(FM'09) A Trip Down 'The Bann', The Return To Ulster - A Chance To Rewrite History, Part V

[neilhoskins77]

Wednesday 5th August
The first small step to getting the wage budget down is taken this morning, with Scott Francis moving on loan to Ballymoney United of the Second Division for the season, with them taking on his £75 per week wages for the duration as well. We do have an option to recall him if we need to. I'm looking forward to seeing what the 17 year old left winger can do given some regular First Team football.

Likely to be one of the next out of the door is Chris Jones. Twenty one clubs were in for the 19 year old right winger, but that is whittled down to half a dozen with offers to take him from clubs in Northern Ireland automatically rejected. That leaves him with four offers from across the water, including Huddersfield Town and Newport County, or the chance to move south, with Fanad United or Sporting Fingal. If he were leave, and Robbie Fisk and Aaron Smyth joined him, we would then be bang on the Wage Budget, though I'd still need a new goalkeeper and have Gambia International centre back Ryan Young due to join us September 1st.

Some more progress was made late on in the day, with over fifty clubs making offers to take Fisk. Twenty eight of them have their offers accepted, meaning Fisk has plenty of choice, and he'll likely be on his way from the club in the next few days.

Thursday 6th August
And there's the hatrick, with four of six offers for Aaron Smyth accepted, and we are well on the way to getting back to the Wage Budget number, though at the cost of some vital squad depth.

That's squad depth we could need down the line too, as after meeting with their representative, I have put a higher squad payout on the line if the players can earn us promotion. It might have been irresponsible with the clubs financial situation, but the difference is £1,200, and promotion would be worth much more than that to us in TV money, sponsors and ticket sales.

This evening we play a Friendly against Portstewart of the Second Division. We have a working relationship with the club just five miles up the road from us on the Northern Ulster coast, and we are obliged to play this one, though we are not obliged to play a full strength team. This is the last of a trio of Pre-Season Friendlies for them, winning their opening two at Seahaven against Killyleagh and Armagh City, and they will then start their season at home to Dergview this weekend. Richard Salisbury is on loan at the club, and has found the net in both of those pre-season tilts, though he won't be available to play against us today.

Friendly
Seahaven, Portstewart
Portstewart v Coleraine
Attendance :- 166. Weather :- Breezy, Wet. 19c.

I planned to bring a well under strength squad for the short trip up the M2, but with the news that it will be nearly a fortnight before we play again, I've decided to start with a stronger side, and then bring in the younger players from the bench. After two League wins, a result isn't very important, but it would be nice to keep the momentum going. Ray Doran gets a quick chance to make amends, and he will be fresher than most after playing less than a half of football on Tuesday evening. Stewart Devine returns at left back and has a chance to get some match fitness, while Robert Donaghy starts at centre back with Andy Dickinson. There's a chance to impress for Keith Steenson, the Club Captain, who partners Gavin Whelan, with Chris Johnston and Matty Robson on the wings, and Pat McIlroy is up front with Gerry Nixon. The subs bench is almost entirely young players, with some added experience in the form of Declan O'Hara and John Robertson.

Portstewart had two chances in the opening ten minutes, Roy Moore's shot from range was well over the bar, while from a little closer in, Bryan Ure kept his effort down with a low curler which Gerard Doherty had to get down near his post to stop and hold onto. His next shot was higher, but Doherty was equal to that one too, tipping the ball over the bar. We came very close in the 20th minute, Gerry Nixon flicking the ball on and finding Pat McIlroy, who's shot from the corner of the box was inches wide of the far post as it curled away at the last second. Five minutes later, Nixon played provider again, his through ball sending Matty Robson into space on the left channel of the box. But with options aplenty, he was clearly caught in two minds, neither squaring for a team mate or shooting, and the ball went harmlessly through the six yard box and out for a goal kick. Nixon took a knock late in the half, as John Hunter sent over a cross from the left that Stewart Devine had to head to safety, while the half ended as it had started, with Moore sending a shot over the bar.

Nixon came off at the break, replaced by Andy McMillan, while Devine also came off as he returned from injury, with Jason Campbell coming on in his place. The poor finishing from the first half continued into the second half though, Warren Smith and Robson swapping chances that were both sent well over the bar. Robson took a more direct approach from a corner as the hour approached, his inswinging effort coming back off the near post. Just after the hour mark I made a few more changes, Ray Doran, Keith Steenson, Gavin Whelan and Chris Johnston all coming off, and replaced by mostly younger players, Robbie Walsh, John Robertson, Greg White and Colin Canning. And midway through the half, it helped produce the best chance we had created so far. Walsh fed Roberton, who slipped it on to McIlroy. The striker found Canning on the right, and he used some neat footwork to find a way between two blue shirted Portstewart players, and then one more challenger, before sending a diagonal pass into the box for McMillan, his low shot across goal stopped by keeper Chad McEwan. But moments later, we were behind, caught out at the back as Ure sent a through ball between our centre backs, and half time sub Johnny Watson was alert, chasing through, taking a touch, and guiding his low shot beyond Doherty's dive and just inside the far post to open the scoring. We attempted to hit back, McIlroy collecting the ball inside the box from a Robson throw in, shooting on the turn after rolling his marker, but only hitting the side netting. I emptied the bench, replacing the remaining players who had been on since the start, Doherty, Robert Donaghy, Andy Dickinson, Robson and McIlroy. They were replaced by Trevor Smyth, Declan O'Hara, Glenn Harbinson, James Nicholl and Darren Doyle. But we wouldn't manage to find an equaliser, or even a good opportunity to find one.

Portstewart (0) 1 - Johnny Watson (71)
Coleraine (0) 0
Gerard Doherty (Trevor Smyth 77); Ray Doran (Robbie Walsh 63), Robert Donaghy (Declan O'Hara 77), Andy Dickinson (Glenn Harbinson 77), Stewart Devine (Jason Campbell 45); Keith Steenson © (John Robertson 63), Gavin Whelan (Greg White 63); Chris Johnston (Colin Canning 63), Matty Robson (James Nicholl 77); Gerry Nixon (inj - Andy McMillan 45), Pat McIlroy (Darren Doyle 77).
Unused Substitutes :- Matthew Dornan.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 45% - 55%. Man of the Match :- Bryan Ure (Portstewart).

That wasn't a terrible outing, and with some better finishing, we could have come away with a win. Despite conceding the goal once the substitutions were being made, some of the youngsters showed up well, and with our squad depth likely to be tested during the season, some of them could yet be called upon yet.

It won't just be players leaving that will test that squad depth, injuries will also play their part. Gerry Nixon's injury was a little worse that first feared, the Scottish striker will join compatriot Stuart Shaw on the sidelines for a while after suffering a groin strain. It will likely keep him out until early to mid September.

Our fixture plans have just changed, which means an even longer gap between games. We were scheduled to face Wakehurst on Tuesday 18th August, but that game has now been pushed back to Wednesday 2nd September, due to Wakehurst now having a fixture with Queens University in the Antrim Cup First Round. So it's now Saturday 22nd August before we are scheduled to play again, a home match with Carrick Rangers.

Monday 10th August
Gerard Doherty had a stranglehold on the position as goalkeeper in the First Division Team of the Week last season, and he has claimed it again in the first team naming of the new campaign. Irish midfielder Gavin Whelan joins him in the selection.

Outgoing news, and two deals are completed today. Robbie Fisk and Chris Jones will both head back across the Irish Sea, and home to England. Centre back Fisk has signed for Barrow of the Blue Square Premier League, taking a pay rise for the move as well. 19 year old right winger Chris Jones will play at a higher level, as he has signed for Coca-Cola League One side Huddersfield Town. Not surprisingly, he has also taken a pay rise, more than trebling his salary. With Aaron Smyth expected to leave in the next few days, I'll have got the club back down to bang on the ceiling of the wage budget. That should, I hope, mean that the Board will allow the signing of Gambia International centre back Ryan Young to go through at the start of September.

Tuesday 11th August
The draw has been made for the First Round of the Northern Irish League Cup, the first of three domestic Cups that we are scheduled to be involved in this season. It's all First Division teams in this stage, and the draw is middle of the road for us, as we face Police Service of Northern Ireland. It's a two legged tie, with the First Leg away from home at Newforge Lane in Belfast, with the return in Coleraine the following Tuesday 1st September. That means two more match rearrangements, with the League match away to Wakehurst moved from the date of the Second Leg back to Saturday 5th September, and the home match with Donegal Celtic moved from Wednesday 9th September back to Friday 18th September.

Saturday 15th August
Our Under-18's have kicked off their Group 1 campaign this lunchtime, with a 1-1 draw at the Newry Showgrounds against Newry City. We took the lead in the 7th minute, with a goal from Youth Intake striker Martin Friars. There was an equaliser midway through the second half from left back Simon Goodall.

Tony Jones is back in training after recovering from the arm injury he suffered in pre-season. The 20 year Scot will be our first choice at right back, and brings another attacking dimension to our game. He'll have to wait a little bit longer to get amongst the action though, as Saturday's match against Carrick Rangers in the League is off, as they are now playing an Antrim Trophy match instead. With that match now scheduled for Wednesday 23rd September, our next game is now ten days away against Lisburn Distillery, who we'll travel to face on Tuesday 25th August. Assuming that goes ahead, it will be three weeks between competitive matches by then.

Sunday 16th August
News from the ticket office, and it isn't good news. The fans have not reacted well to a second consecutive season in the second tier, and have voted by not putting their hands in their pockets. And I don't necessarily blame them either. We have lost 15% of our season ticket take up from last season, dropping from 128 down to just 108 sold.

Monday 17th August
28 year old Northern Irish right back Aaron Smyth becomes the last of the trio that I decided to move on to make his move. It's a return to England for a second spell for Smyth, who will join Coca-Cola League Two side Lincoln City. Like the two who left before him, he has also secured himself a pay rise as well. Moving the trio's wages out of the door has immediately relieved the pressure on myself from the Boardroom, with the status right away changing to them being satisfied with the job I'm doing.

The timing is very interesting, as I'm named as a potential contender for a job in Europe, where the club have sacked their Caretaker Manager over the summer after they narrowly avoided relegation last season. It's a country I'm interested in going to, and a club that has some potential. I'm interested. Not to be this time though, as by the end of the day they had selected their new man in charge.

Friday 21st August
17 year old right winger Colin Canning has signed a three year Part Time Contract today to replace his Youth Contract. The six footer who made his Senior League debut last season, won't pick up a weekly wage, but will be paid an appearance fee should he make First Team appearances. That's not beyond possibility either after Chris Jones' departure. I would like to see him take a step forward though now he has his new deal.

[neilhoskins77]

Saturday 22nd August 2015
At The Showgrounds this lunchtime, our Under-18's battered Ards youngsters 4-1. The damage was mostly done by our defenders, with centre back Paul McMaster putting us in front, only for Roy McKee to equalise two minutes later. Right back Robbie Walsh had us back in front before the break, setup by Masters knock down from a free kick, David McLoughlin put the ball into his own net, and Masters rounded it off with a second.

The First Team squads away match with Wakehurst has been pushed back by a month, with the hosts now playing in the Antrim Trophy on September 5th, with a new date of Wednesday 7th October pencilled in.

Monday 24th August
We finally return to competitive action tomorrow evening, as we travel into Lisburn to face one of the promotion favourites, Lisburn Distillery, at their New Grosvenor Stadium. They were relegated last season, finishing bottom of the Premier Division by fifteen points. That relegation cost them several of their players, and they still have several who would like to move on before next weeks Transfer Deadline. They're narrow favourites for the points, but the bookies anticipate a close match.

