Football is back

It's been a month now since our last match, since then we've had the world cup bid announcements, had our xmas parties, we've been snowed in, had minus 10 or more temperatures, scoffed our Christmas dinner , had burst pipes, been with no water.  It's felt as long as a summer break only it's winter time, Saturday afternoons just haven't been the same so the sooner 3pm on Saturday comes and the Stripes take to the pitch the better.

 

When Saturday comes it will be like the beginning of the season again.  Since Saturday 27th November we've had Portadown in the CIS Cup called off three times, Newry away called off, Dungannon at home called off and Ballymena away called off.  On the plus side we should have the whole squad fit nearly and Leon back who would have missed the games had they have been played, but on the downside we have a massive backlog of games to be played.

 

I'm sure we are all itching at the bit to get along to the game on Saturday, the old routine back, meeting your mates, few pints, and hopefully some good action on the park.  Nothing more would make my Christmas holidays than Coleraine to take three points at home to Cliftonville this Saturday and what a start to the new year it would be. 

 

Saturday will see our third meeting of the season against the North Belfast Reds, so far we have won both games and are unbeaten in our last seven games against Cliftonville. The last match between the two sides saw us win 

3-1 with Knight scoring twice and Carson also scoring. After losing our last two home games against Glentoran and Portadown, it's vital we win on Saturday as currently we are 8th in the table and nine points of the top six, a gap which needs to be closed ASAP before it gets any bigger.

 

Cliftonville will be in high spirits after their 2-1 derby victory over the Crues on Monday, where Mark Holland scored an 89th minute winner.  Although we haven't had a game in over a month, the players have been training hard and making use of indoor facilities, so hopefully come Saturday the players our sharp, fit, rested and ready to take all three points at the Showground's.

 

So as the build up continues to the biggest party night of the year, I find hard to get motivated for it, because Coleraine v Cliftonville is the biggest attraction for me this weekend.

 

 

Match Info

Beverland, Watt and Black are suspended for Coleraine

Coleraine are unbeaten in last seven games against Cliftonville

Coleraine have lost their last two home games

Cliftonville are currently 3rd in the Carling Premiership

 

This Weeks Coleraine News

On Tuesday Coleraine were due to travel to play Portadown in the quarter final of the CIS Cup, however due to the weather this came was postponed once again.

 

Tuesday night saw the club shop open for the final time before Christmas

 

Last weekend saw the Ballymoney and Railway Enders Coleraine Supporters Clubs hand over cheques to Coleraine FC, this was greatly appreciated by the club.

 

Sunday saw the Social Club hold their xmas draw and Karaoke night

 

The last game Coleraine have played was on Sat 27th Nov at home to Portadown

 

Next home game - Ballymena v Coleraine on Mon 27th Dec - however due to the current weather it looks unlikely this game will go ahead.

 

On boxing day, Coleraine Football Club will be open and showing live football, everyone is welcome along for a days craic.

 

Leon Knight to spend Christmas in Coleraine due to current weather he can't risk a flight home as he couldn't guarantee he would be back for the derby game should it go ahead.

 

Jimmy Calvin has been appointed Coleraine Academy Liaison Officer

This Weeks Coleraine News

Tuesday night the Stripes were due to travel to face Portadown in the CIS Cup quarter final - Didn't have to, as for the 2nd time in a row Portadowns pitch has been frozen and the game was callled off.

Wednesday saw the 5th round of the irish cup draw - Coleraine will be away against the winners of Limavady or Wakehurst. With the tie due to be played on Saturday 15th January 2011.

Next game weather permitting is Coleraine v Dungannon Swifts in the Carling Premierhsip on Sat 18th December.

CIS Cup Quarter Final - Portadown v Coleraine has been re-arranged for Tues 21st December - kick off 7.45pm

Club Shop - The club shop will be open on Saturday from 1-5pm, it will also be open Tues 21st Dec from 7-9pm

Coleraine Social Club - Hosts it's Xmas draw on Sunday, loads of prizes, plus only £2 a pint during Chelsea v Man Utd - kick off 4pm.

Players suspended for next match - Watt, Beverland & Black.

