Institute secure Premiership survival with derby victory over Coleraine
Institute responded in the best possible manner with a 1-0 derby victory over Coleraine at Brandywell Stadium.
Aaron Jarvis poked home late in the game to mathematically secure Stute’s safety in the top flight, providing the perfect response after a midweek drubbing against Ballymena United.
It proved a frantic start at between the sides as Institute hosted Coleraine in a North West derby.
Coleraine had a golden opportunity in the opening ten minutes as Steven Douglas crossed but his ball into a dangerous area failed to find an attacking player.
The home side launched a counter attack which almost paid off as Ronan Wilson forced a superb save from Chris Johns. Paul Smith rattled the follow up towards goal but Johns proved equal to the opportunity.
Institute looked the most threatening in the opening half as Chris Johns was forced into action in a couple of occasions to ensure the score remained deadlocked. Attacker Paul Smith looked likely throughout the first half whilst Stephen Curry also threatened for Kevin Doherty’s side.
The Bannsiders probably should have gone in front on the half hour mark. Dean Shiels launched a flowing move, releasing Josh Carson down the left wing, his cross found the head of Eoin Bradley but he failed to hit the target with a glancing header.
With minutes remaining to the half time interval Smith should have fired Stute ahead. The front man robbed his man on the half way line before racing towards goal but he could only fire his effort down the throat of Chris Johns.
The defensive duo of Ryan Morrow and Dean Curry had further attempts to give the home side the lead before the break but to no avail.
Coleraine struggled to contain Institute’s flowing football in large parts of the first half whilst the home side would have been disappointed not to have taken one of their multiple chances in the first half.
Cormac Burke and James McLaughlin came on for Coleraine as they looked to grab a foothold in the match.
Institute maintained their intensity after the interval and should have gone ahead after the hour mark. A ball over the top caught Coleraine cold as Jamie Dunne advanced down the left for Stute. The winger pulled the ball back to Ronan Wilson who should have shot first time but his touch allowed the Bannsiders to regroup and snuff out the danger.
Josh Carson registered Coleraine’s first shot on target in the 65th minute but his effort from 18 yards failed to trouble Martin Gallagher in the Stute goal.
Paul Smith called Chris Johns into action from a set piece as the home side almost benefited from Stephen Lowry’s foul on Ronan Wilson on the edge of the area.
Coleraine had a couple of half chances with moments remaining but Ian Parkhill and James McLaughlin could only fire over the crossbar.
Institute got the goal which they deserved right at the death as Aaron Jarvis tapped home. Ronan Wilson raced through from midfield before squaring the ball across the box for his teammate to tap home.
INSTITUTE FC: Gallagher (GK), R. Morrow, C. McLaughlin, D. Curry (c), Dunne, S. Curry (Moorehead 89), Jarvis, McIntyre, Wilson, Smith (Brown 90), McBride (J. Morrow 79)
Subs not used: Kelly, Scoltock, Leppard, E. McLaughlin
COLERAINE FC: Johns (GK), Lowry (c), Douglas, Carson, McConaghie, B. Doherty, Edgar, Glackin (Parkhill 79), Shiels (Burke 57), King, E. Bradley (McLaughlin 57)
Subs not used: Doherty (GK), Mullan, Crown, McGonigle
Referee: Lee Tavinde