Tuesday 25th August

Northern Irish First Division
New Grosvenor Stadium, Lisburn
Lisburn Distillery v Coleraine
Attendance :- 185. Weather :- Strong Winds, 21c.

This should be a very tough early season test for us, and we will likely have a much better idea of where we sit amongst the favourites. The starting lineup sees half a dozen changes from the side that won against Bangor in our last competitive match three weeks ago. Both full backs are changed, with Tony Jones and Stewart Devine replacing Ray Doran and Jason Campbell. There is a change in the midfield, with Gavin Whelan replacing Michael McCartney, while Matty Robson replaces Ryan Twist on the left wing, despite the latter netting the winner at Clandeboye Park. Both the strikers that started that day are injured, Stuart Shaw and Gerry Nixon replaced by Pat McIlroy and Andy McMillan. There is a distinct lack of depth on the bench, with Matthew Dornan summoned up from the Reserves as an attacking option amongst the substitutes.

We took early control of the midfield, and showed some nice slick passing from the outset. Keith Steenson placed a through ball perfectly for Andy McMillan in the 5th minute, the striker attempting to slide his shot under the dive of Michael McDermott, but the keeper made a smart stop to keep him out. And McMillan would have no chance to make amends for that miss, as he was forced off with injury in the 13th minute, replaced by Michael McCartney, in a change that meant Gavin Whelan moving to right wing, and Chris Johnston moving up front. At the other end, Liam Shepherd cut back inside Declan O'Hara to hit a shot from the edge of the box on the quarter of an hour mark, but blazed the ball over the bar. Skipper of the home side Neal Gawley was starting to find some room down the Distillery left, and a neat one-two with George Beckett got him into space in the box, but he sent his shot wide. The pair taking the shots would both try again before the break, Shepherd from point blank range, Gerard Doherty off his line quickly and spreading himself to leave nothing to shoot at and make the stop, before Gawley tried to catch him out with a free kick from out wide on the right, aiming for the near top corner when everyone expected a cross, but his effort was too high. Goalless at the break.

We were well in the game without being on top, and I was hoping that we could continue in that manner at the very least in the second half. Unfortunately, Distillery had other ideas. Lee John and Michael Leary ganged up on Stewart Devine to rob him of possession, and they got the ball to Dean Rodgers. The striker moved infield to drag a few defenders with him, then sent the ball left, where Gawley was in acres of space. He shaped to shoot across goal, and then slammed his shot low and inside Doherty's near post to put the home side in front. With their defence untroubled on the whole so far, Distillery gave it almost 20 minutes, and then started to make some changes to move into a more defensive mindset. They were still adjusting when Matty Robson pinged the ball into the box from the left, picking out the feet of Pat McIlroy. The striker managed to turn, and was shaping to shoot at goal when Brian George barreled into him and conceded a penalty. Full back Tony Jones stepped up, and he blasted the equaliser low into the bottom corner! Robson was replaced by Ryan Twist shortly after as we looked to go in for the kill, but it was Distillery who pushed forward, substitutes James Cairnduff and Peter Carlisle linking up, but the latters cross from the left was overhit, and the ball rolled harmlessly out for a throw in. I hope we can stay for a few drinks after the game, they do make booze here after all.

Lisburn Distillery (0) 1 - Neal Gawley (57)
Coleraine (0) 1 - Tony Jones (75 pen)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Andy Dickinson, Declan O'Hara, Stewart Devine; Keith Steenson ©, Gavin Whelan; Chris Johnston, Matty Robson (Ryan Twist 77); Andy McMillan (inj - Michael McCartney 13), Pat McIlroy.
Unused Substitutes :- Robert Donaghy, John Robertson, Matthew Dornan.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 45% - 55%. Man of the Match :- Neal Gawley (Lisburn Distillery).

An early season point on the road against one of the promotion contenders who were relegated last season, we'll absolutely take it after winning our opening two. We are knocked off the top by Annagh United after their home win over Armagh City, though we do have a game in hand on last seasons Second Division Champions. In good news, Andy McMillan's injury was nothing more than an impact knock, and he will be fine for the next assignment on the weekend, when we switch into Cup football mode.

Wednesday 26th August
Speaking of Cup football, our Under-18's jump into action tonight in the Under-18's Cup. Once more, they are home to Ards, and once more centre back Paul McMaster finds the net. That was as good as it got for our youngsters though, as Andy Gilmore quickly equalised, and Jackie McKillip blasted home an early second half penalty. That's our kids Cup adventure over in double quick time.

Friday 28th August
Lets hope the Senior side can make a better job of their Cup task, as we prepare for the First Leg of the League Cup tie in Belfast against the Police Service of Northern Ireland. We're the favourites for the tie, and if we can grab an away goal at Newforge Lane, we should set ourselves up nicely for the Second Leg back at The Showgrounds next week.

Saturday 29th August

Northern Irish League Cup, First Round, First Leg
Newforge Lane, Belfast
Police Service of Northern Ireland v Coleraine
Attendance :- 186. Weather :- Breezy, 22c.

We are unchanged in both starting lineup and matchday squad for our first trip into the Capital this season, and with PSNI going with only Ross Rooney up front, we were quickly able to control the ball, get it moved around with our short passing, and set about picking a way into their penalty box. Andy McMillan held the ball up and threaded it through to the overlapping Matty Robson, the wingers shot was right at keeper Gordon O'Brien though. Declan O'Hara picked up a slightly harsh booking as we headed towards the 20 minute mark, before Joe Porter unleashed a long shot at goal that didn't unduly trouble Gerard Doherty. As the half wore on, Rooney was becoming more and more isolated up front, though we were not able to break them down too often. Rooney did get possession on the left of the box just before the break, but by the time he got the ball on his right foot and decided to shoot, he was surrounded by three defenders and couldn't get a shot through. Still goalless at half time.

The early moments of the second half showed little change to the dynamic of the game, Rooney resorting to shooting from almost 40 yards out, a dipping effort that wasn't dipping enough. He got closer five minutes later, moving short to collect the ball from a throw in, and then playing a one-two before sending in another shot that beat Doherty, only to see it crash back off the cross bar. With the hour mark approaching though, we finally found a way through the PSNI defence, Stewart Devine and Keith Steenson doing the set up work down the left, the latter finding Robson just outside the left corner of the box. Pat McIlroy was unmarked at the far post, and clearly O'Brien was expecting the cross, and Robson caught him out, sending a low and skidding shot inside the near post before the keeper could get back across goal! That was the away goal we were after, and with quarter of an hour to play, I make my changes, Steenson, Gavin Whelan and McMillan all coming off, John Robertson, Michael McCartney and Matthew Dornan coming on. Predictably, we would then suffer an injury as we went into the last ten minutes, Chris Johnston limping out of a tackle and unable to continue. Even with only ten men, we still almost added a second, Robson waving everyone into the six yard box as he prepared to hit in a corner, and then sent the pass to the edge of the box, McCartney walking onto the ball and sending a curling shot through the crowd and inches wide of the goal frame.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (0) 0
Coleraine (0) 1 - Matty Robson (59)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Andy Dickinson, Declan O'Hara, Stewart Devine; Keith Steenson © (John Robertson 74), Gavin Whelan (Michael McCartney 74); Chris Johnston (inj - 81), Matty Robson; Andy McMillan (Matthew Dornan 74), Pat McIlroy.
Unused Substitutes :- Robert Donaghy, Ryan Twist.
Bookings :- Declan O'Hara 17
Possession :- 41% - 59%. Man of the Match :- Matty Robson (Coleraine).

A second goal at the end would have made our job in midweek in the Second Leg much easier of course, but with the home leg to come and a goal advantage, we're in the box seat. And with the news that Gerry Nixon is now fit to resume training, we also have a bit more squad depth available to us as well. There is also the Transfer Deadline Day on Monday as well, where we will have our last chance to complete any business.

Our Senior side were not the only winners today too, as our Under-18's went into Portadown and beat them 3-1 at Shamrock Park. Full back Jason Campbell and forward Joseph Nixon put us two up with less than a quarter of an hour on the clock. Nigel Spence pulled one back with a few minutes to play, but as Portadown poured forward to search for an equaliser, we caught them on the break, and Martin Friars wrapped up the points. Our youngsters are top of Group 1.

Sunday 30th August
Seven loan offers are sent today as we attempt to get a head start on our Transfer Deadline moves. But by the end of the day, five of the players have said no despite being the green light by their clubs.

There is at least some good news, with Pat McIlroy called up to represent Northern Ireland Under-21's in their double header of UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifiers in the International Window that starts this coming week. Despite failing to find the net so far this season, he'll be hoping to feature against Bosnia & Herzegovina at the Maze National Stadium in Lisburn, and against Denmark in Farum. 

Monday 31st August
We are preparing for the Second Leg of the League Cup tie with Police Service of Northern Ireland tomorrow evening. The two remaining players we have loan offers out for have both rejected the move, which means I may as well pack up for the day now with no other incomings or outgoings expected.

The speculation in the press is that I might be packing up for good in Coleraine though, with more rumours that I could soon be leaving the club to take a job elsewhere.

[neilhoskins77]

Tuesday 1st September 2015
The Transfer Window slams closed, and we were involved in no further business. The Board have allowed our already agreed deal to sign Ryan Young to go through though, and the Gambian International centre back is in the country and available to play tonight if we choose to select him. He isn't match fit, and he will be quickly leaving the country again this week, as he is included in the Gambia Senior Squad for their 2016 African Cup of Nations Qualifying fixture, which is being held in Banjul, his hometown, against Mauritania, and which they'll be red hot favourites for. If selected to play, Young will win his second International Cap. The 6'2 eighteen year old is also the holder of a British passport, and has signed for us on a Free Transfer from Ports Authority FC, but has never played a Senior club match. That hasn't stopped the fans being very excited about his arrival.

I might not quite be done in building my squad for the rest of the year yet either. The Window may be closed, but we can still sign Free Agents, and I'm going to see if the Board will also allow the signing of a goalkeeper on a cheap contract to provide us some competition and cover for Gerard Doherty, who has got over his poor Pre-Season and instead carried over last seasons form.

Annagh United are the early pacesetters in the First Division, albeit they have played one more game than us and are a point ahead. But there's no denying what a great job Keith Wilkinson has done for the Second Division Champions in preparing them for life in the second tier, and he is the deserving winner of the August Manager of the Month Award, with myself the Runner-Up and Gavin Arthur of Police Service of Northern Ireland in third. Arthur's side are our opponents this evening at The Showgrounds.

Northern Irish League Cup, First Round, Second Leg
The Showgrounds, Coleraine
Coleraine v Police Service of Northern Ireland (Coleraine lead 1-0 on aggregate)
Attendance :- 209. Weather :- Breezy, 24c.

Some small changes only from the team that won in Belfast on the weekend. Chris Johnston is dropped to the bench today after coming off late with an injury in the First Leg, and as a result Gavin Whelan moves to the right wing, and Michael McCartney starts in midfield. On the bench, Robert Donaghy and Matthew Dornan are left out, with new arrival Ryan Young brought in for a potential debut, and Gerry Nixon is also recalled to the matchday squad after returning from injury.

