Glentoran 'pay the penalty' in defeat to Coleraine

The Bannsiders were awarded three penalties in the game as Eoin Bradley proved the only man to convert for the home side before Ben Doherty sealed the three points late on.

The opening chance fell to the visitors inside the opening five minutes. A searching ball forward released Curtis Allen after Coleraine defender Mark Edgar misjudged his clearance. The striker ran into the area before cutting onto his favoured left foot but his effort trickled wide of the far post.

Chris Gallagher threatened for Glentoran before Coleraine responded. Jamie McGonigle latched onto Gareth McConaghie’s long ball before Calum Birney made a vital interception. The striker retrieved the ball before teeing up Dean Shiels but his effort went wide.

With little to report, Glentoran almost broke the deadlock on 34 minutes. Coleraine failed to clear as Curtis Allen robbed the defender before smashing the ball into the near post but Chris Johns pulled off a great save to keep the scores level at 0-0.

At half time the scores remained deadlocked however the visitors would have felt slightly aggrieved that they failed to find the net as it was Glentoran who enjoyed the better of the chances.

The Bannsiders almost made an immaculate start to the second half. Ben Doherty was hauled down on the edge of the area. From the resulting free kick Dean Shiels forced an excellent save from Dwayne Nelson.

Moments later, the home side were awarded a penalty. Dean Shiels’ shot was flicked towards goal by Jamie McGonigle and Calum Birney blatantly palmed the ball away from goal.

Referee Keith Kennedy was quick to produce the red card to the central defender but the Bannsiders failed to capitalise as McGonigle fired his penalty over the crossbar.

Coleraine were awarded a second penalty on 59 minutes. Aaron Burns made a surging run from midfield before slipping the ball into Jamie Glackin who was wiped out by Dwayne Nelson.

Up stepped Dean Shiels and it was a case of déjà vu as the midfielder also blazed high over the crossbar.

Coleraine opted for change as Eoin Bradley was introduced up front. Immediately the striker made his mark as he won a third penalty of the match as he was adjudged to have been fouled by Gavin Peers inside the box.

A melee occurred inside the box in the aftermath as Connor Pepper and Stephen O’Donnell were given a yellow card apiece.

After a short delay, Coleraine eventually grabbed the lead as Eoin Bradley blazed his penalty into the back of the net on 67 minutes.

Bradley had a further chance to extend the home side’s lead but no avail. Ben Doherty tried his luck from a set piece which drifted over the crossbar.

Coleraine did find the net with minutes remaining as Ben Doherty fired home his third goal of the season since joining from Derry City.

Initially, Dean Shiels made a jinking run inside the box before squaring to James McLaughlin. The striker watched on as his effort was saved by Nelson before Ben Doherty slammed home the follow up.

In the end, Coleraine held on for the win in what proved to be a game of two halves at The Showgrounds.

COLERAINE FC: Johns, Lowry, McConaghie, Burns (Bradley ‘61), O’Donnell (c), McGonigle (McLaughlin ‘76), Canning, Doherty, Edgar, Glackin (Burke ’88), Shiels

Subs not used: M. Doherty, Mullan, Parkhill, King

GLENTORAN FC: Nelson, Kane (c), Peers, Birney, Gallagher (McCarthy ‘73), Herron (Gordon ‘88), Allen, McDaid, Kerr, Pepper, Gwiazda

Subs not used: Garrett, McMahon, Henderson, McLaughlin

Referee: Keith Kenned

• Coleraine
• glentoran