Ruaidhri Higgins hails ‘satisfying’ road joy at Taylors Avenue for Bannsiders
Ruaidhri Higgins reflected on a 2-0 road win over Carrick Rangers as “satisfying as going anywhere in the league and winning”.
The breakthrough finally arrived on 56 minutes when Joel Cooper grabbed his first goal of the season, with Coleraine then putting themselves out of sight with just four minutes to go through Ben Doherty’s emphatic finish.
“I said it to the players in there that coming to places like Carrick and winning is as satisfying as going anywhere in the league and winning...for a number of reasons to be honest with you,” said Higgins. "The main thing is that I'm really proud of the players because they gave everything.
"They fought for every ball and they've done the ugly parts of the game really, really well and that's what you have to do when you come here.
"I’m delighted for them...I thought our two centre-backs were tremendous and defended so well.
"I thought we showed our professionalism today and we could have scored more goals.
“We had two big chances through ‘Shevy’ (Matthew Shevlin) in the the first half.
"Going up the hill, as mad as that sounds...going up the hill, it's more difficult to create opportunities.
"‘Webby’ (Lewis Webb) has only had to make one save from a shot from about 20 yards.
"We were the better team in the first half but I felt coming this way and attacking into the bottom end in the second half that we would get opportunities and we did.
"We could have scored more goals in all honestly but I’m just delighted with the victory."
On top of praise for the attacking edge, Higgins highlighted a blank at the back.
“We didn't give up many opportunities at all really...we had to defend our box and all that sort of stuff but we're delighted with the two clean sheets (against Larne and Carrick Rangers).
"I don’t usually single players out but I thought our two centre-backs – Rob Slevin and Aidan Wilson – were superb today.
"They won everything in the air and cleared their box when they had to.
"We are just delighted to leave here with the three points and we look forward to the next challenge."
One disappointment was the exit of Cooper, leaving Higgins to report “we will see”.
Higgins added: "You know when Joel has to be withdrawn, then there’s obviously a slight issue.
"He’s a big player for us but I’m sure we will get him back as quick as we can."