A dream start, with Matty Robson curling over a sixth minute corner, and Declan O'Hara getting on the end of it at the edge of the six yard box, and forcing the ball home from close range, his first goal for the club, and we quickly double our aggregate lead! Unfortunately, PSNI were level almost as quickly, Stephen McAllister's short throw on the right found Ross Rooney, and he picked out Joe Porter near the corner of the penalty box, his first time rising and curling shot beat Gerard Doherty and found the net after crashing off the underside of the cross bar. Our visitors were now on the front foot, and trying to force themselves level in the tie. James Forsythe had a shot blocked, while Murray Gamble's run and cross down the left needed to be headed clear by O'Hara with Rooney waiting to knock it in. Rooney did connect with the next one though, sending his header just wide of the target, before Andy Carmichael hit the bar with a first time shot that had Doherty beat. We attempted to get ourselves back on the front foot, and with a role reversal from our early goal, O'Hara sending a cross field pass from centre back to pick out Robson on the left corner of the box, the winger bringing the ball down and sending in a shot, Gordon O'Brien turning his effort over. Before the break, Robson was played in again, this time by Pat McIlroy, but his attempt to push it inside the near post was wide.

We were pushed into a change at the break, right back Tony Jones coming off with his lack of match fitness, and Andy Dickinson moving into his position, with new signing Ryan Young coming on for not just his Coleraine debut, but his Senior Club debut. That reshuffle may have caused some early confusion in our defence, Gamble stepping infield and sending a low diagonal cross into the box which was just too far in front of O'Hara for him to reach, and Rooney nipped in and buried his low shot! Now PSNI are in front by virtue of having two away goals to our one. We needed to get ourselves back in front in the tie as quickly as possible, and did so eleven minutes later. Another corner, this time from the other side which Gavin Whelan sent over, O'Hara battling with Brian Magee to meet the ball, and while they did that, Robson nipped in front of the pair and guided his header into the bottom corner! McAllister's free kick attempt to get PSNI right back in front was high and wide of the top corner he aimed for, and we pushed ourselves further ahead midway through the second half, Keith Steenson playing Robson into acres of space down the left, and his curling cross found Whelan pulling away from the shoulder of his marker at the far post, and he sidefooted home from eight yards out. Rooney missed a quick chance to get PSNI back on terms for the night when he got between our centre backs but sent his shot over the bar. I made my second change moments later, with Andy McMillan replaced by Gerry Nixon, a change that paid dividends moments later. Steenson danced through their defence, and then slipped a pass into the path of Nixon, who sent his low shot past O'Brien and inside the near post to make it 4-2 on the night, and a three goal advantage overall. That finally seemed to put a terminal dent in our visitors ambitions, and I made my final change late on, Michael McCartney coming off, Whelan moving into midfield, and Chris Johnston coming on to finish the match on the right wing. We could, and should, have added another late on, with the set piece nearly delivering again, Whelan's corner finding the head of Nixon, but the Scottish striker couldn't get his downward header on target. Not that it mattered tonight.

Coleraine (1) 4 - Declan O'Hara (6), Matty Robson (58), Gavin Whelan (67), Gerry Nixon (76)
Police Service of Northern Ireland (1) 2 - Joe Porter (12), Ross Rooney (47)
(Coleraine win 5-2 on aggregate)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones (Ryan Young 45), Declan O'Hara, Andy Dickinson, Stewart Devine; Keith Steenson, Michael McCartney (Chris Johnston 81); Gavin Whelan, Matty Robson; Andy McMillan (Gerry Nixon 71), Pat McIlroy.
Unused Substitutes :- John Robertson, Ryan Twist.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 55% - 45%. Man of the Match :- Matty Robson (Coleraine).

No doubt about Man of the Match in that one, Matty Robson scored a vital goal and added a pair of assists to go with it as well. The English left winger now has two goals and three assists in just four matches in all competitions, a fabulous start to the campaign as he looks to see off the challenge of new signing Ryan Twist for his place in the side.

Wednesday 2nd September
The draw is quickly made for the Second Round of the Northern Irish League Cup, which is made up entirely of clubs at our First Division level. We are paired with Carrick Rangers, who we will entertain in the First Leg at The Showgrounds a fortnight on Saturday, with the return the following Wednesday night at Taylor's Avenue. That means our home League game with Donegal Celtic, which was scheduled for the date of the First Leg, has been pushed back a week, while the we were already due to face Carrick, albeit at home, on the date of the Second Leg. That game has now been pushed back to mid-October. Either way, it's now ten days before we play again.

Friday 4th September
Pat McIlroy won his 8th cap for Northern Ireland Under-21's this evening, as he started in Lisburn at the Maze National Stadium against Bosnia & Herzegovina in the home sides second Qualifier in Group 2 of the UEFA 2017 European Under-21 Championships, having lost in Greece in the summer. And they lost again tonight, Neil Miskelly of Accrington Stanley equalising quickly after Dragan Muksumic had put the visitors ahead. McIlroy was substituted just after the hour following a pretty average outing. The young Northern Irish side looked set to earn a point, but with four minutes remaining Nedzad Karic slotted home the winner in front of a crowd of almost 8,000.

Saturday 5th September
At a wet and windy Showgrounds this lunchtime, right winger Colin Canning curled home a 53rd minute winner for our Under-18's as they hosted Donegal Celtic in their Group 1 match. Our youngsters did have to hold on in the final twenty minutes or so, as centre midfielder Gary Campbell was shown a second yellow card in the 71st minute. The win keeps the three point lead at the top of the table, as their unbeaten start to the League season continues.

The Senior sides League match with the Donegal Celtic side, which has already been rescheduled once this week, is now moved again, pushed back to the 21st October with Celtic now hosting Crusaders in the Antrim Cup three weeks today.

[neilhoskins77]

Sunday 6th September 2015
The question was asked as to whether the Board would allow me some extra Wage Budget leeway to bring in a much needed goalkeeper to provide both cover and competition for Gerard Doherty. The answer was given today, an emphatic no from the suits upstairs. A deal was agreed today to sign 21 year old Free Agent goalkeeper Anthony Moran. The 6'2 Brading born shot stopper played twice in the Coca-Cola Championship for Leeds United two years ago, and has since turned out for Stranraer in Scotland and more lately, Tamworth last season in the Blue Square Premier. He was ready to sign a two year deal today, but the deal is veto'ed in the Boardroom, and we have to go with what we have unless we sell or fire more players.

Wednesday 9th September
The Board have selected our match with Police Service of Northern Ireland next Tuesday evening as a designated fan event. Any adult attending the match can bring a child at half the normal price. Could work as a deterrent for naughty kids I suppose........

Friday 11th September
Before that we have a trip to face the early pace setters of the First Division. They might have played twice as many games as us so far, but the points on the board are always the best way, and Annagh United have twelve of them from six games so far to hold a five point lead at the top. They're unbeaten so far this season after being promoted as Champions from the Second Division, and one of the main keys to their success is the form of 30 year old forward Kyle McDowell, a new signing at the club from Police Service of Northern Ireland, who has matched his goal tally from last season already, and we are not even at the mid-September point yet. All that said, they go into tomorrows game as the underdogs, with the bookies backing us to take a big chunk out of their lead tomorrow afternoon in Portadown.

Saturday 12th September
Would a comfortable win for the Under-18's be a good omen for the weekend? Lets hope so, as our lads gave Crusaders youngsters a pasting at The Showgrounds this morning. Left winger Stuart Wilson put them ahead early on, before centre back Paul McMaster continued his excellent run of goalscoring before the half hour mark. Joseph Nixon added a third before the break, and then completed the scoring with his second a couple of minutes from time. The only fly in the ointment on their way to keeping their lead in Group 1 was a late injury to Robbie Walsh, nothing too serious for the 17 year old utility player though.

Northern Irish First Division
Tandragee Road, Portadown
Annagh United v Coleraine
Attendance :- 286. Weather :- Dry, 13c.

We visit the early league leaders in Portadown, where our back four stays the same as it was for the win at home to Police Service of Northern Ireland a week and a half ago in our only game of September so far. John Robertson returns to the side in midfield, while Gavin Whelan is also back in the middle of the park, with Chris Johnston playing on the right wing today. Up front, Gerry Nixon replaces Andy McMillan. On the left wing, Matty Robson makes his 50th League appearance for Coleraine. There is a place on the bench again for Ryan Young, who is looking to make his Senior League debut today.

We started at a hectic pace, setting about the league leaders from the off. Chris Johnston made ground down the right and crossed into the far post area, where Gerry Nixon chested it down into the path of Matty Robson, his low driven shot stopped by keeper Jason Moore. Moments later, Declan O'Hara spread the ball wide from centre back, setting Robson off against William Braniff. The winger easily won the race, and sent over a cross that Pat McIlroy looked to get on the end of, Ross Nelson grabbing his shoulder and sending the striker spinning to the ground, the ref pointing to the spot. Tony Jones made no mistake from 12 yards out, emphatically finding the top corner, and we had an early lead. The pace settled down a bit after that, as United struggled to gain a foothold in the game, we held them mostly into their own half, passing the ball nicely and pulling them back and forth across the park. McIlroy in particular was looking sharp and keen to take advantage, sending a shot just past the top corner midway through the half. The only response Annagh could muster was an off target Evan Forsythe header from a whipped in Jamie Rice free kick. Robson tried to increase our lead with a cheeky corner that he tried to swing inside the near post, just failing as his effort swung a little too early and hit the side netting.

That was a very satisfactory first half of football for us, and with our hosts losing Rice at the break, our chances would seemingly only be getting better of travelling home with three points. Joe Holmes was now out on the left for them, and he linked with their remaining dangerman Kyle McDowell, but his shot was from a long way out and caused Gerard Doherty no issues. William Canning did get close from range moments later, his shot coming back off the cross bar and into the waiting hands of our keeper. But in the 66th minute the play swung back to the other end, and Stewart Devine had all kinds of time on the left to decide what he was going to do with the ball. He picked out McIlroy twenty yards out, who's dominance in the air was now meaning the defence were letting him jump unopposed and deal instead with the knock downs. This time the ball was pinged in to his feet though, and with space to turn, he sent a low skidding shot wide of Moore's dive and into the bottom corner. His first goal for the club at last, and his popularity clear as the whole team rushed to celebrate with him. Scott Stevenson tried to hit back for Annagh, running off the shoulder of Andy Dickinson, but his shot was right at Doherty, while down our end, Robson drove a shot just wide and into the hoardings behind the goal. I didn't see United scoring today, much less scoring twice, and I moved us into a more defensive 4-1-4-1, Nixon replaced by Keith Steenson who would sit in front of the back four as we attempted to clog up the midfield and make life yet more difficult for the league leaders. The clock was on our side now, and I took more time off it by spacing out our changes, O'Hara replaced in the 83rd minute to give Ryan Young a Senior club league debut, and with moments remaining, Gavin Whelan moved out to the wing as Johnston was replaced by Michael McCartney. The points were ours, and we had done it in excellent fashion as well.

Annagh United (0) 0
Coleraine (1) 2 - Tony Jones (5 pen), Pat McIlroy (66)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Declan O'Hara (Ryan Young 83), Andy Dickinson, Stewart Devine; John Robertson, Gavin Whelan ©; Chris Johnston (Michael McCartney 89), Matty Robson; Gerry Nixon (Keith Steenson 69), Pat McIlroy.
Unused Substitutes :- Ryan Twist, Andy McMillan.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 37% - 63%. Man of the Match :- Pay McIlroy (Coleraine).

