Crusaders v Coleraine Match preivew and Info and goals from last season

When Saturday comes, Coleraine will travel to Seaview on the Shore Road Belfast the home of Crusaders FC (The Hatchetmen) in the Carling Premiership.  Crusaders play on a 4g pitch, unfortunately they don't have a traditional grass pitch, which we would all prefer. No mucky knees from this game or grass stains for the kit man to remove. 

 

Seaview is a compact ground with the fans close to the pitch, an old traditional football stadium etched in history. Coleraine fans have a cracking view from the away end terracing and are close to the action.  There is always a warm welcome for the Coleraine fans in Crusaders Social club and generally an away trip the Coleraine faithful look forward to.  

 

Matches on 3g/4g Synthetic pitches

Coleraine played the Crues for the first time on their 4g pitch last season, Coleraine won 5-2, with Boyce scoring one and Rory Patterson scoring the other four goals in what will be a game Coleraine fans won't forget, for on the morning of the game, news broke that Patterson would be joining Glentoran at the end of the season, Coleraine fans were annoyed at his timing of the announcement and Patterson who came out onto the Seaview pitch late and after the ref had already started the game was booed by the huge travelling Coleraine support.  Typical Patterson however shut them up as he banged in four goals and a fantastic performance as the stripes hammered the Crues 5-2.

 

Coleraine earlier this season won 2-0 on Clintonville's first game on their new 3g pitch, so far these pitches have suited Coleraine FC as we also defeated Moyola Park in a pre season friendly on their synthetic pitch.  Lets hope it continues like this for Saturdays game against the Crues.

 

Crusaders go into this game having lost their last two league games shipping 13 goals, losing at home to Donegal Celtic 5-4 and away to Linfield 8-1.  So although they have taken two bad beatings and conceded a lot of goals they will be looking to tighten up in defence and get back to winning ways.  Coleraine go into the game having won their last league game which was away to Glenavon with Leon Knight bagging two goals in a 2-1 win for the Stripes. Last weekend Coleraine defeated Donegal Celtic 3-2 in a cracking cup tie at the showground's.  Hopefully we can continue unbeaten and take something from Saturdays game.

 

Coleraines last league meeting with Crusaders was back in August, the Crues ran out 3-0 winners, ex crues midfielder and new Coleraine summer signing Aaron Black saw red that day after only 6 minutes, by referee Raymond Crangle who yet again was shocking. Coleraine then faced an uphill struggle for the rest of the game, Crusaders goalscorers where Stuart Dallas with two and Martin Donnelly with the other.

 

Team: O’Hare, Harkness (Watt 83), McVey, Boyce (Lowry 79), Black, Scullion (Hegarty 14), Carson, Canning, McLaughlin, Harkin, Brown.

Unused Subs: Beverland, Tommons

Yellow Card: Canning - Red Card: Black 

 

 

 

 

 

Info

One to Watch - Stuart Dallas

Crusaders Manager- Stephen Baxter

Aaron Black - Ex Crusaders player now plays for Coleraine

Crusaders Nickname - The Hatchetmen

Crues Leading Scorer - Jordan Owens - 9 goals.

Crusaders have scored the most goals in the league this season - 29

Coleraine have scored the least - 11

In their seven home league games the Crues have conceded 17 goals.

Coleraine have conceded 8 goals in seven league home games this season

Coleraine have only won two out of their six away games this season.

 

Admission £10

Goals from Coleraines 5-2 win last season at Seaview

 

Coleraine v Institute - North West Cup Final and the cup's history.

On Tuesday night Coleraine will take on Institute in the final of the North West Cup, the venue will be Coleraine Showgrounds and kick off is 7.45pm. Coleraine won last seasons North West Cup, defeating Limavady on penalties, after 90 mins and extra time the score was 3-3.

 

Coleraine go into this final having won their last two matches, most recently a 3-2 victory over Donegal Celtic at the showgrounds on Saturday in the CIS cup, meanwhile Institute where defeated at home in the same cup 3-0 by Lisburn Distillery.

 

History The North West Cup consists of local teams from the North West FA's jurisdiction which covers County Londonderry and parts of County Tyrone, It originated as the County Derry F.A. Cup in 1887 but became the North West Cup in 1897. Limavady where the first team to win the trophy in 1887/88 and Coleraine hold the record for the most North West Cup trophy wins.  In the 1930's Derry City won the cup seven times and won it six times in the 1960's. Institute last won the trophy in the 2008/2009 season.

Each season Coleraine join the cup at the semi final stage, Intermediate and Championship clubs play in the earlier rounds. Coleraine defeated Limavady 1-0 in the semi final in September at Coleraine showgrounds, with Stephen Carson scoring.

 

Institute last season were relegated from the Carling Premiership, after losing in a play off against Donegal Celtic. This season Institute play in the Championship and our currently 4th from bottom.

 

It should prove an interesting cup final, Coleraine have two ex Institute players now playing for them, Paul Brown and David Ogilby, both whom were signed this season, Institute are managed by John Grieg who is from the Coleraine area, also last season Coleraine were held to a draw at home to Stute and drew twice with Stute away, so in a way Institute have proved to be Coleraine's bogey team.

 

 

Info

One to watch - Joe McCready

Stute were founded in 1905

Manager - John Greig

Paul Brown & David Ogilby both played for Institute last season, now Coleraine players

Coleraine only won once in four games against Institute last season

Coleraine won last seasons North West Cup final

Season tickets are not valid for this game

Admission is £5

 

Ogilby Celebrates scoring for Coleraine

Paul Brown in action as an Institute Player