Two from two for lively Coleraine
Kearney's side impressive in win over Cliftonville
By Aaron O’Neill
Coleraine maintained their 100% record to the new Danske Bank Premiership season as they enjoyed a 2-0 victory over Cliftonville at the Showgrounds on Tuesday evening.
Both sides had a lot at stake heading into the second league game of the season as they looked to continue their positive starts to the new campaign.
Barry Gray’s side made the trip to Coleraine buoyed by an opening day triumph over Ards at Solitude. The Reds enjoyed a 6-3 victory, in what was Gray’s first league game as Cliftonville manager.
The Bannsiders enjoyed success of their own on the opening day as they picked up all three points after a 3-1 victory over Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park.
The opening few minutes were a rather frantic affair at the Showgrounds, with both sides creating half chances early on. Brad Lyons was unlucky not to put the home side ahead. A great delivery by Josh Carson saw Lyons leap at the back post, only to be denied by Cosgrove’s clearing header. Joe Gormley went close for Cliftonville, but some smart goalkeeping from Johns saw him clutch the ball off the toe of the striker.
On 20 minutes the best chance of the game fell to Coleraine. Midfielder Ciaron Harkin intercepted the ball before his dinked pass found McCauley in space out wide. Some neat footwork saw McCauley beat his man before firing to the back post where Carson misdirected his header.
This seemed to spark The Reds into life as immediately they had a chance to gain the advantage. A slick break up the pitch found Hughes in space inside the box but he failed to convert from Gormley’s cross.
Eoin Bradley went close moments later after a strong run through the heart of the Cliftonville defence but he could only drag his shot wide of the upright.
Cliftonville should have been ahead on 35 minutes. A superb switch of play across the field found Chris Curran in space inside the 18 yard box but his timid effort was easily gathered by Johns.
Ciaron Harkin had a chance to put the Bannsiders in front on 43 minutes. A quick counter attack found Bradley in space on the wing. His lay off was met by the advancing Harkin but his curling effort was well saved by Brett Long.
The half-time whistle sounded at the Showgrounds and it was back to the drawing board for both teams, in what was a disappointing first half.
As the second half began, Coleraine started the brighter of the two sides and their efforts were rewarded on 50 minutes. Josh Carson gave Oran Kearney’s men the advantage. A great jinking run from full-back Adam Mullan, allowed him to fire the ball low into the box where Carson was on-hand to fire the ball into the back of the net.
Cliftonville should have levelled on 57 minutes. Daniel Hughes picked the ball up on the edge of the box before crossing to the back post. Joe Gormley was lurking but he failed to get on the end of Hughes’ delivery.
It was a case of too many chances spurned for Barry Gray’s side, as Coleraine doubled their advantage on 63 minutes. Josh Carson robbed his man out on the wing before releasing McGonigle and the young striker made no mistake as he converted from 12 yards.
Cliftonville had a chance to reduce the deficit 10 minutes later as Jamie Harney’s goal bound header was cleared off the line by Ciaron Harkin. The Cliftonville pressure continued as the Reds searched for a way back into the game. A great through ball found Levi Ives in space but his misplaced delivery drifted over the crossbar.
On 84 minutes Cliftonville attacked again and forced a corner. A great delivery from a corner saw Harney rise above the defence but his header was cleared off the line by Darren McCauley. Moments later, substitute Martin Donnelly went close from a free-kick. Donnelly placed the ball before curling an effort to the back post but luckily Johns was on-hand to make the save.
Eoin Bradley had a great chance to make it 3-0 to Coleraine on 89 minutes. A superb cross from the ever-lively Carson was met by Bradley’s volley but his effort was excellently saved by Long. Brad Lyons looked as though he had bagged a third for the home side on 90 minutes. He latched onto Harkin’s dinked through ball and lifted the ball over the advancing goalkeeper. As the Cliftonville defence raced back to clear the ball, it bounced in the 6 yard box before ricocheting off the crossbar and was cleared to safety.
As the final whistle blew it was Oran Kearney’s side who took all three points at the Showgrounds and the result keeps the Bannsiders joint top of the table. Cliftonville travel to Ballinamallard on Saturday and will be hoping to bounce back from the disappointment of last night’s game.
COLERAINE FC: Johns, Mullan, Harkin, Ogilby, McCauley, (c) Bradley (90’ McCready), Carson, Lyons, O’Donnell, McGonigle (80’ Parkhill), Whiteside
UNUSED SUBS: Doherty, Kirk, Traynor
CLIFTONVILLE FC: Long, Ives, Breen, Harney, (c) Curran, Hughes (66’ M. Donnelly), Garrett (66’ Winchester), Bagnall, Gormley, Donnelly, Cosgrove
UNUSED SUBS: Neeson, Ramsey, A. Donnell