That could not have gone much better for an away day against the league leaders. We controlled that game for large portions, and had almost two thirds of the possession despite being the visitors. United were forced to change their game plan numerous times, and still couldn't find a way to get to grips with us. Pat McIlroy finding the net for the first time since his move here was also a huge bonus.

What does it tell us about the rest of the season ahead? Well, that's a tricky one to answer right now. Have we just inflicted a first defeat upon a club who are going to be genuine promotion contenders and put ourselves in the driving seat as the best club in the Division, or have we merely dispatched a team who have had nothing more than a good start and done exactly what was expected of us if we are going to be in the mix ourselves? It will take some time to find the answer to that one.

Another weekend, and another fixture change. Our opening game of October was scheduled to be an away league match with Ards on Saturday 3rd, but that match has now been pushed back to Wednesday 28th October due to an Irish Cup match for Ballyclare now being scheduled at Dixon Park, the ground the teams share. So we play again in the League on Tuesday evening against the Police Service of Northern Ireland before I swiftly leave to head to Uzbekistan. That will be our last league match of September, with the next league game now not scheduled to take place until October 7th. Only Distillery will have played less league matches after we play on Tuesday night, and by the time we play in the First Division again, they will have played twice more.

Monday 14th September
First Division Team of the Week announcement time, and a clean sheet for Gerard Doherty means he keeps his usual place, joined by our goalscorers from the weekend, Tony Jones and Pat McIlroy.

We're short price favourites for tomorrow night's home fixture with a Police Service of Northern Ireland side who have failed to take a win from us in all of the four historical meetings between the clubs, which have all come in the last year as it happens. The best they've managed is a draw, and you'd get a pretty good price on them doing even that this time, despite sitting right behind us in third place in the early league table. We are actually level on points, and a win would send them above us, plenty of motivation for the Belfast side. I tell the press that I'm looking for us to continue the momentum that we've built up.

Tuesday 15th September

Northern Irish First Division
The Showgrounds, Coleraine
Coleraine v Police Service of Northern Ireland
Attendance :- 277. Weather :- Dry, 28c.

Fan Night at the The Showgrounds. Half price for kids, on a school night, a week or two after they go back to school. Someone didn't think this through, and the attendance is only around forty people more than last seasons average. Keith Steenson is back in the lineup in place of John Robertson, taking over the armband in the only lineup change from the win on the weekend.

We were fairly content to let PSNI and their five man midfield have the ball in the less dangerous areas of the park in the early going, and press them when they tried to get in a little closer. That resorted to them shooting from range pretty quickly, James Forsythe missing the top corner from all of 25 yards. When we did eventually do some attacking of our own, we looked dangerous. Gerry Nixon held the ball up well before sending it short to Keith Steenson. The skipper played a short pass of his own, finding Pat McIlroy who rolled his marker and shot across goal, just missing the far post. We continued our attacking intent, Chris Johnston finding McIlroy from the right this time, the striker going for power but getting too much height on his shot. Before the break, Ross Rooney had two strikes at goal from the edge of the box, both clearing the cross bar without troubling Gerard Doherty.

Goalless at the break, and a game as tight on the scoreboard as you might expect from a second versus third clash. But the drama was only just about to begin. Tony Jones stood up a cross from the right edge of the box towards the far post, but Gerry Nixon's luck was out, his volley crashing back off the base of the upright. Jones would quickly be involved again though, receiving the ball back from McIlroy after a short throw in, and backing his own pace to go the long way route, rounding Andy Carmichael to get into the box, the forward getting back on terms and clumsily bundling the young Scot to the floor. Penalty. The PSNI players surrounded the ref, with both Callum Baker and Jason McHugh getting booked for their long and loud protests. Jones had to wait an age, amusing himself with some keepie uppies, before finally being allowed to take the spot kick, slamming it right down the middle to put us in front from the spot for a second game in a row. PSNI immediately moved to a more attacking formation, and Rooney sent in a low cross that saw Forsythe dart in front of a defender and get on the end of it, clipping a shot over Doherty, only to see it come back off the bar. Moments after that, Andy Dickinson was determined not to let Rooney get in the box to bring down a long ball, flattening the forward just outside the box, earning a booking for his trouble. The free kick was wasted, as Forsythe blasted it into the wall, while when we won a free kick a little further out at the other end, Jones came up with an imaginative routine that allowed Nixon to let fly with an ambitious effort that only just missed the target. Just after the hour mark, the routine between Nixon and Stewart Devine was certainly less impressive. The striker fed the ball back to his left back, but when Devine tried it give it him back, he made a mess of it. Forsythe got it to Rooney in the box, but with no room to shoot, he gave it back to Forsythe, and he struck a peach of a curler that Doherty couldn't get close to, and it found the top corner to level the match back up. PSNI sank right back into their defensive formation with five in midfield. This is Fan Night though, and I wasn't prepared to let them just sit back without giving them hell. We moved into a much more attacking tactic, without changing any personnel for the moment. With quarter of an hour remaining, I did turn to my bench, Steenson replaced by the more attack minded Michael McCartney, while young striker Andy McMillan would replace Nixon. Two minutes later, we would get a helping hand. Devine stripped the ball from Brian Magee as he tried to make ground down our left, and the winger lost his cool, kicking Devine up in the air and receiving a straight red card for his indiscretion. Now it was five in midfield with none up front, and defend for their lives to earn a point for PSNI. There was a booking for John Paul Gallagher as their desperation mounted, and their creaking defence gave way with four minutes left on the clock, McCarthy and Johnston doing the build up work, before McIlroy squared the ball to sub McMillan, who placed his shot in via the underside of the cross bar, his first ever Senior goal, and a big game winner too, sending us back to the top of the table on Fan Night!

Coleraine (0) 2 - Tony Jones (51 pen), Andy McMillan (86)
Police Service of Northern Ireland (0) 1 - James Forsythe (63)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Declan O'Hara, Andy Dickinson, Stewart Devine; Keith Steenson © (Michael McCartney 75), Gavin Whelan; Chris Johnston, Matty Robson; Gerry Nixon (Andy McMillan 75), Pat McIlroy.
Unused Substitutes :- Ryan Young, John Robertson, Ryan Twist.
Bookings :- Andy Dickinson 54
Possession :- 59% - 41%. Man of the Match :- James Forsythe (Police Service of Northern Ireland).

I'm not one hundred percent sure we'd have found a way through had it not been for that moment of madness from Brian Magee, an 18 year old winger of some promise who will undoubtedly learn from what happened this evening. Speaking of 18 year olds with some promise, what a night for local boy Andy McMillan, who netted at Senior level for the first time in an evening he will never forget!

The Board were delighted with how the night went overall, and a late winner is as good a way as any to try and get the extra fans to return. Keeping winning and returning to the top tier is another, and Annagh United were held to a draw away to Wakehurst, allowing us to pass them on goal difference, but with three games in hand. It will now be just over three weeks before we return to League action, when we travel to face Wakehurst ourselves.

No time for me to celebrate though, as I've a flight to catch to get me out to Uzbekistan, for another massive game.....

[neilhoskins77]

Friday 18th September 2015
I'm back from Asia, and ready to get right back into action at domestic level in Northern Ireland before I head off again next month. It's Cup action that takes our attention this weekend, as we host Carrick Rangers in the First Leg of our tie in the Second Round of the League Cup. We're firm favourites for the game, and will be looking to put ourselves in a strong position to travel for the return in midweek.

Saturday 19th September
A noon kick off for our Under-18's, who travel into Belfast to face Linfield in Group 1 at Midgley Park. The hosts took the lead through Jack Bond, only to see Joseph Nixon net an equaliser midway through the second half. With the game all square going into the final ten minutes, Linfield were given a golden opportunity to end our unbeaten start to the season, but Michael Duke missed from the penalty spot. A 1-1 draw then, and Portadown win to move past us and to the top with the quarter mark of the campaign approaching.

Northern Irish League Cup, Second Round, First Leg
The Showgrounds, Coleraine
Coleraine v Carrick Rangers
Attendance :- 227. Weather :- Breezy, 13c.

Just the one change to the side from last time out against PSNI, with Andy McMillan rewarded for his late winner with a starting spot, Gerry Nixon losing his place and sitting on the bench. Rangers were clearly looking to be defensive in the main, as they lined up in a 4-1-4-1 formation.

Is was a real role reversal from what you might expect that nearly opened the scoring five minutes in, centre back Declan O'Hara whipping in a free kick from the right, and winger Matty Robson meeting it with a downward header at the far post, keeper Dean Dixon saving it with his legs, before his defence helped him out with a clearance. With only Evan Moran up front, Rangers were struggling to get the ball to stick up there, and as a result we were dominating for long spells. We should have had the lead in the 24th minute, Gavin Whelan picking out Pat McIlroy on the edge of the box, the striker holding up the ball, before slipping it into the box and the path of McMillan, but his attempt at a deft finish was clipped wide of goal. Minutes later though, McMillan chased a long ball from Keith Steenson into the box, and while attempting to get in front of the striker, Justin van Matre took him to the floor, the referee awarding us a spot kick. Young full back Tony Jones is getting a lot of penalty practice this season, and he found the net once again, going low into the bottom corner to the keepers left this time. With the lead came increased confidence, McIlroy sending a shot well wide when we played on after midfielder Paddy Donaghy went down injured, much to the visitors fury. He went off injured, and while they reorganised, Jones hit an exquisite cross field pass that Robson took down and into the box, smashing a shot off the near post, the ball bouncing back out towards the penalty spot, where McIlroy sidefooted it home to double our lead before the break.

We couldn't have been much more comfortable than we were at half time, and it would need Rangers to adjust to make any difference to the second half as far as we were concerned. They did give that a brief try, full back Paul Woods sending a pass into the box for Graham Pollock, but his shot never threatened the target. We were soon back on the attack, McMillan and McIlroy linking up again, the latter curling a shot just off target. In the 56th minute he didn't miss though, Robson playing a superb cross from deep on the left that cut out the centre backs as McIlroy pulled away from his marker, and he finished with a controlled volley to net his second of the afternoon. Frustration was rife in the Rangers side, and van Matre earned a booking unnecessarily when he clattered McMillan well inside his own half just after the hour mark. Rangers made some changes, and then also picked up some knocks to increase our domination even more, and allowed me to feel confident enough to rest some legs. O'Hara came off to allow Ryan Young some more game time for the final twenty minutes, while McIlroy saw one shot stopped by Dixon and another crash back off the bar as he attempted to complete his hatrick. Whelan and Robson then took their turns to take an early leave, as Michael McCartney and Ryan Twist came on to help us see out the game.

Coleraine (2) 3 - Tony Jones (28 pen), Pat McIlroy (41,56)
Carrick Rangers (0) 0
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Declan O'Hara (Ryan Young 71), Andy Dickinson, Stewart Devine; Keith Steenson ©, Gavin Whelan (Michael McCartney 81); Chris Johnston, Matty Robson (Ryan Twist 81); Andy McMillan, Pat McIlroy.
Unused Substitutes :- John Robertson, Gerry Nixon.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 56% - 44%. Man of the Match :- Pat McIlroy (Coleraine).

That was an excellent performance, and all of a sudden, Pat McIlroy has settled himself down and started to find his stride in our colours, and is looking like the striker we believed we had brought in. We have put ourselves into an almost ideal position ahead of the Second Leg next week, and the way we are playing right now, it's hard to see us failing to make the Third Round, which is the Board's competition expectation.

Monday 21st September
Gerard Doherty (obviously), is our sole representative in the latest First Division Team of the Week.

