Coleraine clinch victory over Crusaders

BY AARON O'NEILL

Goals from Eoin Bradley and Stephen O’Donnell were enough to ensure all 3 points for the Bannsiders. The win means that Oran Kearney’s side maintain their unbeaten start to the new season.

The opening chance of the match fell to Crusaders via a Rodney Brown free-kick after Paul Heatley was fouled outside the area. The ex-Coleraine man unleashed an effort from 30 yards which Johns could only parry in the Coleraine goal, fortunately the Coleraine defence where able to snuff out the danger and clear to safety.

Coleraine’s first meaningful chance came on nine minutes after winger Josh Carson was brought down by Gavin Whyte. The ball was swung into the area but was easily dealt with by the Crusaders defence. On 14 minutes they had another chance from a free-kick but Eoin Bradley fired straight into the wall.

Oran Kearney’s side should have found themselves ahead on 21 minutes. Darren McCauley’s corner fell to McGonigle inside the box and his goal bound effort was smartly cleared off the line by Sean Ward for another corner. It was a case of déjà-vu as McCauley’s delivery was met by the head of Stephen O’Donnell and the big defender flicked the ball on to Eoin Bradley who made no mistake in converting and giving his side the lead.

Crusaders responded moments later as Paul Heatley had a chance to make it one apiece. A great through ball from summer signing Jamie Glackin released Heatley but Chris Johns was quick off his line to quash the danger.

Crusaders looked to have levelled on 34 minutes as Gavin Whyte's cross was deflected towards goal by David Ogilby. Luckily for the Bannsider, Chris Johns leaped high to his left and was able to tip the ball over the bar.

Coleraine had a chance to double their lead on 36 minutes as McGonigle found himself in space inside the box. His snap-shot looked as though it was destined for the back of the net, only to be denied by Brian Jensen.

On the stroke of half-time it was 2-0 to Coleraine. Another neat delivery from a Darren McCauley corner was met by the head of Stephen O’Donnell at the back post and the central defender fired his header low into the bottom corner to double his side’s advantage.

As the half-time whistle sounded, Coleraine looked to be the side in the ascendency as Stephen Baxter aimed to get a reaction from his players and find an inroad back into the game in the second half.

Crusaders seemed to start the second-half the brighter of the two sides. Beverland and Owens went close for the home side in the opening minutes but failed to find the target. Paul Heatley should have pulled a goal back on 54 minutes as he latched on to Jordan Owen’s flick on. Heatley looked to direct his effort towards goal but he was smartly denied by Johns.

There was little to report by way of meaningful chances in the second half with both sides cancelling each other out. On the hour mark there were penalty appeals from both sides. Coleraine striker Eoin Bradley looked to have been hauled down inside the box. Moments later, Crusaders had an appeal of their own as Carson looked to have fouled Heatley. Both appeals were waved away by referee Ian McNabb.

The Bannsiders were reduced to ten men on 61 minutes as David Ogilby picked up his second booking of the game for a deliberate handball. Oran Kearney turned to his bench for inspiration in order to hold on to the lead. Stephen Douglas entered the fray to resume his position in the heart of the defence and help his side maintain their healthy lead.

The waves of Crusaders pressure continued as Jordan Owens had a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit to 2-1 but he could only steer his header over the crossbar.

Josh Carson should have extended Coleraine’s lead on 75 minutes. A dangerous delivery was met by the head of Carson but his headed effort drifted wide of the target.

The Crues’ were relentless throughout the second half as they searched for a way back into the game. Coleraine defended astutely throughout which left Stephen Baxter’s side frustrated.

Coleraine looked as if they could have scored a third on 85 minutes as Eoin Bradley raced clear of the Crusaders defence but he was unable to convert.

Crusaders went close via Rodney Brown but he couldn’t find the back of the net. On the 93rd minute Jordan Forsythe pulled a goal back for Crusaders but it was a case of too little too late. Coleraine held on to clinch victory at Seaview and the win see’s the Bannsiders remain unbeaten so far this campaign.