Shevlin can help Coleraine find groove, insists Allen
STRIKER Curtis Allen believes the arrival of new boy Matthew Shevlin can help drive Coleraine to better things this season.
The Bannsiders have blown hot and cold in the current Danske Bank Premiership campaign, reflected in their disappointing current position of seventh.
But the negativity has evaporated since an alarming defeat at Dungannon Swifts back on December 4. A last-minute goal by Stewart Nixon helped Oran Kearney’s boys nick a crucial 2-1 win at home to Warrenpoint Town, before a James Mclaughlin doubled earned another three points against Cliftonville at Solitude.
Allen reckons the latest results could be the platform to a better new year for his team, especially with former Linfield man Shevlin on board.
“Matthew is a great signing,” he stated. “His arrival will mean there is more pressure on myself, James (Mclaughlin) and Skinner (Eoin Bradley), but that can only be good for the team.
“He will certainly boost our attacking options. He is a good young player, sharp and hungry.
“Matthew has had a couple of years at Linfield but didn’t get much of a look in there. It’s a good opportunity for him. He will keep the rest of us on our toes.
“Personally, I’ve had a stopstart season so far. I haven’t really featured that much. I don’t think I’ve performed poorly, it’s just the way things have gone in terms of the poor start we made. We’ve also had a few injury problems along with a few dismissals.
“I must now get my head down and score some goals because I’ve become a bit frustrated.”
The Bannsiders will look to make it a hat-trick of wins when they entertain Niall Currie’s Carrick Rangers at the Ballycastle Road Showgrounds today.
“We came off a poor run of results, but we got a late winner against Warrenpoint and that helped breathe a bit of new belief into the team,” added Allen.
“It showed the winning mentality was still there. We then went to Solitude to claim another good (2-0) win. It was an even enough game with few chances, but James came off the bench to score twice. We are now full of confidence and can’t wait to get back on the pitch.”