FOOTBALL: Second-half delight as Coleraine see off Cliftonville

Second-half goals from Josh Carson and Jamie McGonigle ensured Coleraine made it two wins from two across the opening four days of the Danske Bank Premiership season.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Aug 2017, 23:35 BST
Updated 12th Sep 2017, 11:22 BST
Celebration time following Josh Carson's goal against Cliftonville in victory for Coleraine. Pic by Pacemaker.Celebration time following Josh Carson's goal against Cliftonville in victory for Coleraine. Pic by Pacemaker.
Celebration time following Josh Carson's goal against Cliftonville in victory for Coleraine. Pic by Pacemaker.

It proved a deserved defeat of a Cliftonville side who entered the match bolstered by an emphatic weekend win over Ards.

The only really note-worthy incident in what was a disappointing first half came on 28 minutes after Eoin Bradley went down inside the box under Jamie Harney’s challenge - but referee Arnold Hunter awarded a free-kick to the visitors and rightfully cautioned the Bannsiders’ striker for diving.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Oran Kearney’s side took the lead on 50 minutes as good play by Adam Mullan was capped off by Carson’s close-range finish low past Cliftonville keeper Brett Long.

Carson played his part in Coleraine’s second goal on 63 minutes as his clever throughball released McGonigle and he made no mistake by firing low into Long’s bottom right-hand corner.

In an action-packed final quarter, the woodwork was hit at either end as Joe Gormley’s header came back off the post and Brad Lyons’ long-range lob over the out-rushing Long bounced up and hit the bar.

Coleraine goalkeeper Chris Johns proved alert to claim an early cross before Gormley could connect plus gather Daniel Hughes’ delivery before the break.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Long was on hand to deny the impressive Cairon Harkin - with the latter popping up to head Harney’s header off the Coleraine line.

Darren McCauley was also in the right spot at the right time to clear a Cliftonville corner-kick off his own line.

Coleraine: Johns, Whiteside, O’Donnell, Ogilby, Mullan, Carson, Lyons, Harkin, McCauley, Bradley (McCready, 90), McGonigle (Parkhill, 81).

subs (not used): Kirk, Traynor, Doherty.

Cliftonville: Long, Cosgrove, Breen, Harney, Ives, Bagnall, J.Donnelly, Garrett (Winchester, 66), Curran, Gormley, Hughes (M.Donnelly 66).

subs (not used): Neeson, Ramsey, A.Donnelly.

Referee: Arnold Hunter.

Related topics:ColeraineCliftonvillePremiershipDanske Bank