GLENS AND COLERAINE DAZZLE WITH CLASSY EUROPA LEAGUE WINS
COLERAINE: Deane, Kane, Canning, Jarvis, Doherty, Lowry, Mclaughlin, Carson (Nixon, 46 mins), O’donnell, Traynor, Allen (Bradley, 62 mins). Unused subs: Gallagher, Douglas, Tweed, Parkhill, Mcguckin.
LA FIORITA: Vivan, Brighi, Di Maio, Damiano (Pieri, 73 mins), Errico (Guidi, 65 mins), Loiodice, Grandoni, Rinaldi, Peluso (Mularoni, 78 mins), Gasperoni, Amati. Unused subs: Venturini, Miori, Pancotti, Zafferani.
Referee: Christian-petru Ciochirca (Austria)
Man of the Match: James Mclaughlin
Match rating: 6/10
COLERAINE set up a testing tie against Slovenian giants NK Maribor as a late strike from James Mclaughlin edged out La Fiorita at The Showgrounds.
The Bannsiders — bedecked in their all-red European strip — were made to work for their win as Mclaughlin pounced with a minute to go.
In a quiet opening to the game, much of the attention was on Austrian referee Christian-petru Ciochirca, who showed his intentions by booking Josh Carson and Aaron Traynor inside the opening 15 minutes.
The first chance arrived soon later when Ben Doherty picked out Curtis Allen inside the box. The ex-glentoran ace took a smart first touch and hit a daisy cutter wide of the far post. A minute later, Doherty would try his luck from distance but he failed to test Gianluca Vivan.
The hosts thought they had taken the lead on 23 minutes as Aaron Traynor’s deep cross found Josh Carson at the back post and his well driven effort was kept out by Vivan.
In a below par first-half, Coleraine almost made the breakthrough via an unlikely source as the ball presented itself to fullback Lyndon Kane inside the box but his drive was blocked by Andrea Brighi.
After Stephen Lowry saw an effort deflected inches wide, the visitors almost took the lead on the stroke of half-time as Armando Amati’s cross evaded a vital touch at the back post.
Bannsiders boss Oran Kearney brought Stewart Nixon on from the bench and the January arrival from Carrick Rangers almost made an immediate impact as his long range effort sailed wide.
There was a moment of anguish for the home side when goalkeeper Gareth Deane — making his debut for Coleraine after joining on a short-term loan deal from Linfield — spilled the ball from Lucio Peluso’s cross, but Aaron Canning was there to clear the danger.
On 67 minutes, the hosts thought they had finally got on the scoresheet when Nixon burst into the box and his cut back found Mclaughlin but the striker was denied by the gloves of Vivan.
From
the
resulting
corner kick, Stephen O’donnell’s glanced a header inches wide of the far post.
There would be further frustration for the Bannsiders on 78 minutes when Aaron Jarvis’ header found the back of the net but it was disallowed for a previous infringement.
There would, however, be late drama at when Traynor’s long pass found the run of Mclaughlin and he expertly controlled the ball and before slotting past Vivan.
The closing minutes saw Kearney’s troops held on for a vital victory that was their first in European competition since 2003. • BALLYMENA United have signed striker Ryan Waide.
The 20-year-old progressed through the ranks at Linfield and spent last season on loan at Dungannon Swifts.