IRISH LEAGUE FULL-TIME VERDICT: Everything you need to know from Coleraine 4 Crusaders 1
Coleraine moved back to the summit of the Premiership table as a blistering start set the tone for a routine victory against Crusaders.
TOP RATED
COLERAINE: Senan Devine is tipped for a bright future and this time last year was embarking on a loan spell at H&W Welders. He returned last January and has been a part of Ruaidhri Higgins’ first-team squad. The teenager scored in last weekend’s victory at Portadown and netted a fine brace this evening.
CRUSADERS: Elliot Dunlop tried his best to get Crusaders up the park on a difficult evening for Declan Caddell’s men. The talented winger was largely starved of service but was comfortable in possession when picked out by his team-mates.
BIG MOMENT
The game as done and dusted by the eight-minute mark as Coleraine made a devastating start to proceedings at The Showgrounds. The third goal was a joy to behold as Rob Slevin’s weighted pass slipped in Ben Doherty on the left-hand side. His cross was perfect for Matthew Shevlin to plant a header beyond the reach of Shea Callister and into the net.
MATCH STATS
1: GOAL - Coleraine 1 (Devine) Crusaders 0
A dream start for the Bannsiders as Matthew Shevlin heads the ball into the path of Ben Wylie. The midfielder finds himself in a pocket of space and centres the ball for Senan Devine to convert from close range.
5: GOAL – Coleraine 2 (Henderson) Crusaders 0
Crusaders pay the penalty for losing the ball in their own half and Jay Henderson – who hit a hat-trick in the North-West Senior Cup win against Dergview on Tuesday night – picks out the bottom corner with an emphatic finish.
8: GOAL – Coleraine 3 (Shevlin) Crusaders 0
Pardon the pun – but it is raining goals for the hosts here. This time Rob Slevin starts the attack as he releases the run of Ben Doherty on the left-hand side. The full-back sends an inviting ball into the box which is headed in my Matthew Shevlin.
H-T: Coleraine 3 Crusaders 0
52: GOAL – Coleraine 4 (Devine) Crusaders 0
A second for Devine to savour as a loose ball is seized upon by the midfielder who finds the bottom corner.
57: SUBS – (Coleraine) Cooper, McGregor and Brooks replace Shevlin, Devine and Boyle.
58: SUBS – (Crusaders) McKechnie and Anderson replace Weir and Reid.
61: YELLOW – (Crusaders) Dunlop
66: SUB – (Crusaders) Rough replaces Kelly
66: YELLOW – (Crusaders) McKay
67: SUB – (Coleraine) Tonks replaces Kane
73: SUB – (Coleraine) Thomson replaces Doherty
78: SUBS – (Crusaders) Mulholland and Beattie replace Dunlop and McKay.
83: GOAL – Coleraine 4 Crusaders 1 (Mulholland)
A special moment for 15-year-old Michael Mulholland as he latches onto Owen Wardell’s cross to finish from close range.
F-T: Coleraine 4 Crusaders 1
COLERAINE: Webb, Kane (Tonks, 67), Boyle (Brooks, 57), Patching, Shevlin (McGregor, 57), Wilson, Henderson, Slevin, Devine (Cooper, 57), Wylie, Doherty (Thomson, 73).
Subs Not Used: Robinson (GK), Stewart.
CRUSADERS: Callister, Forsythe, Kelly, Blaney, Weir (Anderson, 58), Jewitt-White, Dunlop (Mulholland, 78), Doherty, Wardell, Reid (McKechnie, 58), McKay (Beattie, 78).
Subs Not Used: Brown (GK), Bond.
Referee: Steven Gregg
TALKING POINTS
Coleraine’s home record last season was the best in the division and they will be fully intent on doing similar this time around as they aim to get their hands on the Gibson Cup.
Their strength in depth was a major talking point before a ball was kicked as team news saw that Joel Cooper, Adam Brooks and Joe Thomson were listed amongst the substitutes, with the likes of Ryan Schofield, Rowan McDonald and James Akintunde continuing their rehabilitation from injury.
Declan Caddell will be hoping this doesn’t derail Crusaders’ impressive start to the season. After losing on the opening day to Cliftonville, the men from the Shore Road travelled to the Ballycastle Road after four successive victories in all competitions. They will now look to get back on the winning trail next weekend when they host Limavady United.
SPECIAL MENTION
COLERAINE: Jay Henderson was renowned for his space before completing a move to the Bannsiders this summer from Scottish side Ross County. That was evidenced by his goal at The Showgrounds as he picked the ball up just inside Crusaders’ half and he planted an unstoppable effort beyond the reach of Shea Callister.
CRUSADERS: There was a special moment for Michael Mulholland as the Crusaders striker was introduced onto the pitch at the age of 15. Not only that but the starlet found the back of the net as he spoiled Coleraine registering a fourth clean sheet in a row with a fine finish from Owen Wardell’s cross.