mark. Darren McCauley’s pinpoint cross found Martin Smith inside the area but the midfielder’s speculative volley sailed wide.

Arguably the best chance of the first-half fell to the visitors and they will be feeling as though they should have gained the advantage. A neat ball sent Grant Hutchinson through on goal however the forward fired his effort straight at Chris Johns.

Brad Lyons looked to grab the go ahead goal for the home side midway through the first half but his shot from distance failed to find the target.

Oran Kearney’s side grabbed the advantage on 35 minutes as Darren McCauley’s low drive found the bottom corner from 25 yards. The midfielder latched onto Chris Hegarty’s clearance before firing his left footed effort beyond the clutches of Addis.

Rodney McAree would have felt slightly disappointed at half-time as his side where on top for large periods of the opening exchanges. However, the Bannsiders would have had no complaints at the interval.

Coleraine piled on the pressure at the start of the second-half as they looked to double their advantage at the start of the second-half as Darren McCauley’s shot was well blocked by the Dungannon defence.

The Bannsiders looked to have doubled their lead just after the hour mark. Jamie McGonigle raced through on goal with Josh Carson up in support but the chance was denied by a last ditch tackle from Dungannon defender David Armstrong.

Rodney McAree’s side rallied round and could have equalised on 68 minutes as Daniel Lafferty climbed highest and steered his header narrowly wide of the far post.

The visitors continued to press Oran Kearney’s side and should have been level via a Ryan Mayse strike, the substitute with a great strike which was well saved by Chris Johns.

Mayse threatened again on 78 minutes. The lively winger latching onto Burke’s cross before unleashing a rasping effort but once again Johns was on-hand to deny the visitors an equaliser.

The Bannsiders should have put the game to bed right at the death as both Parkhill and McCauley went close but to no avail.

The results sees Coleraine remain 6 points clear at the top of the table. Meanwhile, Crusaders move up to 2nd after their 3-2 victory over Warrenpoint Town.

COLERAINE FC: Johns, Mullan, Harkin, McCauley, Smith Carson, McConaghie, Lyons, O’Donnell, Traynor, McGonigle (Parkhill ’81)

UNUSED SUBS: Douglas, Ogilby, Whiteside, McCready

DUNGANNON SWIFTS: Addis, Hegarty (McMahon ’71), Wilson, Armstrong, Harpur, Teggart (Burke ‘56), O’Rourke, Lowe, Clucas, Hutchinson (Mayse ‘56), Lafferty

UNUSED SUBS: Coleman, Fitzpatrick

REFEREE: Steven Greg