Coleraine Social Club will be presenting a cheque to Coleraine Football Club this Saturday

Christmas fun day at home to Dungannon -  

all under-16's (accompanied by a paying adult) will gain free entry to the match, whilst all under-11's will also receive a free selection box. However, the kids won't get it all their own way as adults will receive a free ticket for a half-time raffle to win a luxury Christmas hamper. Half-time will also see fans taking part in a penalty kick competition against Santa himself!

Bannsiders take on Swifts - or maybe not

Weather permitting, far too often I'm typing this now, Coleraine host Dungannon Swifts at home in the Carling Irish Premiership this Saturday.  It's time to forget Christmas for 2 hours between 3-5pm this Saturday as Coleraine aim to get back on track in the league and pick up three points before we travel for the xmas derby away to our fluffy friends on Monday 27th December.

 

Coleraine have taken maximum points in their last two home games against Dungannon, and with Dungannon currently below us in the league this is a massive game for Coleraine to collect three points and move clear of the bottom teams. No disrespect to the Swifts but Coleraine should be taking all points at home to them this weekend, if not the players deserve a swift boot up the arse.  In what has been a disappointing season so far, it's important Coleraine win this Saturday and give the fans some cheer to take into Christmas and give the club a lift.

 

Dungannon lost at home last weekend to Ballymena and also had two players sent off, Coleraine had another weekend off due to the bad weather postponing their game away to Newry last Friday night.

 

On Tues night we were meant to travel to play Portadown in the CIS cup quarter final, however that game was also called off due to a frozen pitch at one end of their ground, which means Coleraine will still have Watt, Beverland and Black suspended for the game against Dungannon.

 

As I type, snow is forecast along with freezing temps, so it looks like we will have another free Saturday without football and Coleraine will take a big money hit, it's frustrating, disappointing and most of costing the club money again.

 

On Saturday the Coleraine Social Club will donate a cheque to Coleraine Football Club which will be a great boost to the clubs finances, so well done on everyone supporting the Social Club.

 

 

 

Match Info

Dungannons Nickname - The Swifts

Dungannons Manager - Dixie Robinson

Michael Hegarty of Coleraine used to play for Dungannon Swifts

Watt, Beverland and Black of Coleraine are suspended for the game.

Snow Good with no Football

It's nice to watch out the window when it's falling, it's good when it's fluffy and settles nicely so you can roll a nice big snowman, stick a carrot in him, few stones and a silly hat and scarf, it's fun, YES I know, I've built one.

 

However one thing which ain't great about it is the nice green grass at our clubs ground is now covered in this fluffy snow and with temperatures dropping into the minus it means our lovely pitches are more suitable for skiing than the beautiful game.  We seen the mess it caused last season, all covered in snow, then it thaws, then it's lying in water and it then freezes over.

 

Not only is it costing clubs money it's costing the fans their weekend fun and days out, but we just have to get on with it, some good comes out of it along with the bad, the good being Leon Knight who would have missed Portadown and Newry away because of injury will now hopefully be back for them games, injured players in our squad will have had a two week rest, Coleraine FC haven't had any home games in the past two weeks to fall short of the weather and were still in the CIS Cup.  However the downfall is getting dragged to the shops or the daily building of snowmen.

 

Lets hope that this weather clears up, snow disappears and the temperatures rise and our home game against Dungannon next Saturday can go ahead, it what will be a massive game for us on the weekend before Christmas, not only is it a big game for the team and the fans, but the club as a whole will welcome a game, for the gate money, bar takings in what I'm sure is a Saturday that the Bannsiders will be looking a beer in the run up to Christmas.  It would be a nice boost and early Christmas present for the club and it's followers if the game goes ahead and we can take three points heading into Christmas.

 

Last season Coleraine were flying in the league until the cold snap kicked in and called our 3 home games in a row off along with other games, if affected us, fixtures piled up, the break caused our form to dip, lets hope this season it works to our advantage and when we get back we hit form. So if the weather clears up and the games goes ahead, make an effort and support your local club next Saturday.

 

Ps. Keep and eye out in case the club needs you the fans to help clear the pitch this year.

 

Up for the Cup - weather permitting

After the last two weekends and the shambles produced on the pitch by Coleraine FC, two defeats against two sides who are below us in the league, two weeks in a row our keepers have gifted the other teams goals, it's not good enough, the team is underachieving, the league table doesn't lie, the fans have had enough and it's time for the players to come out and proved to us they are worth a Coleraine shirt on a Saturday afternoon. 

