McAree off and running as Coleraine pick up consecutive wins - with victory over Linfield
Bannsiders see off Blues at Windsor
Coleraine have registered back-to-back wins for the first time under new manager Rodney McAree following the Stripes’ 2-1 victory against Linfield.
The home side started the brighter of the sides at the National Stadium at Windsor Park but it was Coleraine who had the most meaningful chance of the opening exchanges.
A ball into the box fell to Aaron Burns at the back post but the midfielder lacked composure before hooking his effort over the crossbar.
Eoin Bradley had an effort for the visitor’s moments later after a great move created an opening for the front man. Bradley fired wide, but the flag was raised for offside.
The Bannsiders’ persistence paid off and they gained the advantage on 21 minutes. A jinking run from Darren McCauley (pictured below) allowed the winger to deliver the ball into the back post. McCauley’s 'cross' took a deflection off Linfield defender Matthew Clarke before ending up in the back of the net.
McAree was forced into an early substitution as Jamie McGonigle entered the fray for Josh Carson who limped off on 31 minutes against his former club.
Eoin Bradley could have doubled Coleraine’s advantage on 33 minutes but the striker opted to shoot first time when he was presented time and space at the edge of the area and his shot sailed over.
Jordan Stewart had the ball in the net for Linfield before the interval but his dinked effort was ruled out for offside.
Coleraine found themselves ahead at the break and were unlucky not to have been further in front at the interval, on a day were Linfield looked off the pace.
After the restart Linfield came out fighting but it was McAree’s side that had the first opportunity of the second half. Stephen Lowry’s ball found Eoin Bradley inside the area, the striker rolled his man before firing towards goal only to be denied by an expert save from Roy Carroll.
The Bannsiders had a further chance on the hour mark after some neat link up play between the Coleraine attackers presented Jamie McGonigle with an opportunity but he fired wide.
Coleraine’s hard work paid off as they doubled their lead on 65 minutes as Ciaron Harkin’s low deflected off Kirk Millar and into the back of the net.
Linfield looked to reduce the deficit on 76 minutes as Mark Stafford had an opportunity from a corner but the defender’s header trickled wide.
With just minutes remaining, David Healy’s side pulled a goal back. Coleraine failed to deal with Kirk Millar’s corner and after a scramble inside the area the ball found its way into the back of the net.
Linfield went in search of an equaliser and could have levelled via a free kick from Niall Quinn but the defender’s set piece sailed over.
Despite the late Linfield fight back, Coleraine held on and were deserved winners at the National Stadium. The result sees the Bannsiders jump up to fifth in the Danske Bank Premiership and means Coleraine are unbeaten in a full calendar year away from home.
LINFIELD FC: Carroll, Stafford, Callacher, Waterworth, Cooper (Doyle ‘82), Stewart (Reynolds ‘82), Millar, Clarke (Fallon ‘72), Mulgrew (c), Quinn, Casement
Subs not used: Moller Nielsen, Robinson, Garrett, Deane
COLERAINE FC: Johns, Mullan, Harkin, Douglas, McCauley McConaghie ‘87), Lowry, Carson (McGonigle ‘31), Burns (Parkhill ‘84), O’Donnell (c), Canning
Subs not used: Doherty, McConaghie, Gawne, Whiteside, Bradley
REFEREE: Ian McNabb