Coleraine secure 2-1 victory over Linfield to extend Premiership lead
Last updated 14th Oct 2017
By Aaron O'Neill
It was a top of the table clash at The Showgrounds as Coleraine hosted Linfield in a game which had a lot at stake for both sides.
The home side had their unbeaten run still intact with a 4 point cushion over the visitors at the top of the table. David Healy’s side would have been aiming to reduce the gap to the league leaders if they could muster a win.
The opening few minutes were a rather cagey affair with both sides taking time to gain their composure.
Coleraine had the best of the opening chances. Brad Lyons and Jamie McGonigle had efforts early on for the home side but to no avail. Aaron Burns had a half chance for the visitors in the opening stages but his effort was easily gathered by Chris Johns.
Linfield had a penalty claim midway through the first half. Aaron Burns went down under the challenge of Coleraine’s Aaron Traynor but referee Arnold Hunter adjudged it to have been a fair challenge.
McGonigle had another effort saved on 26 minutes. The young forward picked the ball up deep in his own half before and ran the length of the pitch before firing straight at Carroll. Moments later Linfield looked to have gained the advantage but some last ditch defending from David Ogilby kept the scores level.
Linfield piled on the pressure as the first-half progressed and looked to have taken the lead on 37 minutes. Niall Quinn’s well-placed free-kick looked destined for the top corner but his effort was well saved by Johns.
Coleraine could have been reduced to 10 men on the stroke of half-time. Andrew Waterworth went down under the challenge of Stephen O’Donnell who looked to be the last man but the referee awarded the central defender a yellow card for his troubles – much to the dismay of the Linfield faithful.
As the half-time whistle sounded it was honours even at the Ballycastle Road, both sides with everything to play for in the second-half.
Coleraine had the first meaningful chance of the second-half. On 53 minutes striker Jamie McGonigle found himself in space inside the area but the young forward fired his shot wide.
Moments later Coleraine took the lead via a Brad Lyons header. Linfield defender Josh Robinson commited a foul on Parkhill outside the area and Oran Kearney’s side capitalised from the set piece. Ciaron Harkin’s pinpoint delivery found the head of Lyons who made no mistake from close range.
Linfield clawed their way back into the game on 64 minutes. A series of corners had Coleraine on the back foot. After a couple of attempts David Healy’s side made their pressure pay as Mark Haughey dispatched a superb header to bring the scores level.
Coleraine midfielder Brad Lyons was stretchered off mid-way through the second-half after he seemed to have collided with Linfield goalkeeper Roy Carroll. Both players contested a high ball into the box and Lyons looked to have been knocked out in the midst of the action.
In what was a frantic second-half it was Coleraine who nicked that go-ahead goal right at the death. Some neat link-up play between the Coleraine forwards allowed McCready to release McGonigle. The striker fired his shot towards goal and his shot was saved by Carroll en-route to goal. As the crowds watched in awe the referee decided that the ball had crossed the line and awarded the goal.
Linfield manager David Healy was dismissed by referee Arnold Hunter in the closing stages after he vented his frustration regarding the controversial winner.
The victory means Coleraine extend their advantage to 5 points at the top of the Danske Bank Premiership after 10 matches unbeaten.
COLERAINE FC: Johns, Mullan, Harkin, Ogilby, McCauley, Lyons (‘73, Kee) O’Donnell, Parkhill, Traynor, McGonigle (’90, Whiteside) McCready
UNUSED SUBS: Douglas, McConaghie, Doherty
LINFIELD FC: Carroll, Robinson, Haughey, Callacher, Waterworth, Millar, Burns (‘87, Adams) Clarke, Mulgrew, Garrett (‘70, Lowry), Quinn (‘82, Stewart)
UNUSED SUBS: Stafford, Mitchell
Referee: Arnold Hunter