 

The next three games coming up for Coleraine are massive, Portadown in the cup, followed by Newry away and Dungannon at home. Newry are currently 2nd bottom and only three points behind us, whilst Dungannon are 3rd bottom and only one point behind us. A defeat at Newry would put us in big trouble, a club like Coleraine should not be concerned about relegation, but about reaching the top six, currently we are seven points away from the top six.  So it's vital the club takes points in the next couple of league games anything less is unacceptable.

 

The harsh facts are that we have lost 12 league games already this season, not drawn once and we are the leagues lowest goalscorers. It's not good enough and it's not acceptable.

 

Weather permitting on Saturday Coleraine take a break from league action as they travel to face Portadown in the Quarter Final of the CIS Cup.  Portadown beat us 3-1 very easily last weekend, to be fair many a team would have beat us easily as we handed out goals like Santa hands out presents.  Davy is under pressure to get a win this Saturday, if we lose again and exit the cup, Davy will be under more pressure than a Turkey coming up to Christmas.  For Davy's sake and the fans I hope the players can give us something to shout about and lead us into the semi finals, at least it would give the Bannsiders something to look forward to in the new year.

 

We all remember last seasons memorable cup run which unfortunately ended in a penalty shoot out defeat against Glentoran in the final. It was this time last year when Coleraine travelled to play Cliftonville in the 1st leg of the quarter final, Coleraine defeated the favourites that day 3-2, so hopefully we can produce something the same this season and stay in the cup, because right now the club and the fans need a boost, the temperatures are freezing so on Saturday the fans need a winning performance to heat them up, if not then the players ears will be heated up.

 

Our last visit to Shamrock Park was in September, Portadown were the winners that day by two goals to nil. In our two visits to Shamrock Park last season the Ports beat us easily both times, in the first game they won 4-0 and in front of the Sky TV cameras they won 3-1. By our recent record at Shamrock Park you wouldn't be wrong to think it will be the same old same old and Portadown will run out winners, so we need the players to end our horrid run at Shamrock Park and get a result up their for a change. Don't let big tash man Ronnie and his team defeat us two weeks in a row and for the third time this season. 

 

 

When the teams not playing well and results are poor, fans question themselves, will I bother going, what's the point, etc, well it's in our blood ain't it, it's an addiction, we just keep going, we always cling onto that little bit of hope. To sum it up

We ain't playing well, Leon is now out injured, were inconsistent, were gifting team goals but we've a decent squad and with more fight, heart and belief, I believe we can still win this cup, the Blues are out, who else do we really fear.  I'm up for the cup - are you the Coleraine players up for the cup.  Prove us wrong this Saturday and send us into the semi finals.

 

C'mon the Stripes.

 

 

Match Info

Portadowns Ground - Shamrock Park

Leon Knight - out injured

John Watt - suspended

David Ogilby - cup tied

The tie is played to a finish

Coleraine have lost their last two away games

 

 

Jingle bells, Derby Day & Frozen Pitches

It's that time of year again folks, yip Christmas, you know where it starts in the shops in October and where sick of it before it's even upon us.  Traditionally over the Christmas period there is a feast of football in the Irish League, which is great for us fans over the holiday period who are looking to escape the house, the shocking festive TV guide and renditions of jingle bells.

 

In December everyone is splashing cash, buying presents, getting a loved one that special gift or maybe treating yourself.  Indulging in alcohol, scoffing food and out partying.  Everyone has that one gift or present they want, it's something they want but know there's that chance they might not get it, Irish League managers I'm sure will know what presents they would like and although they won't get their gift on Christmas Day they will have talked about it, looked at it and wanted it, but they will have to hold on to January for that gift, which is traditionally known as the January sales in the shops, and for managers it's the January transfer window. Hopefully Santa has a player in his sack for Coleraine to sign in January.

 

The Saturday before Christmas sees a full programme in the Carling Irish Premiership, Coleraine take on Dungannon at home.  Then it's the big one, nope not Santa, nope, not the Turkey dinner - It's Derby Day, yes the biggest and most attended, most talked about and eagerly awaited fixture of the season, each year it's traditionally held on boxing day which adds that extra buzz, excitement and atmosphere to the game.  This year however instead of the game being played on boxing day Sunday 26th December, the games will be played on Monday 27th because of Boxing Day falling on a Sunday.  But take nothing away from it, it will still be the same, fans in the Christmas spirit, big crowds, great atmosphere and the highlight of a lot of fans Christmas, at least this year the players will have a day extra to let their turkey and spuds settle and maybe can enjoy a Christmas day beer, however just the one or two and don't be overdoing it lads.  So don't be a turkey this Christmas and make sure you get along to the derby game over the festive season.

