Honours even as McAree still searches for first win as Coleraine boss

The first meeting of the season between Newry City and Coleraine ended in a 1-1 draw at the Showgrounds.

Declan Carville gave the home side the lead in the first-half before Aaron Burns levelled for Coleraine as the sides enjoyed a share of the spoils in their first meeting since 2011.

Coleraine almost grabbed the lead in the opening minutes. Ian Parkhill capitalised on Andy Coleman’s poor clearance before crossing to Stephen Lowry who struck the base of the post with a volley.

The Bannsiders could have grabbed the lead on 15 minutes as Aaron Burns’ header drifted narrowly over the crossbar.

Against the run of play Newry found themselves ahead on 19 minutesas Declan Carville climbed highest to nod home Mark Hughes’ delivery from a set piece.

The home side had an appeal for a penalty waved away during the first-half as Ciaron Harkin looked to have controlled the ball with his arm inside the area.

Coleraine looked for their leveller before the interval as Parkhill ran in behind but the winger dragged his shot across goal.

Darren Mullen’s men held onto their lead at the break as Coleraine looked to have no answer for the home side’s resolute defending.

The opening chance of the second-half fell to the visitors as Darren McCauley’s searching cross fell to Jamie McGonigle who failed to find his feet. Ian Parkhill lunged in to the back post in an attempt to convert but he failed to get any touch on the ball.

Moments later Darren McCauley’s effort glanced off the crossbar as Rodeny McAree’s side searched for their equaliser.

The Bannsiders pressure paid off as they grabbed an equaliser on 57 minutes. A cross field pass from the lively Parkhill evaded the Newry defence and Aaron Burns made no mistake in converting from close range.

Coleraine could have went ahead on 64 minutes as McGonigle ran clear but his effort was saved by Coleman after Newry defender John Boyle showed great strength in narrowing the path to goal.

Newry responded well and had a chance of their own as Stephen Hughes beat his man before firing at Chris Johns. The Mourne men threatened almost instantly as Stefan Lavery forced a quality save from Chris Johns.

Coleraine looked to have went ahead midway through the second-half as McCauley’s dangerous ball found Lowry who forced the ball towards goal but the effort was hooed clear.

Newry turned defence into attack as a long ball over the top put Carville through on goal but the striker’s effort sailed wide.

The home side looked to have scored with 10 minutes to go. Dara Noonan’s header from a corner hit the crossbar with Darren McCauley looking to clear from danger. His goal line clearance hit a Newry attacker before crashing back off the bar and cleared to safety.

Coleraine searched for a winner as McLaughlin and Lowry threatened only to be denied by some expert goalkeeping from Andy Coleman.

Second-half substitute Conall Delaney and Stephen Hughes had chances for the home side but the pair failed to find the target.

As the game played to a close it were honours even between the sides with new Coleraine boss Rodney McAree still searching for his first win as Coleraine manager.

NEWRY CITY FC: Coleman, King (Delaney ‘86), Noonan, Boyle, McCann, Walker, Carville, S.Hughes, M. Hughes (c), Lavery, Montgomery

SUBS NOT USED: Maguire, McCabe, Mullen, Johnston, Tegart, McArdle

COLERAINE FC: Johns, Harkin, Mullan, McCauley, Lowry, Crown, Burns, O’Donnell (c), Parkhill (McLaughlin ‘78), McGonigle, Canning

SUBS NOT USED: Doherty, Douglas, McConaghie, Gawne, Owen