Tuesday 22nd September
40 miles or so down the road is Carrickfergus. We head there tomorrow evening as we look to confirm our place in the Third Round of the League Cup following that excellent First Leg outcome against Carrick Rangers. With no more games for two weeks after this one, I decide not to risk any major player rotation for this match, where we are again favourites.

Wednesday 23rd September

Northern Irish League Cup, Second Round, Second Leg
Taylor's Avenue, Carrickfergus
Carrick Rangers v Coleraine (Coleraine lead 3-0 on aggregate)
Attendance :- 180. Weather :- Showers, 9c.

Taylor's Avenue was a happy hunting ground at the back end of last season when my boy's earned a single goal victory here in a late season First Division clash. It's an unchanged starting lineup and squad here from the selection that did such a great job in the First Leg on the weekend. The fairly sparse crowd is boosted by one, as Derby County manager Jim Harvey has made the trip across the Irish Sea to take this match in, with our young Scottish right back Tony Jones rumoured to be the player he is here to watch.

Matty Robson made a cheeky attempt to extend our aggregate lead very early on, sending his inswinging corner in short and whipped, trying to send it inside the near post which it came back off. And we continued to try our luck from set pieces, with centre back Declan O'Hara curling a free kick over the wall, but also over the cross bar. We continued to push forward, and on the quarter of an hour mark Gavin Whelan sent the ball down the right channel, where Pat McIlroy had moved. The striker showed some skill to get to the byline and pull the ball back for Chris Johnston, but his shot at goal was blocked and the chance had gone. If Jim Harvey was here to watch Tony Jones, he will have had a largely wasted trip, as we lost out Scottish right back to injury in the 17th minute. And it caused us a problem too. With no out and out right back on the bench, some reorganisation was required, with Andy Dickinson moving to right back as Ryan Young came on at centre back. Rangers certainly tried to use it to seize the upper hand, Evan Moran and Paul Wilson both quickly sending shots just over the bar. The hosts suddenly started to fancy themselves a bit more, and looked to exploit our lack of a natural right back, Dickinson too quick to move more central, and left back Barry McMahon had all the time he wanted to measure his cross to the far post, Ronnie Matthews unable to keep his header down. Matthews would have another chance on the half hour, a low diagonal cross from the other side this time, but Ryan Young was there to block his shot. Still 0-0 at the break, but there was a worrying change in game dynamic after the Jones injury. While Rangers persisted with their defensive 4-1-4-1 tactic though, I was not too concerned.

If this had been a one off Cup game or a League match, I'd have been more worried about our situation down the right side of the park. As it was, we had a three goal aggregate lead cushion, and at the interval I simply asked the players not to get careless. Keith Steenson was taking no chances ten minutes after the restart, Graham Pollock getting by him, and the skipper stopped his progress with a blatant shirt tug that earned him a caution. The need for Rangers to step it up and start pushing men forward was reaching the point where it would be increasingly desperate, and they started to make changes, and make renewed efforts to find a way through, Pollock finding Wilson in the box, but his low shot was easily gathered by Gerard Doherty, who had seen surprisingly little work to this point. He had some more work to do moments later though, substitute Paul Moffatt drilling in a shot that was right at Doherty and that he turned aside. Rangers coming forward, inevitably, left some gaps for us. Dickinson started to embrace his new role, and he crept infield and managed to find Robson on the left, the winger blazing a shot well over the bar though. When Wilson sent a free kick equally as high over, I decided to bring in some fresh legs. I didn't change the system though, Michael McCartney coming on for Johnston with Whelan moving to the right, while Ryan Twist replaced Robson on the left. With our changes used up, and probably a little later than they should have deployed it, Rangers went all in with ten minutes to go. And, they got caught. Our defensive line pushed up to rob their numbers up front of space, and a ball over the top was collected by Doherty. He sent it right back up the park with a long clearance, and McIlroy got himself matched up against the much smaller McMahon. From thirty yards out, it was a perfect flick on into the box, where Andy McMillan ran onto it, and fired across keeper Dean Dixon and into the far top corner! The ambush in Carrickfergus had been completed, and Rangers misery was completed in injury time, sub Darren McClelland's through ball was fired in on the turn by Wilson, but even a consolation escaped the home side, as the offside flag was raised.

Carrick Rangers (0) 0
Coleraine (0) 1 - Andy McMillan 86
(Coleraine win 4-0 on aggregate)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones (inj - Ryan Young 17), Declan O'Hara, Andy Dickinson, Stewart Devine; Keith Steenson ©, Gavin Whelan; Chris Johnston (Michael McCartney 73), Matty Robson (Ryan Twist 73); Andy McMillan, Pat McIlroy.
Unused Substitutes :- John Robertson, Gerry Nixon.
Bookings :- Keith Steenson 54
Possession :- 49% - 51%. Man of the Match :- Ryan Young (Coleraine).

I won't lie. I was alarmed at how much losing Tony Jones affected us. We rely heavily on his raids down the right, while Stewart Devine holds station a lot more on the opposite flank and allows Matty Robson to deal with the attacking threat. While Andy Dickinson is a competent right back, that is in a defensive role, he is not an attacking full back. Ryan Young certainly took his chance at centre back though, winning man of the match and putting his hand firmly in the air for a place in the back four. He'll have to keep working hard though, it's nothing too serious for Jones though, a sprained wrist will only keep him out for a fortnight, and our next match isn't for a fortnight.

And what about up front. Our two young striking prospects, local lad Andy McMillan and summer signing Pat McIlroy are now starting to strike up quite the partnership up front. They have dislodged Gerry Nixon, and confined the Scottish striker to the bench. It will be interesting to see if they can keep out his compatriot Stuart Shaw when he returns from his rib injury next week. That could be an altogether different challenge, and soon the two big strikers may be competing against each other for a spot.

Finally, there is Jim Harvey. The Lurgan born Manager of Derby County had a wasted trip from the East Midlands to watch Tony Jones. Our Scottish full back is contracted for the rest of the season, but seems pretty happy here in Coleraine. Across the water, things are not going so well for Harvey at Pride Park. The grand old club are now playing their third season outside of the Football League, and under his reign, they have twice lost Playoff Finals that would have earned them promotion, and the pressure is piling onto the 57 year old. His squad is high in quality, relative to their fifth tier level, but low on numbers as their financial might over the other Blue Square clubs is starting to show signs of waning. At any given time, he seems only a few losses away from the sack. In the after match press conference, when asked about his presence at the game, I tell the media that I'm no fan of Harvey, or the idea of selling one of my better players to a Manager who wouldn't know how to get the best out of him. If the chance came knocking on my door, as poorly as my spell in England went with Maidstone, I don't think I'd be able to resist a return with County and the chance to try and rebuild that club.

Thursday 24th September
The draw is made for Round Three of the League Cup at lunchtime today. Sixteen teams remain in the competition, and only four are not in the Premier Division. We were made to wait for our number to be drawn, and for a little while, it looked like a reunion with Lurgan Celtic, something I'd very much relish, may be on the cards. And we were drawn out one after the other. Celtic as the away team team in tie six against Glebe Rangers. We then slotted into the home position in tie seven, against the reigning Northern Irish Champions and holders of the League Cup. Yes, we got Linfield. It's a mouth watering prospect of pitting ourselves against an old foe, with the First Leg at The Showgrounds in late October, before the return a fortnight later at Windsor Park. Between the two clubs, we have won 38 League Cup crowns. Unfortunately, thirty five of them belong to the Belfast club.

Saturday 26th September
No game this weekend for the First Team, they're done for the month now. But the Under-18's were in action at lunchtime. They hosted Lurgan Celtic at The Showgrounds, and were behind by a goal at the break. But they turned the game around in the second half, and Darren Doyle one of the summer Youth Intake strikers fired an equaliser, and when Peter Curran was sent off with around 20 minutes left to play, we were able to throw the kitchen sink at Celtic. But we weren't able to find a way through against the bottom of the table side, and remain in second place.

Wednesday 30th September
The final day of the month, and Stuart Shaw returns to training following his rib injury that has seen him miss much of the opening two months of the season. Our striking options, that were already doing well, have their options bolstered with the return of last seasons top scorer at the club.

If he can find his way back into the side, one of Shaw's first tasks will be to help us back to the top of the table. It isn't Annagh United who unseat us from our perch though. On an evening when ten of the fourteen clubs played, Limavady United moved to the top of the table with a 6-4 win at home against Bangor in a remarkable match that saw United four goals to the good by the interval. They are now a point ahead of us, though we have two games in hand.

2015/16 Northern Irish First Division Table, Up To & Including Wednesday 30th September 2015

| Pos   | Team                      | Pld  | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D | Pts |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 1st   | Limavady Utd              |  7   |  4  |  2  |  1  |  21 | 13 | +8  |  14 |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 2nd   | Coleraine                 |  5   |  4  |  1  |  0  |   8 |  3 | +5  |  13 |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 3rd   | Annagh Utd                |  8   |  3  |  4  |  1  |  12 |  9 | +3  |  13 |
| 4th   | Ballymena Utd             |  6   |  3  |  3  |  0  |  12 |  6 | +6  |  12 |
| 5th   | Carrick                   |  7   |  2  |  4  |  1  |   6 |  4 | +2  |  10 |
| 6th   | P.S.N.I.                  |  7   |  3  |  1  |  3  |   6 |  6 |  0  |  10 |
| 7th   | Armagh                    |  7   |  2  |  3  |  2  |  10 | 11 | -1  |   9 |
| 8th   | Wakehurst                 |  7   |  2  |  2  |  3  |   8 |  9 | -1  |   8 |
| 9th   | Distillery                |  5   |  1  |  4  |  0  |   3 |  2 | +1  |   7 |
| 10th  | Donegal Celtic            |  6   |  1  |  3  |  2  |   4 |  5 | -1  |   6 |
| 11th  | Bangor                    |  7   |  1  |  2  |  4  |   8 | 12 | -4  |   5 |
| 12th  | Ards                      |  6   |  1  |  2  |  3  |   2 |  7 | -5  |   5 |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 13th  | Banbridge                 |  7   |  0  |  4  |  3  |   5 | 12 | -7  |   4 |
| 14th  | Queens University         |  7   |  0  |  3  |  4  |   4 | 10 | -6  |   3 |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[neilhoskins77]

Thursday 1st October 2015
Into October, and all is well as far as our Board are concerned. They are satisfied with how things are going on the park, with the signing of Pat McIlroy particularly pleasing to both them and the fans. As usual, the issue of cash appears to have been glossed over. We lost £15,000 last month, and we are now approaching the £300,000 mark in debt. Surely, someone should be panicking and ringing alarm bells about this by now?

Saturday 3rd October
Another weekend without a game for the First Team. While they have the weekend off, our Under-18's unbeaten start to the season is ended in heart breaking fashion. They are away to Dungannon, and they trailed at the break to a late first half goal from Swifts young striker George O'Neill. For the second weekend in a row, Darren Doyle nets an equaliser, and looked to have salvaged a draw at Stangmore Park. But in the final of three minutes worth of injury time, full back Philip McDonnell smashed home a late, late winner, and our hosts move into the mid table range, while we drop down into third, with Glenavon leaping over us.

