Coleraine FC claim League Cup in 2-1 Victory

Avec Sport would like to congratulate Club Partners Coleraine FC on their 2-1 victory against Crusaders at Windsor Park at the weekend in the BETMcLean League Cup Final.

HIGHLIGHTS

1-0

Crusaders took an early lead in the 10^th minute. McGonigle was the scorer against his former side to give Crusaders a 1-0 advantage.

1-1

Jamie Glacklin broke into the box and went down after contact by two Crusaders central defenders; the decision was fiercely disputed by Crusaders before referee Ian McNabb awarded the penalty.

Stephen Lowry stepped up and showed no nerves as he equalised for Coleraine from the spot into the bottom corner to make the score 1-1 in the 37^th minute.

The penalty had a huge impact on the game as Crusaders lost their grip on the game, failing to build from their early lead.

2-1

Coleraine striker James McLaughlin beat keeper Sean O'Neill from close range from a header to make the score 2-1, with Cameron Dummigan failing to clear the ball off the line.

Crusaders missed an opportunity to take the game to extra time when McGonigle blazed a shot over the crossbar in the final minutes of the game.

POST MATCH INTERVIEWS

The Bannsiders lifted the cup for the first time since 1987, the second senior trophy under manager Oran Kearny after the 2018 Irish Cup. It’s proving to be a successful season for Coleraine as Oran Kearney’s side currently sit third in the Irish Premiership table, and are through to the Irish Cup quarter-finals.

Coleraine manager Oran Kearney: "We're very pleased. I thought Crusaders were excellent and I'm not sure how it was level at half time. Big James hasn't scored in months and it was written in the stars tonight”.               

Crusaders boss Stephen Baxter: "We felt really disappointed after our performance in the first half. Look, Coleraine got their goal and they held out bravely. They run out here fitting winners”.

For more information visit https://colerainefc.com/news/