 

As the festive season almost comes to and end, we still have the biggest night of the year, yip it's New Years eve, most people tend to head out, or go to a house party and drink copious amounts of alcohol as they cheer in the New Year, most people do except for Irish League footballers, because as soon as the bells ring in for the New Year,  it's now 1st January 2011 and the New Years Day fixtures which is more football for the fans, a great way to get into the swing of the New Year, also an excuse to go out and get a cure for your New Years Eve hangover.  This year on New Years Day Coleraine take on Cliftonville at home in the Carling Irish Premiership, weather permitting, hopefully the game goes ahead and the Stripes can make a winning start to the new year.

 

Lets hope during this Christmas period the weather isn't as bad as last year, when the Irish League was badly affected by snow and freezing conditions, on the Saturday before Christmas Coleraine v Portadown was called off, on boxing day, even after Coleraine fans got out of bed and met at the showground's at 7am to clear the pitch the Coleraine v Ballymena was called off as the pitch was covered in snow which had frozen over. Even on New Years day Coleraine v Linfield was also called off as the pitch was still frozen.  What a boring Christmas it was for the football fans and the club took a massive financial loss because off this.

 

The whole of the Irish league suffered because of this and lost out in thousands of pounds as the freezing conditions made all pitches unplayable, except Crusaders FC who had a plastic pitch and were unaffected by this.  Coleraine lost out in massive gates with three home games in a row being called off which is thought to have cost Coleraine around 50 grand and possible more. Irish league clubs struggle as it is and can't afford to lose out on massive amounts of money like this - So this Christmas on my list I'll be hoping for better weather and no more frozen pitches. Like my club your club can't afford to have matches called off at a time when we see attendances boosted.

 

So to all Coleraine and Irish League fans, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and lets hops we see plenty off matches over the Christmas period.

 

 

Home & Away - Part one of Ports Double Head

When checking your fixture list you'll be wondering how on earth Coleraine our playing Portadown this Saturday and then again the following Saturday, well don't panic, it's simple - This Saturday we face Portadown at home in the Carling Irish Premiership, the following week we face Portadown away in the CIS Cup Quarter Final at Shamrock Park. Simples.

 

People will debate which game is more important to win, well I think their both as important as each other, it's important we beat Portadown in the league as last season they defeated us twice and in the other game we only drew, which ended up costing us a place in the top six.  Where as in the cup, we all have special memories of last seasons cup run in which we reached the final, so winning the cup tie and reaching the semi finals would be a great boost for the club and fans on the build up to Christmas. It would be nice to go into the new year with a semi final awaiting us and dreams of another trip to Windsor to make up for last seasons disappointment.

 

A worrying stat for Coleraine is that in our last four games against Portadown we have lost three times and drew once, conceding 12 goals and scoring four goals. Hopefully this Saturday we can finally get a win over the Ports.  Portadown like ourselves find themselves at the wrong end of the table however the way both teams are currently playing any team could win this game, with our current form god knows what we can expect from our team on saturday afternoon, i just hope Leon Knight if fit again and can lift the team after last saturdays shambolics.

Last weekend the Ports lost at home to Glentoran when Matty Burrows scored a stopage time winner for the second time this season against Portadown as the Glens won 1-0, Coleraine also lost away to Donegal Celtic in what was a poor performance from Coleraine who played against ten men after DC had a man sent off in the first minute.  Platt will be looking a reaction from his players and the Coleraine fans will be demanding nothing less than three points on saturday afternoon, anything less will be unacceptable.

Coleraine who have been so inconsistent this season owe the fans who have been loyal yet again this season some consistency and it's about time we put an unbeaten run together over the next month, we can't afford to let the gap widen between us and the top six.  Our recent form guide now shows as lost, win, lost, win, lost, which is worrying, we must go on a good run and pick up points consistently and move into the top six ASAP.

 

So on Saturday when MBE Ronnie, his tash and the redmen come to the showgrounds the players who pull on the stripes must stand up and be counted and prove to the fans that they are a good team and take three points from this game and start climbing the table.