While the First Team are not playing, six other games in the First Division are taking place. Limavady United start the weekend as League leaders, but fail to grasp their chance to stay there, as they are held to a goaless draw at home by Carrick Rangers. Taking advantage of that result to return to the top of the table are Annagh United, comfortable 3-0 home winners over Donegal Celtic. With fierce rivals Limavady already in front of us, the other team we love to hate, Ballymena United, also move by us as well, by virtue of a one goal better goal difference after a goaless home draw against Wakehurst. We now sit fourth, three points behind the leaders, but with four games in hand of them, three on Limavady, and two on Ballymena.

This evening the draw is made of the First Round of the Intermediate Cup. This is a competition that the Board has little to no interest in, and which the club has won only once, it was Coleraine's last trophy in fact in 2013. Unsurprising that there has been little success, as it is a Cup we have had little involvement in having spent most of our history in the top tier. While they may not care about it, I do. Not because I have any particular affiliation to this Cup. But because it's will be six years next summer since the end of my 'Double' season of Second Division Title and Intermediate League Cup success with Lurgan Celtic. And I haven't won a bloody thing since! We're drawn away in Round One, to Harland & Wolff Welders, and old foe from my Celtic days. They have won just once in six in the Second Division, and that should be an easy starter when we face them on Halloween.

Sunday 4th October
Centre back Ryan Young has been called up by Paul Put for his Gambia Squad to face Gabon away in Libreville next Saturday in Group E of the African Cup of Nations Qualifiers. His side lead the Group going into the final round of matches, and a win will see them qualify for the 2016 Finals in Senegal. They have to be wary though, as a draw could see Angola steal the place, and a defeat would see Gabon move past them by virtue of the head to head results between the two nations.

Monday 5th October
Good news for the club, as Tony Jones returns to training today.

Tuesday 6th October
Jones return is possibly too late to consider him for our return to League action tomorrow against Wakehurst, a club close to us geographically, but not really considered as a rival strangely enough. On a ten match unbeaten run, we are expected to win comfortably despite being away from home, with Wakehurst winless in their last four in the League, and coming into the match in ninth place.

Wednesday 7th October

Northern Irish First Division
Warden Street, Ballymena
Wakehurst v Coleraine
Attendance :- 202. Weather :- Dry, 14c.

Tony Jones isn't risked tonight, instead it's Ray Doran who gets a rare opportunity at right back, the only change to the starting lineup. There is one change to the personnel on the bench, with Gerry Nixon left out, and Stuart Shaw included following his return from injury.

It's a pretty ropey opening spell for us, with Chris Johnston booked with only 39 seconds on the clock. And that start got even worse in the tenth minute, Dil Chagger's throw in finding Robert Bailie, and his square pass across the box found David McConnell, who dragged the ball away from a marker and then fired it inside the post. Their lead would be brief though. In the 15th minute Stewart Devine launched a free kick into the box from the left wing, Ray Doran met it at the far post, heading it back across goal, where Andy McMillan applied the finishing touch and levelled the game back up. Doran wasn't having a bad game at all, and while we were a little out of sorts he was showing good attacking intent, striding forward and picking out McMillan in the box, this time the striker couldn't keep his shot down. The chances kept falling to him though, but he blazed over again when Keith Steenson and Johnston linked up, the latter finding McMillan in the box. Declan O'Hara took a knock, but continued, signalling to the bench he was fine to play on. We were on top without playing too well, so it was a surprise and an annoyance when we were caught out again. Austin Weir and Andy Davies building up play down the left, and McConnell picking out Bailie in the box. Both Doran and Andy Dickinson converged on him, and Bailie's shot took a big deflection off one of them, though hard to work out which. A shot that was aimed at the far post instead spun inside the near post, leaving Gerard Doherty helpless. He hadn't been beaten in well over 200 minutes of football before this game, and now he had been beaten twice in less than 40 minutes. We would be handed a lifeline before the break though. A long throw caused the ball to ping around the penalty box, and Johnston brought it down, and touched it away from Weir, who's awkward challenge brought him down. Penalty given, McConnell booked for his protests. With no Tony Jones available tonight, it was Gavin Whelan who took the ball and stepped forward. He blasted it right down the middle, but Josh Pelling stood his ground, pushing the ball up in the air and then claiming it at the second attempt with Pat McIlroy lurking.

I decided not to take the chance on O'Hara playing on, and then possibily being unable to go on when I had potentially made my changes. Ryan Young came on to replace him at the break. We restarted promisingly, some slick passing moving the ball through the team, down the park, and McIlroy found McMillan. The young striker had good options either side, but instead shot at goal himself, missing the target. Devine had already sent a free kick into the box to provide a goal once tonight, and he should have done so again in the 50th minute. Nothing wrong with his free kick, but Ryan Young was only able to hit the side netting at the far post when he really should have scored. Five minutes later, Whelan sent a diagonal pass into the box, this time it was McIlroy who was picked out, the striker shooting hard and low first time past Pelling, his effort crashing back off the inside of the far post and cleared to safety by Davies. As our need for an equaliser increased, Whelan, and then Steenson both found their way into the refs book for cautions. In between McConnell drove a shot from range just high and wide of the goal frame. I turned to my bench, and went on the attack with twenty minutes to play. Johnston off for Michael McCartney with Whelan going to the right, and Doran replaced by Stuart Shaw as we switched to a very attacking hybrid of a 3-4-3. It's a tactic that has served me so well in the past when I've needed a goal. But not today. McIlroy headed a cross wide, before Pelling's huge clearance down the park beat our high defensive line and offside trap, Bailie bringing it down, rounding Doherty and sidefooting home to put Wakehurst out of reach. For the first time this season, we have tasted defeat.

Wakehurst (2) 3 - David McConnell (10), Robert Bailie (38,78)
Coleraine (1) 1 - Andy McMillan (15)
Gerard Doherty; Ray Doran (Stuart Shaw 70), Declan O'Hara (inj - Ryan Young 45), Andy Dickinson, Stewart Devine; Keith Steenson ©, Gavin Whelan; Chris Johnston (Michael McCartney 70), Matty Robson; Andy McMillan, Pat McIlroy.
Unused Substitutes :- John Robertson, Ryan Twist.
Bookings :- Chris Johnston 1, Gavin Whelan 64, Andy Dickinson 69
Possession :- 44% - 56%. Man of the Match :- Robert Bailie (Wakehurst).

That one was tough to take. Knowing we had actually played quite well. Knowing if we had scored that spot kick in first half injury time the game may well have been different. Knowing we have left points on the table against a club that we shouldn't be dropping points to, regardless of our current status, financial predicament etc etc. At least the damage is tempered. Across town at the much larger Ballymena Showgrounds, the home side and Limavady United play out a 2-2 draw. We've got away with one to a degree.

It is our first defeat in eleven games, halting our excellent start to the season. Few expected us to be where we are, with the media and the Board both predicting mid table obscurity. Some believe we have over achieved, and that this is the start of the slump. Not me. I think this result is the blip, and we will fight back. I believe we will still be in the Title race, and so do our fans.

Thursday 8th October
Pat McIlroy has been called up by Northern Ireland Under-21's for their UEFA European Under-21 Championship Group 2 Qualifier against Cyprus in Lisburn next week. It's a game with little significance for the Ulster lads, as they have lost their opening three fixtures and have almost zero chance of making it to the Finals in Russia in 2017.

Friday 9th October
Tomorrow afternoon is a local match between two clubs currently fighting at the sharp end of the table. We make the short trip to face Limavady United, the current First Division leaders, while we go into the weekend in fourth place. Despite that, and the fact that we lost last time out, the bookies have us as favourites for the win today.

Saturday 10th October
Our Under-18's kick off the day at The Showgrounds, and they get back on the winning track against Glenavon. Young striker Robbie Walsh had us in front from the penalty spot ten minutes into the second half, but the visitors were level in the 71st minute through Gary Paul. But Walsh scored a second of the game five minutes later to put our lads back in front, and a late red card for the visitors midfielder Ricky Wells made hanging on to all three points a much easier task. The win moves us back above Glenavon and into third place.

Northern Irish First Division
Limavady Showgrounds, Limavady
Limavady United v Coleraine
Attendance :- 308. Weather :- Breezy, 16c.

After trimming the wage bill, our squad depth isn't great, and it will be tested today, with both Ryan Young and Pat McIlroy away on International Duty and unavailable to us for this one. Tony Jones is available though, and he slots back in at right back, while Ray Doran takes Young's spot on the bench. Also back in the lineup is Stuart Shaw, who partners Andy McMillan up front, with Gerry Nixon back in the squad and on the substitutes bench.

Derby Day puts a few extra numbers on the attendance, and United came out looking for an early goal, Simon Turkington heading back across goal and wide from a deep cross, while Paul Anderson's shot on the turn from the edge of the box was well blocked. Sean Brennan got closer than both, his long range shot beat Gerard Doherty's dive, but came back off the cross bar. The theme of long range shots continued, Mark Bain striking one sweetly from a partly cleared corner, but it continued to rise and cleared the cross bar. It was midway through the first half before we got up the park, an inswinging Matty Robson free kick from the right found the head of Declan O'Hara, but somehow Jonathan McDowell got a hand to it and kept it out. Robson's follow up corner was spinning wickedly, and Richard Mason was taking a chance when he met it with a glancing header, which spun off his head and back towards his own goal, barely clearing the bar and landing on the roof of his own net. From that corner, Andy McMillan managed to pull the ball down, but his shot was charged down. Just after the half hour mark, Brennan earned himself a booking for kicking Keith Steenson up into the air in the centre circle. Steenson took the free kick quickly, McMillan played it from the edge of the box into the right channel for Chris Johnston, who shot across goal, the ball bouncing back off the upright and across the goalmouth, and Turkington took too long to decide how to deal with it, Stuart Shaw toe poking the ball away from him and into the bottom corner to put us in front. David Cleary earned himself a booking at a point in the game where it looked like United might lose control. Their attempt to claw their way back level from Anderson curled just over the goal frame.

We held our lead at the break, and Anderson curled another effort at an equaliser right after the restart, this one high and wide of the target as his luck in front of goal continued to be out. Midway through the half, McDowell made a second superb save of the game, once more from an inswinging Robson free kick from the right, this time no one got a touch until McDowell got a fingertip to the ball and tipped it over the bar at the very last second. Another long range effort from Bain couldn't find the target, and I made two changes to get us some fresh legs on the park. Gavin Whelan and Robson were substituted, Michael McCartney and Ryan Twist came on. We sank back slightly into a more defensive tactic at the same time. But we got caught, almost fatally. Steenson's pass back to O'Hara missed it's target, and sub Anthony O'Shea was through on goal, Doherty saving with his legs to keep us in front. The reprieve was brief, Denny Ford's corner found O'Shea's head, his effort blocked but Jason Travers hooked home the loose ball from ten yards out to square the match up. Now it was our turn to pour forward as United tried to retreat and cover up, Shaw chasing the ball down on the left and getting it into the box, Steenson letting it run to Ryan Twist, but his curling effort just missed the top corner. McMillan came off for Gerry Nixon, but we could only create one more chance in the final ten minutes, short and slick passing back and forth across the park got McCartney into space on the edge of the box, but his shot was wide, and we would have to make the short trip home with just a point in our pockets.

Limavady United (0) 1 - Jason Travers (74)
Coleraine (1) 1 - Stuart Shaw (32)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Declan O'Hara, Andy Dickinson, Stewart Devine; Keith Steenson ©, Gavin Whelan (Michael McCartney 71); Chris Johnston, Matty Robson (Ryan Twist 71); Stuart Shaw, Andy McMillan (Gerry Nixon 81).
Unused Substitutes :- Ray Doran, John Robertson.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 45% - 55%. Man of the Match :- Jason Travers (Limavady United).

