Coleraine leave it late against Ballyclare Comrades

By Aaron O'Neill

Coleraine progress through to the third round of the BetMcLean.com League Cup after Tuesday night’s narrow 2-1 victory over Ballyclare Comrades.

In what proved a difficult night for the Bannsiders, the home side endured a scare early on as the visitors grabbed the lead via Gary Donnelly.

The Danske Bank Premiership side showed their class to book their spot in the draw for the next round as goals from Jamie McGonigle and Ian Parkhill secured the comeback win for Oran Kearney’s side.

Ballyclare Comrades started the brighter in damp conditions at the Showgrounds. Garry Donnelly looked tricky up top and was unlucky not to put the visitors ahead.

Coleraine found themselves trailing early in the first-half as Gary Donnelly fired home from close range. The striker had his initial flicked header denied by Chris Johns before netting with the follow up.

Jamie Willighan had the ball in the back of the net but his effort was ruled out for offside.

The Bannsiders responded on 28 minutes as Jamie McGonigle’s shot found the back of the net after a goalkeeping blunder gifted the home side their equaliser.

The scores were level at one-a-piece with theBluefin Sport Championship side holding their own against top flight opposition.

After the restart Josh Carson went close for the home side however it was Brad Lyons who had the best chance of the second-half as his deflected shot crashed off the post.

The Bannsiders turned up the pace as a mazy run from Darren McCauley carved an opening but his curling shot drifted wide.

Ballyclare almost went ahead on 68 minutes. An in-swinging corner was met by Dean Youle at the back post but Josh Carson was on hand to clear off the line for the Bannsiders.

A neat move from Lyons and McGonigle teed up Bradley but his effort drifted over the crossbar.

Darren McCauley had a great chance for the home side moments later but his strong header was off target before Brad Lyons squandered a great opportunity when through on goal.

Just as the game looked to be edging towards extra-time second-half substitute Ian Parkhill kept his composure from outside the area and found the bottom corner with a neat finish to ensure Coleraine progress to the next round.

COLERAINE FC: Johns, Harkin (Bradley, ‘66), Lyons, McCauley, Lowry, Carson, Crown (Mullan, ‘76), McConaghie, O’Donnell (c), Traynor, McGonigle

SUBS NOT USED: Doherty (GK), Mullan, Douglas, Parkhill, Gawne

BALLYCLARE COMRADES FC: Rowe, Wright, McQuitty, Dobbin (c), Gray, Johnston, Willighan (Tully, ‘81), Robinson, Brown (Kane, ‘52), Youle, Donnelly (McIlveen, ‘69)

SUBS NOT USED: Williams, Trussell, Kirk

Referee: Tony Clarke