The Ports who last season pipped us to 6th place have struggled this season, they currently lye 2nd bottom in the table, which is strange for Portadown considering the squad they have, also they have only won twice in nine league games away from home this season, but with our current form i wouldn't be surprised if they picked up their third away win, however a home win for us would open the gap between us and Portadown to seven points and hopefully move us up the table.

 

Hopefully the team can erase the fans memory of last saturdays shocking performance and give the Bannsiders something to cheer about as we head in to the festive month of December.

C'mon the Bannsiders

 

 

Match Info

Portadown Manager -Ronnie McFall

Opponents one to watch - Kevin Branniff

Portadown' nickname - The Reds

Coleraine - Aaron Caning is suspended

Ex Bannsiders represent Northern Ireland this Wed night

This midweek sees International football return, pfffft, I hear some of yous will groan.  Anyway Northern Ireland will take on Morocco in a friendly match at Windsor Park, whilst on the same night Northern Ireland u21's will play Scotland at Firhill Stadium in Glasgow.

 

While you might not recognise any household names in the Moroccans squad except Arsenal striker Chamakh, you's probably won't have heard of Lamyaghri, Kantari or El- Arabi, however two names from the two squads you will recognise and know a lot about is ex Coleraine defender Gareth McAuley and former striker Rory Patterson. So between the two games three ex Coleraine players will be representing their country. As I type,  in the senior squad Gareth McAuley known by the Coleraine fans as Big G will be present and alongside him will be last seasons Irish League scoring sensation and ex Coleraine striker Rory Patterson, in the u21 squad will be last seasons classy midfielder Eunan O'Kane, who's stay at Coleraine was short but his attitude and performances will always be remembered by the Coleraine fans.

 

Patterson earned his first Northern Ireland cap whilst playing for Coleraine, it came in a friendly match away in Albania, Patterson came on in the second half as Northern Ireland lost 1-0.  Rory has been ever present in every squad since which is a great achievement and a lot of which was down to his Coleraine team mates last season, his own fantastic goal record in the league and Davy Platt for taking the chance on him. Rory has only scored one goal this season in the English League one for his new club Plymouth Argyle whilst his starting appearances have been limited.

 

 

Gareth McAuley has had a great career so far, having won the Irish Cup with Coleraine in 2002/03, he then moved to Lincoln City in the summer of  2004, his next move was to Leicester City in June 2006 where he made 74 appearances, before moving to his current club Ipswich town in June 2008.  Gareth got his first Northern Ireland cap when Northern Ireland played Germany at Windsor Park in June 2005 a game which Germany won 4-1. Currently Big G is a regular starter for Northern Ireland at right back and has featured there in all of Northern Irelands last three Euro Qualifiers.  McAuleys has also scored for his country in a 3 nil victory away to San Marino in Feb 2009.  Gareth has now got 25 full NI caps and 20 starts for his country.  Lets hope Gareth can keep performing well for Northern Ireland and features once again on Wednesday night against Morocco.

 

scoring away to San Marino

The main attraction on Wednesday night will be when the senior squad take on Morocco, but for one player the Scotland v N.Ireland u21 game will be a big occasion as ex Coleraine midfielder player Eunan O'Kane is in the squad to face the Scots.  Eunan has represented Northern Ireland at under 16, 17, 19, 20 and U21 level. Eunan is currently playing for English League two side Torquay United , where this season he has appeared sixteen times, of which nine appearances where as a substitute, he has also scored one goal this season. Hopefully Eunan can make an impact in the u21 squad and who knows maybe one day he will join ex Coleraine players McAuley and Patterson and earn a cap for the senior squad, Good luck Eunan.

terrorising the enemy

 

Other Coleraine players over the years to represent out great little country some of whom you may remember and some you won't, anyway here is a list of players to get full international caps.

Full International Caps: Tommy Priestley, Frank Montgomery, Terry McCavana, Fay Coyle, Terry McCavana, Fay Coyle, Bertie Peacock, Victor Hunter, Raymond Gaston, Tony O'Doherty, Des Dickson, 
Terry Cochrane, Tommy Connell, Felix Healy, Ray McCoy, Stephen Carson, Rory Patterson.

Felix Healy being the first, and last, Irish League player to ever play in a World Cup Finals match, 21/6/1982 v Honduras at Zaragoza.