A point isn't the end of the world by any means today, but I was certainly hoping we could hold on in that second half, and jump straight back into another string of wins after suffering our first loss of the season. As it is, we have at least prevented it from becoming a run of defeats, and with another game coming up quickly in midweek against a Carrick Rangers side we already hold wins over this season, we have another quick chance to return to winning ways.

While that was all going on, Ryan Young was out in Africa, starting for The Gambia, and winning his second full cap as he played the whole match. He actually had a pretty good game too, but it wouldn't be good enough. His nation lost 2-0 in Libreville to Gabon in front of almost 40,000 fans. The damage, as far as his side was concerned, was caused by one Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, a 26 year old striker who is in his second year with Auxerre after a year that didn't go so well in Marseille. He now has 13 goals in 23 caps after his double strike today. But that isn't enough for Gabon either. Angola have won in Mauritania, and have leapfrogged the to the top of the Group to grab their spot in the Finals! That is a shame for Ryan, it would have been fabulous for the 18 year old to have a shot of being in a major International Finals. But for us as a club, it's better to have him available for Coleraine.

[neilhoskins77]

Seasons Greetings to you readers. What a ridiculous year it's been. From my house to yours, wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, and for Christ's sake lets keep our fingers crossed for a happier New Year.
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Tuesday 13th October 2015
Tomorrow night is another chance to get back that winning feeling. We're winless in two, and our last success came away from home against tomorrow nights guests, Carrick Rangers. On that occasion it was in the League Cup, this time it's a League game, a competition where Rangers have won just two of their nine games to date. We're heavy favourites to win this one at The Showgrounds.

Wednesday 14th October

Northern Irish First Division
The Showgrounds, Coleraine
Coleraine v Carrick Rangers
Attendance :- 239. Weather :- Dry, 11c.

Ryan Young is back from International duty in Africa, and is brought back into the matchday squad on the bench in place of Ray Doran in the only change from last time out. Pat McIlroy is unavailable as he is still away on International duty. We almost conceded the first real chance in the tenth minute, Darren McClelland stepping infield from left back and picking a pass to Paul Wilson just inside our box, but Andy Dickinson stepped into his path, and took the ball away to foil the attack. From there, we slowly started to suffocate our guests and take control of the game. Keith Steenson won the ball in the centre circle and sent Matty Robson into space on the left, his cross falling between our strikers. In quick order, a controlled volley by Gavin Whelan was no trouble for Ryan Hughes, before Andy McMillan sent a header wide, and Steenson followed him with a curler from the corner of the box that was also just wide. Stuart Shaw moved just too early and was flagged offside when Whelan played him in with a superbly weighted through ball, and Robson's swerving effort was off target. So we had to resort to one of our tried and tested methods late in the first half, Robson's corner, and Declan O'Hara climbed above Matt Stedman and headed home from close range to give us a half time lead.

As in control as we were, I was still keen to make sure my players knew they couldn't afford to switch off, Jason van Matre firing a warning shot free kick across goal five minutes after the restart. We soon settled back down though, McMillan firing across goal himself after good work down the right from Tony Jones and Chris Johnston. That would prove to be Johnston's last contribution, as he was forced off with a knock midway through the second half, Michael McCartney coming on with Whelan switching to a wide role. McClelland picked up a booking as Rangers tried to up the pace of the game, but that just left gaps at the back, McCartney picking out Whelan with acres of space, but his dipping shot landed on the roof of the net. Those gaps were further compounded with individual errors at the back for Rangers, miscommunication allowed Shaw to pinch the ball and walk in on goal, lifting the shot over Hughes, only to see it rattle the crossbar and bounce to safety. Late on, a Robson free kick picked out McMillan in the box, but he failed to keep his header at goal down. I made two separate late substitutions to run down the clock, Shaw replaced by Gerry Nixon, before Steenson was substituted for John Robertson. With seconds remaining, O'Hara did his bit to run down the clock, firstly pulling the shirt of van Matre as he tried to move forward, and then toe punting the ball right out of the ground when the free kick was awarded. He was maybe lucky to only get one yellow card and not two, but he was the game winner tonight!

Coleraine (1) 1 - Declan O'Hara (44)
Carrick Rangers (0) 0
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Declan O'Hara, Andy Dickinson, Stewart Devine; Keith Steenson © (John Robertson 90+2), Gavin Whelan; Chris Johnston (inj - Michael McCartney 67), Matty Robson; Stuart Shaw (Gerry Nixon 90+1), Andy McMillan.
Unused Substitutes :- Ryan Young, Ryan Twist.
Bookings :- Declan O'Hara 90+4
Possession :- 57% - 43%. Man of the Match :- Declan O'Hara (Coleraine).

To be fair, we were far more convincing winners than the scoreline suggests, and we didn't allow Carrick a shot on target tonight, keeper Gerard Doherty earning one of the easier clean sheets that he'll get credited with in his career. Declan O'Hara was rock solid at the back, popped up with the late first half winner, and showed game management skills when he took one for the team late on to prevent Jason van Matre getting into a position where he could have created a chance.

We stay fourth, but are one of five teams all log jammed on 17 points now, though we have two games in hand on the three teams ahead of us, and one in hand on Distillery who are sat behind us. The only thing that stopped it being a pretty perfect evening was the news that Chris Johnston has suffered a twisted knee, and will be out for around a month, leaving us a little short handed on that right wing for the foreseeable future.

Saturday 17th October
Once again our First Team have no game today, but the Under-18's are in action in Group 1. They're held to a goalless draw at The Showgrounds by Institute, a result that keeps our youngsters in second place, but they are now six points behind Portadown with a third of the season played.

Monday 19th October
If proof were required of how dominant the performance at home to Carrick last week was, five of our players being named in the First Division Team of the Week seemed to back it up. Gerard Doherty was of course included, joined by Declan O'Hara, Stewart Devine, Matty Robson, and interestingly, Gavin Whelan. I say that as he has been getting a little bit of stick from some quarters, with the belief being that his performances have dropped off.

Tuesday 20th October
We can tick off one of our games in hand tomorrow night, with our last League game of October as we host Donegal Celtic at The Showgrounds. A win in this one will send us back to the top of the table, as long as Distillery don't win at Bangor by two more goals than we manage in the only other fixture of the night. It's been a really rough start to the season for Celtic, who have won only two of their opening nine, and drawn too many of the remaining games, leaving them sat in 11th place going into this match. They were slated to finish fourth, and their start has left Belfast born Paddy Kelly under pressure. Which is quite something as he has been in charge of them for over eight years. The bookies are not predicting a change in his clubs fortune tomorrow evening.

Wednesday 21st October

Northern Irish First Division
The Showgrounds, Coleraine
Coleraine v Donegal Celtic
Attendance :- 222. Weather :- Dry, 13c.

The injury to Chris Johnston meant a change around was required for us tonight. Gavin Whelan moves from the centre of the park out to the right wing, with Michael McCartney taking the spot alongside Keith Steenson. Seventeen year old Colin Canning is summoned into the First Team Squad from the Under-18 side, with no suitable candidate found in the Reserves, and he takes a place on the substitutes bench. There he is joined by Pat McIlroy, who returns to the squad in place of Gerry Nixon. This game marks a 300th career League appearance for Matty Robson, and a 25th League outing in a Coleraine shirt for Declan O'Hara, though the first sixteen of those came well over a decade ago.

A very slow start to the game, with Celtic choking us in the last third of the park as they attempted to 'park the bus'. In fact, they did the job so well, that they almost caught us midway through the first half with a swift counter attack, Daniel Ball releasing David Curran into space, and he whipped in a curled shot that Gerard Doherty had to get fingertips to as it headed for the top corner. The corner created more problems for us, a huge goalmouth scramble only ended when Tony Jones hooked the ball clear. Gavin Whelan's lack of pace on the right wing was causing us issues getting into positions to send in our crosses. When he finally got a good matchup against striker Curran, his cross was poor, left back Stewart Devine retrieved it, but he didn't do much better, his cross was far too close to keeper Phil Straker who easily caught his cross. Another long range effort from Curran that was low on accuracy completed a first half that was low on quality chances, and quality in general to be fair.

There were stern words at the break, and we started the second half a bit better, winning a free kick just outside the box, Michael McCartney curling the ball around the wall, but failing to get the dip required to get the shot on target. A Tony Jones cross moments later found Whelan, but skipper Rab Kelly managed to block his effort to break the deadlock. After successfully keeping us out for over an hour, Celtic started to get a little more ambitious about what kind of point haul they could go home with this evening, and they started to come out of their shell a little. I made a pair of changes to try and improve our options in the last twenty minutes or so, Whelan and Andy McMillan replaced by teenage winger Colin Canning and Pat McIlroy. Five minutes later, Andy Dickinson and McCartney combined outside the box, and the latter slipped a pass into the box finding the feet of Canning. The youngster evaded sliding tackles from both Kelly and Aaron Brown, and Moore shoved him to the floor from behind, the ref letting play run on for a second, but when there was no advantage to be had, he pointed to the penalty spot. Jones has been lethal from the spot this season, and he was, well, spot on again here, drilling the ball low into the bottom corner, his fifth goal of the season, and the deadlock was finally broken. Jones was also happy to take a booking for the cause late on, unwilling to let speedy Adrian McCaffrey get away from him, and pulling the shirt of the forward in the 84th minute. Taking the warning, I opted to try and organise some more protection, McCartney coming off for John Robertson, who joined Keith Steenson in sitting in front of the back four, with the wingers also brought back a bit deeper, along with McIlroy, who we hoped would act as our 'out' to ensure the ball didn't come right back at us. That plan worked very well, as we managed to keep the ball well up the park for the most part, earning a few corners. We conceded a corner late on as well though, and had a moment of panic when Aaron Brown got his head to it, but he couldn't direct his effort on to the target, and we moved back up to the top of the table.

Coleraine (0) 1 - Tony Jones (76 pen)
Donegal Celtic (0) 0
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Declan O'Hara, Andy Dickinson, Stewart Devine; Keith Steenson, Michael McCartney (John Robertson 85); Gavin Whelan (Colin Canning 69), Matty Robson; Stuart Shaw, Andy McMillan (Pat McIlroy 69).
Unused Substitutes :- Ryan Young, Ryan Twist.
Bookings :- Tony Jones 84
Possession :- 53% - 47%. Man of the Match :- Andy Dickinson (Coleraine).

Our return to the top of the table was helped along by Distillery only managing a 1-1 draw at Bangor. We could have easily dropped a couple of points ourselves tonight. While Celtic didn't cause us too many problems going forward apart from that one excellent save by Gerard Doherty, they were solid at the back and for a long time it looked like we might not be able to find a way through. Enter Colin Canning, the 17 year old right winger who has been playing well in the Under-18's this season. He came on, and provided the spark, causing issues with his direct running and winning the penalty to took us back to the top of the First Division with Octobers fixtures now done. With the fans not loving Gavin Whelan right now, they're right behind the young local lad and his attempt to break into the First Team lineup.

