Manchester United’s worldwide fan-base could be estimated at well over 100 million or maybe a lot lot more, but the ground only can fit in around 70,000, maybe not a sell out each week, or maybe it is. But Imagine if a huge percentage of these people supported their local team and helped them, bought their merchandise, paid through their turnstiles, wore their kits, then the game would be a whole lot better off, local teams would benefit more and improve as a club.
We know our league can't compete with the EPL and Sky TV, yes some of us follow English teams or Scottish teams, but we can also support our local team, it's nothing to be ashamed of. So don't just be a cling on - go follow your local team, your club, your town, yes the place you grew up in. Be part of it. Lets help our national league improve and grow, not just other leagues.
So when Saturday comes, get to a ground near you and be part of a club. This weekend Coleraine FC will entertain Cliftonville FC in the Carling Premiership with a traditional Saturday 3pm kick off.
Opponents - Coleraine will face a tough test this Saturday afternoon at the Showground's when the Reds come to town, as they are currently sitting fourth in the Carling Premiership, seven points behind leaders Linfield and have a game in hand. Their fans will also have an improved view of the game since their last visit, as the old terrace fences have been removed and makes for a better view of the match.
Cliftonville have the third best defensive record in the league, conceding 13 goals in 13 games, Coleraine however have conceded 19 goals in 14 league games, add to that the fact Coleraine currently have only scored 11 goals in 14 league games, making them the lowest scorers in the league, something we need to improve on ASAP.
"Coleraine is Singing - So Give us More Goals"
Coleraine however have a great record against Cliftonville recently, our last meeting came on Tuesday 21st September which was the night Cliftonville opened their new 3g pitch. Coleraine ran out 2-0 winners with goals coming from Lowry and Scullion both with headers, that night was our best performance of the season, unfortunately we haven't played to the same standard since, a lot of that is down to injuries and below par performances. Something we need to address quickly and get our club back in the mix for the top six.
Team from that game was O’Hare, Beverland, Hegarty, McVey, Scullion, Carson (Donnell 90), Canning, Watt, Harkin, Lowry, Brown.
Unused Subs Harkness, Mukendi, Boyce, Docherty.
Previous Meetings - Last season Coleraine remained unbeaten in the five games they played against Cliftonville. In the league we won twice at Solitude both 1-0 wins, whilst the two teams drew 3-3 at Coleraine Showground's. Coleraine also met Cliftonville in the CIS Cup quarter final, the Bannsiders won the 1st leg away from home 3-2, whilst in the 2nd leg at Coleraine Showground's the game finished 1-1 which saw Coleraine progress into the CIS Cup quarter finals.
Last weekend both Coleraine and Cliftonville lost, Coleraine were defeated 2-0 away at Crusaders, whilst Cliftonville were beat at home 1-0 by Portadown, so both teams were defeated in North Belfast last weekend.
Coleraine were missing quite a few first teamers last weekend, McVeigh, Scullion, Brown, Knight, Lowry, Harkness, whilst Harkin was just back from injury and on the bench. Coleraines form this season has been pretty poor bar a few wins, so it's important after last weeks slip up that we get more points on the board and hopefully back to winning ways.
Cliftonville have been on a good run lately and it was a surprise to see Portadown go to Solitude last weekend and win. Eddie Patterson will be looking his boys to bounce back and also to take three points of us, something his team hasn't done in a long while, I'm sure that’s a point Eddie will be making to his players.
Whilst Cliftonville and Patterson will know that they have to beat us as it's been a while and they will be looking to do that on Saturday, Davy Platt will know that his team have failed to impress the fans too many times this season and we need to pick points up ASAP, so I expect two teams to be going all out for the win. After missing last Saturdays league game away to Crusaders, Coleraine hope to welcome back Leon Knight into their starting line up and make an impact for the stripes. So far Leon has scored three goals in his two appearances for Coleraine, they do say things come in threes - lets hope so Leon.
It's now November and it appears winter is kicking in, so we can expect a windy, wet Saturday, with tackles flying and cards from the refs pocket as both teams battle to take three points. It won't be one for the faint hearted. Lets hope the fans come out and back the team and help us climb up the table. So don't be a cling-on this weekend and follow your local club.
Info
One to watch - Chris Scannell
Cliftonville Manager - Eddie Patterson
Cliftonville's nickname - The Reds
Cliftonville are the oldest club in Northern Ireland
Coleraine are currently the leagues lowest scorers
Coleraine have been unbeaten in their last six games against Cliftonville
Kick off 3pm
Admission £8
No comments:
Post a Comment