So on Wednesday night their will be a lot of interest in the Green & White for the men who once wore the Blue & White.

 

Hope everyone attending the midweek international enjoy the game and you'll hear from me again before Saturdays Carling Premiership games.

 

 

 

Stripes on form as they end Distillery's unbeaten run

As mentioned in the preview blog of Coleraines trip to Distillery, our away form had been poor, Distillery had been unbeaten since early October and Coleraine had more players out through injury.

Well as the Bannsiders  faithful made the trip to New Grosvenor stadium, there wasn't much faith and it seemed that if we got a point we would be happy. Would Spike hunt us again, who would replace the injured Leon Knight, it was hard to see the positives.

As Coleraine took to the field to face Distillery, who were unbeaten in their last four, the Coleraine support as expected outnumbered the home fans.  Coleraine lined up with McCormick in goals, right back Canning, Beverland and Ogilby in centre half, with Harkness occupying the left back spot.  The midfield was packed with Hegarty back after suspension, McVey, Black, Tommons and Carson, whilst Boyce was up front on his own.  Both sides then impecably observed a minutes silence in remembrance of those brave men and woman who have lost there lives.  We will remember them.

Coleraine came out of the traps fighting and looked up for the game, after early pressing, we had won a corner kick, Carson swung it in and big OG rose above everyone to head the ball into the net and put the Stripes up 1-0. Coleraine didn't stop there, and kept up the pressure, Boyce and Carson were terrorising the whites defence, it wasn't long before it was 2-0, Harkness, played a neat pass to Carson, who beat his man and fed Boyce, Boycie then went on a run, left his defender for dead and slotted past Matthews to make it 2-0, he then ran to the dugout to celebrate his goal and the Bannsiders were well on their way. Boyice who was on fire today, then made it 3-0 as he raced onto a long ball from Beverland, held of his markers and cooly slotted past Matthews to make it 3-0 on the stroke of half time.








A superb first half from Coleraine and the Coleraine fans could enjoy their half time pint a lot better.

In the 2nd half Coleraine came out unchanged, the fans had their pints, tea to warm them up and also it seemed busy at The Whites burger van, as although their ground wasn't up to scratch their burgers were. Coleraine kept up their pace in the 2nd half and still went searching for goals, Distillery had a couple of half chances, Carson also had a stonewall penalty for Coleraine turned down.  Scullion, Harkin and Docherty all got a run out near the end as Coleraine ran out deservedly 3-0 winners, in what was a fantastic attacking and defensive display from the Bannsiders.  To make the afternoon better, news filtered through to the Coleraine fans that Ballymena had been tanked 5-0 at Cliftonville.

So the Coleraine fans headed towards the exit in fine spirits as their team earned three points away from home and their rivals were hammered 5-0. Also well done to the Coleraine support who still came in numbers in what has been a frustrating season for them and a season in where most away trips have not been happy.

Lets hope Coleraine can now go on an unbeaten run and climb up the table, as we are currently only three points of the top six.  Next game - Donegal Celtic away, Saturday 20th November.  As usual a pre match blog will be on this site. So remember to check it out and lets turn out in numbers again to support the team.

Goals from the game

Away Days - Our away form has gone to the dogs

This Saturday sees Coleraine travel up the M1 to face Lisburn Distillery and take on Tommy Wrights men in the Carling Irish Premiership. Distillery play at the New Grosvenor Stadium which is home to both football and greyhound racing.

 

Currently Coleraines away form in the Carling Premiership has been poor, in away games we have only won twice, 2-0 away to Cliftonville and 2-1 away to Glenavon.  We have lost 2-0 away to the Glens, 1-0 away to the Blues, 2-0 away to the Ports, 3-0 away to Dungannon and 2-0 away to the Crues.  So after seven away games we have only scored four goals and conceded eleven,  with five defeats and only two wins, it's time for us to pick up more points on the road and stop this terrible away form which has gone to the Dogs.

 

 

To date this season Distillery have been playing well and picking up a lot of points, which is a great achievement for  ex Northern Ireland goalkeeper Tommy Wright and his lads, considering last season they spent most of the season down at the bottom of the league until they went on an amazing 11 game unbeaten run. This season Lisburn Distillery's last defeat was as far back as Saturday 9th October at home to Crusaders where they lost 4-2, however they are now unbeaten in their last five games.

