Kearneyhasreadustheriotact,revealsDoherty
MIDFIELDER Ben Doherty admitted that boss Oran Kearney gave Coleraine players some home truths after they suffered their second defeat in three league games at Institute on Saturday.
The Bannsiders, who after a bright opening spell, were second best as Sean Connor’s side deservedly beat the table toppers at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
“It was a poor result and performance and that’s not us and we got the tongue lashing, as you would expect, after the game,” said Doherty.
“It was a bad day at the office for us, we haven’t played well from 1 to 11. There were mistakes all over the pitch.
“Our decision-making wasn’t what it usually is and it’s not the way you play, especially if you want to be title contenders.
“Our performance wasn’t good enough and we let our standards drop.”
The ex-Derry City man also conceded that, for some reason, Coleraine weren’t just right for the third game running.
“Our mentality has been good all year, but we have found a problem these last three weeks against the three teams around the bottom of the table and it’s not usually like us and, to be honest, you can’t really tell why that is,” added Doherty (right).
“Is it mentality? Is it just the performance? But when it’s happening three weeks in a row then you start questioning yourself and maybe it will hit our confidence a wee bit, but we need to try and bounce back on Tuesday night, because we have a massive game at Linfield.”
The 22-year-old, who has been in sparkling form for Coleraine this season, having already scored nine league goals, gave credit to his old club and admitted Stute deserved the three points.
“I’m not bumming ourselves up, but a team sitting top of the league will mean we are a scalp and Institute got themselves up for the game today and maybe’s a lack of mentality on our part, but fair play to them they got the result and that’s what they needed,” he said.
“I think that’s their second win of the season and that gives them a bit of a boost as well, so fair play to them.
As for Connor he was pleased that they secured their first home league success of the campaign.
“It’s really good for our supporters because I think since we’ve come in, we have shown a bit or grit and determination, and it’s always nice when you get three points — it makes it worthwhile coming,” said the Stute boss.
“I’ll go home and have a nice weekend, and everybody goes away the same.
“It’s the power of football and the power of a win, and it also has teams around us looking and seeing Institute have beaten Coleraine.”
INSTITUTE: R Brown, Bradley, Tourish, Leppard, McLaughlin, S Curry (McIntyre, 82 mins), Crown, Tweed, McNamee, G Brown (McGurk, 77mins), McCready (B McLaughlin, 79 mins).
Unused subs: Dunne, Morrow, Wells.
COLERAINE: Johns 5, Kane 5, Douglas (Parkhill 6 h/t), Mullan, Traynor; Jarvis, Lowry, Doherty; Carson, McLaughlin (Bradley, 60 mins), Glackin (Maciulaitis, 22 mins).
Unused subs: McConaghie, Gwane, McGuckin, Gallagher.
Referee: Steven Gregg
Man of the match: Conor Tourish
Match rating: 6/10
WARRENPOINT TOWN: Byrne, Bennett, Reilly, Mullen, Cowan, Wallace, Murnaghan, Watters, Doyle, O’Sullivan, Forde, J O’Connor, 72 mins).
Unused subs: Turker, Smith, Lynch, McCann, O’Kane
BALLYMENA UNITED: Ross Glendinning, T Kane, Ervin, Addis, Balmer, McCullough, Knowles (Lavery, 77 mins), McGinty, McGrory, Lecky, K Kane (Mayse, 67 mins).
Unused subs: Williamson, Harpur, Andrew Burns, Reece Glendinning, Brown.
Referee: Jamie Robinson
Man of the match: Brandon Doyle
Match rating: 6/10