The only way is up

November wasn't a great month, home defeats to Glentoran and Portadown as well as an embarrassing defeat away to 10 man Donegal Celtic.  December saw not a ball kicked, so we entered January not knowing what to expect and with our first two games against Cliftonville and Glentoran, you couldn't blame us for thinking the worst. But things have changed and so far the team is on fire, like the players I'm sure the fans can't wait for Saturdays league game away to Donegal Celtic and hopefully continue the fine form and our march up the table.

 

Fantastic - that describes are first week in January, two home games against Cliftonville and Glentoran and Coleraine score six goals and collect six points, a fantastic effort from the players which gives us a great platform to build on.  The only way is up now as Coleraine aim to enter the top six, if we can keep this unbeaten start up and keep nicking points the rest of the month there's a great chance we could be in the top six or knocking hard at the door come the end of the month. If the players keep putting the effort in that we saw in the last two games, there's no reason why we can't get the results.

 

Since our last meeting with Donegal Celtic back in November we have only played three league games, the last meeting between the two sides saw DC run out 2-1 winners, what was disappointing for Coleraine was that DC had a man sent off in the first minute, it was unacceptable that day that we didn't get anything from the game, hopefully that’s the motivation this weekend for the team to go there and take the points.

 

Donegal Celtic had an excellent win on New Years Eve beating Linfield at home 2-0, they then lost on Tuesday night away at Dungannon, but having beaten the Blues at home, they will believe they can beat anyone at their ground.  However Coleraine will be full of confidence having stepped up to the plate and delivered in fine form in their last two games. We beat a very good footballing side Cliftonville 3-2, thanks to goals from Boyce, a cracking Ogilby free kick and stunning strike from Lowry.  When the Glens came to town on Tuesday night a lot of ones probably expected us to drop points, but once again every player stood up and gave there all for the shirt, Kyle scored a great header to put us 1 up, followed by Black making it 2-0, in the 2nd half, Knight who was being wrestled all night by the Glens defence headed home a 3rd and sent the Bannsiders wild, the Glens pulled one back late on, but the Stripes held on for another great win.

 

We have a lot of games this month and not every player will be able to feature in all games, be it through injury, suspension or whatever reason, but for Saturday I'd like to see the same side out that started against the Glens and lets see Coleraine make it three in a row for 2011.

 

So as we have all settled back into are first week back at work after the holidays and started our new years resolutions, make sure you keep backing the team and hopefully the players and management new years resolutions is to get the club into the top six and maybe another final.

 

 

Match Info

This well be the 4th meeting between the two sides this season, Coleraine have won three and lost one

Donegal Celtic are currently bottom of the Carling Premiership

John Watt of Coleraine will be suspended for this game

Leon Knight has now scored 6 goals in 7 games for the Bannsiders

Donegal Celtic are knows as The Wee Hoops