A tale of two halves as Glentoran and Coleraine share the spoils
The sides drew 2-2 at the Oval on Saturday.
Glentoran and Coleraine enjoyed a share of the spoils at the Oval following the latest round of matches in the Danske Bank Premiership.
A goal from Curtis Allen and Peter McMahon’s goal of the season contender cancelled out Brad Lyons’ opener.
Coleraine snatched a point late on as second-half substitute Eoin Bradley headed home from close range.
Glentoran remained unchanged from the side which defeated Ards whilst the Bannsiders opted for 3 changes following their win over Cliftonville with Brad Lyons, Aaron Burns and Stephen O’Donnell coming in for Stephen Lowry, Eoin Bradley and Graham Crown.
It took until after the half hour mark before the first meaningful chance at the Oval. Josh Carson’s neat ball sent Jamie McGonigle through on goal with the Coleraine front man forcing Elliot Morris to make a save with an outstretched leg.
Glentoran responded on 39 minutes but John McGuigans rasping effort sailed over.
The Bannsiders grabbed the advantage moments later as Brad Lyons climbed highest to nod home Darren McCauley’s corner.
Ronnie McFall’s men looked for a response before the break, some intricate play from the Glentoran attackers carved an opening for McGuigan but he failed to find the target.
Both sides lacked creativity in the first-half in what was a rather dull affair in East Belfast as both sides cancelled each other out in the opening exchanges.
Coleraine found themselves ahead at the interval via Brad Lyons’ effort in a half that presented little by way of chances.
Ronnie McFall’s half-time team talk seemed to spark Glentoran into life as they grabbed an equaliser minutes after the restart. Dylan Davidson’s in swinging free-kick fell to Curtis Allen inside the area and the striker made no mistake with the finish from close range.
Moments later the Glens could have went ahead via John McGuigan as his header from Ross Redman’s delivery forced Chris John’s into a save in the Coleraine goal.
Glentoran mounted the pressure and their efforts were rewarded on 62 minutes. Peter McMahon was allowed time and space to run at the Coleraine defence and his thunderous effort flew into the top corner from 30 yards.
Coleraine had no answer to the unrelenting pressure from Glentoran and could have been further behind minutes later. Curtis Allen controlled well inside the area but failed to find the finish.
Oran Kearney’s men looked to have levelled proceedings on 72 minutes. Eoin Bradley rattled the crossbar from a free-kick after Brad Lyons was adjudged to have been fouled on the edge of the penalty area.
The Bannsiders could have been level minutes later via Stephen O’Donnell but the defender flicked his header narrowly wide of the post.
Coleraine rallied round and grab their equaliser on 89 minutes. A surging run from Darren McCauley opened up the space which allowed the winger to deliver the ball to the back post where Eoin Bradley was on hand to head home.
After a poor start at the Oval, both sides were involved in a frantic finish which resulted in a 2-2 draw in an action packed second-half.
GLENTORAN FC: Morris, Garrett, Kane (c) (Crowe, ‘77), Birney, McMahon, Allen, McGuigan, Davidson (Byrne, ‘77), Kerr, Pepper, Redman
Subs not used: Nelson, Gordon, Ferrin, McCarthy, O’Neill
COLERAINE FC: Johns, Mullan, Harkin, Lyons, McCauley, Carson (Parkhill, ‘81), McConaghie, Burns (Bradley, ‘45), O’Donnell (c), Traynor, McGonigle
Subs not used: Douglas, Crown, Doherty, Gawne
Referee: Ian McNab.