 

Veteran and Irish League legend Glenn Ferguson is still playing for Distillery which is a remarkable achievement, many thought by now Glenn would have the boots hung up and taking it easy on a Saturday afternoon, but unfortunately for Irish League defenders Fergie is still torturing them and finding the onion bag. Hopefully come Saturday he feels like he wished he had retired and doesn't get a sniff of that onion bag.

 

 

During are dreadful bad run at the start of the season and after losing our first four games we thought our time had come when Distillery came to the showground's. In the 1st half Coleraine had battered Distillery but not a chance was taken and as half time came we still hadn't scored and the game was 0-0.  In the 2nd half up steps none other than a Mr Ferguson to score the winner for Distillery and again Coleraine lost another game.

 

Last season Coleraine failed to win at New Grosvenor, our first visit up there was in the CIS Cup and it was to be short lived as due to torrential rain and I say torrential as it was like there was power hoses in the sky soaking us, the pitch was water logged and after only 15 minutes the game was called off. It was unbearable for the players to play in and luckily for us watching we were under the shed and dry, although it was unpleasant watching a ball sticking in puddles, so we were on the road again and home before the full times had came in.

 

So a new date was arranged for the 1st leg of the game and Distillery ran out 1-0 winners, although Coleraine managed to go through in the cup after knocking The Whites out on penalties in the 2nd leg. Our next visit to New Grosvenor was in December 2009 and again Distillery ran out winners, defeating Coleraine 3-2. Our final trip to Distillery was in May this year and our last game of the season, this time Coleraine didn't lose as the game finished 1-1.  So in our three visits to New Grosvenor last season we failed to win any of them, something Davy Platt will be looking to put right this Saturday and end that hoodoo.

 

Both teams failed to collect three points in their midweek games, Distillery drew 1-1 at home to Ballymena thanks to a Glenn Ferguson goal, yes him again, in the 5th minute of injury time,  whilst Coleraine were defeated 2-1 at home to Glentoran.  Coleraine started the game well, with McVeigh busting the net with a superb strike after nine minutes, things then started to fall apart for Coleraine, Knight went off injured and John Watt came on.  In the 2nd half Coleraine never got going and the Glens made it 1-1, then Aaron Black limped off to be replaced by Scullion. We again lost our shape and before we knew it the Glens were up 2-1.  After a late surge on the Glens goal we failed to equalise and lost 2-1.

Coleraine are currently 8th in the Carling Premiership compared to The Whites who are sitting pretty in 4th have been far too inconsistent this season, with the treatment room always full and the team changing week in week out it's been a tough season for Coleraine and their fans, our latest casualty now could be Leon Knight. So this Saturday we will be facing a Distillery side full of confidence, on an unbeaten run and who have only lost twice in eight home games this season, so the Bannsiders are going to have to dig deep this weekend and battle hard if they are to get any kind of a result.  I always want to see Coleraine win each game, it doesn't happen, but this week I'll gladly take a draw and hope the team can go on an unbeaten run like Distillery have put together.

 

Come on Coleraine lets make us a team hard to beat and end our poor away form.  Lets come out of the traps fighting and take something from Saturdays game.

 

 

 

Info

Opponents one to watch - Gary Browne who has scored 7 league goals this season

Lisburn

Lisburn Distillery's nickname - The Whites

Coleraine have a better defensive record than Distillery by two goals

The Whites have scored 26 goals compared to our 15 goals

Lisburn Distillery Ground - New Grosvenor Stadium

Coleraine have yet to draw a game this season

Admission  - Adults £10 - Concessions £6

Directions - http://blue.srv2.com/~lisburn/Lisburn%20Distillery%20FC-%20Directions%20to%20ground.html

Your chance to avoid mind - numbing soaps - Midweek Football returns

This week midweek football returns, as we rush home from work, rush our tea in us, then it's off out to the game we go, or in the away fans case, it's possibly no tea and a visit to an Irish league burger van instead.  The midweek games breaks the week up, meeting your mates on a Tuesday night for a pre match pint and letting off some steam, compared to being stranded indoors confronted with mind-numbing soaps.

 

Luckily for us this week we have a home game in the Carling Premiership on Tuesday 9th November under the cracking Coleraine floodlights with a 7.45pm kick off against Glentoran FC, and if the result is pleasing it can make the rest of the week at work a lot better. If beat then you can expect your Wednesday to feel like a Monday again.

 

Up Next - The Glens had a cracking start to the season which saw them win six out of their first seven league games in a row.  Darryl Fordyce was scoring for fun and it all seemed rosy for the Glens. Even better for the Glens was in a cold October Tuesday night going into the 90th minute of the game a young striker called Matty Burrows scored what was to prove to be the most talked about goal in the Irish league ever.  I'm sure you have all seen it, read about it and were stunned by it. Why not take another look on the link below. The goal has over 1 million youtube hits, has been on Sky Sports and viewed all over the world - it's even up for a FIFA award. It's good publicity for our league.  So well done Matty, although I hope you aren't planning on unleashing your back heel effort against us tomorrow night.

Burrows wonder goal

 

Coleraines last meeting with the East Belfast men came on a sunny day in August at The Oval, the home of Glentoran Football Club.  Shorts and t-shirts weather it was indeed, however although the sun was shinning Coleraine certainly wasn't and we produced a stinking wet performance.  Then Glens won the game that day 2-0, was hardly a tough game for them as we were poor and at the start of our horrid run, a run which seemed like a marathon by the time it ended and although the fans never took part in that marathon we were knackered watching it.

 

Money Problems - Late October news broke about Glentorans financial situation, Revenue and Customs told the club it will start court proceedings in a bid to recover money it is owed, it was rumoured that they owe the taxman in excess of £250,000 and possibly more. We all know how if feels to be in that situation as we nearly lost our club, and are thankful to the Glens for helping us out at that time.  Maybe our club can return the gesture and help the Glens at some stage.

 

Patterson

Last season Coleraine hammered the Glens SIX nil at the Oval in a game that will live in the memory of both Glentoran and Coleraine fans, Rory Patterson bagged FOUR goals with Carson and Boyce scoring the other two goals.  Patterson certainly had caught the eye of the Glens because a couple of months later Patterson decided that he would join Glentoran at the end of the season, but we all know how that panned out and now Patterson is with English side Plymouth Argyle and not banging in hatricks or four goal performances, however thanks to Rory we also defeated the Glens in their last visit to the Showground's, a game in which Patterson scored a hatrick as we won 4-3.  

Coleraine hit Glens for six

 

Both teams go into this weekends game having defeated the two North Belfast sides 3-1 on Saturday. Coleraine defeated Cliftonville, thanks to two Leon Knight goals, and a superb Carson solo effort. Glentoran now 2nd in the table defeated Crusaders for the first time in the league at the oval since December 2007 with their goals coming from Burrows, Nixon and Steele. Both managers will have taken a lot of positives from their weekend wins and shall be looking to take three points on Tuesday night. 

Coleraine have yet to lose a game in which Leon Knight has played for the Stripes, he has scored five goals in his three games and three of his goals have been headers, considering the size of young Leon he can certainly get of the ground as he has proved.  Leon has boosted the team as a whole and given other players a bit of confidence.  Leon certainly likes to be in the mix and if he keeps scoring for Coleraine, hopefully we can push up the table and into the top six mix. 

 

So come Tuesday night lads and lassies, giver up the soaps, get your coat on and come watch some real football, who knows you might see another Burrows wonder goal or Leon rising to find the net, I hope it's the latter and Coleraine collect another three points. So when the stripes go marching in, make sure your there.

 

C'mon the Bannsiders

 

 

Info

Opponents one to Watch - Matty Burrows

Glentoran Manager - Scott Young

Glentorans nickname - The Glens or The CocknHens

Coleraine have won four of their last five league games at home

Coleraine have not drawn a game in the league yet this season

Current Coleraine players Darren Boyce and David Scullion have both previously played for the Glens

This game is all ticket for Glentoran Supporters only - due to the Health & Safety Clowns currently ruining our game.

Coleraine midfielder Michael Hegarty

Coleraines inform player - Leon Knight

 

Admission £8

 

Tuesday, 9th November, 2010

Carling Premiership (kick-off 7:45pm)Cliftonville v. Glenavon
Coleraine v. Glentoran
Dungannon Swifts v. Crusaders
Linfield v. Donegal Celtic
Lisburn Distillery v. Ballymena United

If you would like to add anything to this article - feel free to comment.