2015/16 Northern Irish First Division Table, Up To & Including Wednesday 21st October 2015

| Pos   | Inf   | Team              |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   |

| 1st   |       | Coleraine         |       | 9     | 6     | 2     | 1     | 12    | 7     | +5    | 20    |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 2nd   |       | Distillery        |       | 10    | 4     | 6     | 0     | 11    | 7     | +4    | 18    |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 3rd   |       | Limavady Utd      |       | 10    | 4     | 5     | 1     | 24    | 16    | +8    | 17    |
| 4th   |       | Ballymena Utd     |       | 10    | 4     | 5     | 1     | 17    | 11    | +6    | 17    |
| 5th   |       | Annagh Utd        |       | 10    | 4     | 5     | 1     | 16    | 10    | +6    | 17    |
| 6th   |       | Ards              |       | 9     | 4     | 2     | 3     | 8     | 10    | -2    | 14    |
| 7th   |       | Wakehurst         |       | 10    | 3     | 4     | 3     | 12    | 11    | +1    | 13    |
| 8th   |       | Carrick           |       | 10    | 2     | 6     | 2     | 7     | 6     | +1    | 12    |
| 9th   |       | Armagh            |       | 10    | 3     | 3     | 4     | 13    | 15    | -2    | 12    |
| 10th  |       | P.S.N.I.          |       | 10    | 3     | 2     | 5     | 9     | 11    | -2    | 11    |
| 11th  |       | Donegal Celtic    |       | 10    | 2     | 4     | 4     | 8     | 11    | -3    | 10    |
| 12th  |       | Banbridge         |       | 10    | 2     | 4     | 4     | 7     | 14    | -7    | 10    |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 13th  |       | Bangor            |       | 10    | 1     | 3     | 6     | 10    | 16    | -6    | 6     |
| 14th  |       | Queens University |       | 10    | 0     | 3     | 7     | 4     | 13    | -9    | 3     |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[oche balboa]

Have a good Christmas mate. 

[neilhoskins77]

1 hour ago, oche balboa said:

Have a good Christmas mate. 

Thank you pal. Merry Christmas to you and yours. I hope it's a good one 

[neilhoskins77]

Saturday 24th October 2015
At the Billy Neill Complex in Dundonald, our Under-18 side earn a very impressive 3-1 away win against a Glentoran side that went into the match just a point behind us in Group 1. We went ahead around the midway point of the first half through a Martin Friars goal, but we were a man down by the time we reached the break, Glenn Harbinson sent off for a professional foul. That could have caused us issues, but Joseph Nixon and Robbie Walsh netted late on, with only a few anxious moments in between when Stuart McClelland pulled one back. Well played lads!

Monday 26th October
There may not have been many games last week to make players eligible for the Team of the Week, but even so, seven players selected is quite some effort after that win against Donegal Celtic. Obviously Gerard Doherty was included, joined by Stewart Devine and Declan O'Hara in the defence, Gavin Whelan, Matty Robson and Michael McCartney in the midfield, and Stuart Shaw up front.

Tuesday 27th October
Team of the Week might be more difficult this week though, as we are preparing to welcome the Northern Irish Champions to our home at The Showgrounds, as Linfield will visit tomorrow evening in the First Leg of our League Cup Third Round tie. There are genuine concerns from the fans that should we get thumped, it could have a big impact on the morale of the team and their push for promotion back to the First Division. The more optimistic folks among our fan base are suggesting that being home in the First Leg gives us the opportunity to steal a win, and then park the bus in the return. You'd get good odds on that happening though, as we're 4/1 to win this one. The dangerman is considered to be Mark Miskimmon, a 26 year old Belfast born former Northern Irish Under-21 International who has spent his entire career at Linfield bar a loan spell at Larne as a youngster. He has scored 57 League goals in the last three season, and has already added eight this season, during which he has eleven goals in sixteen games in all competitions.

Wednesday 28th October

Northern Irish League Cup, Third Round, First Leg
The Showgrounds, Coleraine
Coleraine v Linfield
Attendance :- 240. Weather :- Wet, 7c.

In front of a disappointingly average crowd, on a wet night, and in a competition that the footfall suggests nobody really cares for, we make just a couple of changes from last time out, a hard fought win here against Donegal Celtic. With Gavin Whelan still deputising on the right wing, and the visitors being the nations best team right now, I go for a pair of defensive minded midfielders in the middle of the park, with John Robertson joining Keith Steenson. Up front, Pat McIlroy is back in the team, replacing Andy McMillan, who joins Michael McCartney amongst our options from the substitutes bench. Plenty of respect shown by the visitors, who field the strongest lineup they have available.

It has a blistering start to the match, with our cross bar rattled inside two minutes, full back Gareth Porter dispossessing Matty Robson and taking the ball down the right, before picking out Mark Miskimmon, who laid the ball off to Rhys Devlin, his 20 yard shot thundering back off the goal frame. That would prove to be only a reprieve, and the trouble was of our own making. Andy Dickinson was man of the match last time out, but he smashed his clearance right against team mate John Robertson, and the ball fell to Jack Brown, who fired it into the roof of the net before Declan O'Hara could get to him. That goal brought the pace of the game right down, and that suited us. As we approached the twenty minute mark, Tony Jones made ground down our right, and then pinged a low cross into the feet of an unmarked Robson, his low finish brought out a great reflex save from Jordan Taylor. Moments later, Robson was involved again, a corner coming back out to him on the right, and his whipped cross found Stuart Shaw at the far post, and his downward header was guided between the defenders and Taylor, and we were back level. But parity was short lived for us, as we again failed to clear the danger, and Michael Constable found skipper Michael Gault who was still up the park from the set piece. His shot took a deflection that looped it over Gerard Doherty and into the net! With Devlin sending a free kick wide, and then Pat McIlroy lifting a shot over the target, chances were being exchanged. But one side was taking theirs, and Brown nodded the ball down to Miskimmon in the 38th minute, who was goal side of Dickinson and drove a low shot under Doherty's dive and into the bottom corner to make it 3-1. And our visitors ended the half as they had begun it, Miskimmon spinning away from his marker and sending in a shot that had Doherty beat, but hit the angle of the goal frame and stayed out.

We hadn't actually played too badly, but Linfield had showed a real cutting edge to take a two goal advantage, and we had some serious work to do now. We started quickly with that in mind, a volleyed cross by Stewart Devine picked out McIlroy, his shot was blocked, but it rolled into the path of Gavin Whelan who stung Taylor's hands with a well struck shot that the keeper pushed to safety. That had our heads up, and McIlroy curled a shot wide before Jones won the ball in his own box with a tackle, and set us away on a counter attack. He found Whelan on halfway, and he moved away from Devlin and down the right, picking out McIlroy in the right channel of the box. The strikers first touch was beautiful to take the ball away from Ole Petersen, and his second touch was a shot driven across goal, beyond Taylor, and inside the far post to reduce the arrears just five minutes into the second half. Jonathan Harkness drove a free kick wide, and Brown's downward header was right at Doherty as Linfield tried to restore that lead, but it was McIlroy who came closest to scoring next, a powerful shot on the turn needed to be tipped over the top by Taylor. It was then Shaw's turn to try his luck, just missing the top corner with a curler before I made a change, Michael McCartney coming on for Keith Steenson as we looked to attack a little more and have someone who could help us with that in the midfield. It worked too, and within five minute the sub twisted between two Linfield players, and then threaded a diagonal pass into the box that cut out the defence and found Robson, who buried his low driven shot past Taylor's dive and inside the near post to bring us back level against the odds. Our guests looked shocked, and things didn't appear to be going their way when they then lost Devlin to an injury, Petersen going off at the same time as they attempted to make it an attacking change. It seemed to be working too, Constable's driven shot from 25 yards out was only just wide, and then another effort from similar range was pushed over by Doherty. If their ambition was to force us into a retreat, it worked, as we quickly reshuffled into a more defensive outlook, which seemed to satisfy our guests, as they didn't pose too much threat of their own at this point. We almost caught them late on though, Robson cutting infield after a corner came back to him, and he cracked a shot off the outside of the near post with Taylor stranded. Three apiece, and the Second Leg will still provide us with a chance to cause an upset.

Coleraine (1) 3 - Stuart Shaw (25), Pat McIlroy (50), Matty Robson (62)
Linfield (3) 3 - Jack Brown (7), Michael Gault (31), Mark Miskimmon (38)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Declan O'Hara, Andy Dickinson, Stewart Devine; John Robertson, Keith Steenson © (Michael McCartney 57); Gavin Whelan, Matty Robson; Stuart Shaw, Pat McIlroy.
Unused Substitutes :- Ryan Young, Colin Canning, Ryan Twist, Andy McMillan.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 54% - 46%. Man of the Match :- Matty Robson (Coleraine).

Matty Robson's form in the Cup games this season has been bordering on the sensational. He now has three goals and five assists in five Cup matches, compared to just two assists in eight League outings. The difference in average rating between the two is almost a point, and with his contract due to expire next summer, he is attracting interest from Linfield themselves.

That could be a very interesting turn of events. Manager at the Belfast club is David Jeffrey, a 53 year old who played at the club after being a youngster at Manchester United in the late 70's. He's approaching his 19th anniversary as Linfield's man in charge, winning three League Titles and eleven Cups in that time span. He has also spent almost £1.5 million on transfers, and that includes a club record £725,000 outlay on Michael Constable from Bolton Wanderers, a show of the financial might they have in the Premier Division. It does make you wonder why they might want Robson, but Jeffrey tells the press that he is thankful that for now, his club don't have to face players of the left wingers quality every week. My initial thoughts are that if that's the case, surely it wouldn't be smart to let him leave The Showgrounds for nothing?

Friday 30th October
The Cup action continues as we round out the month of October tomorrow afternoon, and we visit a team that were very much a rival for me and my Lurgan Celtic side in the early seasons of my career, as we take on Harland & Wolff Welders in the First Round of the Northern Irish Intermediate Cup. This is a competition where many expect me to play a heavily rotated side, but that won't be the case. I want us to win as much silverware as we can this season, and I'm not prepared to pass up an opportunity.

The Welders are not expected to provide too much opposition for us here, they're having it tough in the Second Division with just two wins from eight games, and only a point above the relegation zone. Their main issue is that they don't score enough goals, averaging just one a game in the League. But they don't concede too many either, with only nine going past them in those same eight games. As you would expect, we are the heavy favourites to progress.

Saturday 31st October

Northern Irish Intermediate Cup, First Round
Tillysburn Park, Belfast
Harland & Wolff Welders v Coleraine
Attendance :- 197. Weather :- Breezy, Drizzle, 8c.

Just one change is made from the midweek home game against Linfield, and that involved Gavin Whelan returning to his midfield position in place of John Robertson who returns to the bench, and Colin Canning is brought into the starting lineup on the right wing, which will be a first ever start for the 17 year old hometown lad. Gerry Nixon replaces Andy McMillan on the subs bench.

The conditions were tricky, with the wind swirling and the rain coming down, but that was no excuse for how poorly we started, with tackles missed and the passing poor. It was H&W's only summer signing Charlie Beckett who was trying to benefit, an early sighter was high and wide, but an 8th minute driven effort beat Gerard Doherty and came back off the inside of the post before being cleared. Doherty would have to make a save moments later when Patrick Whitten got inside our defence, his shot aimed inside the post, Doherty managing to push it wide. Beckett was confident enough to have another try, a superb strike from 25 yards out that Doherty didn't get near, but once again his luck was out, as the ball came back down off the underside of the bar before being hacked clear. The Welders were sensing an upset and were pumped up for this now, a little too much so for Jamie Dickinson, who picked up a booking in an incident that saw Pat McIlroy injured and forced off the park, Gerry Nixon coming on in his place. Thomas Drummond sent a free kick just over the bar, before Charlie Beckett found himself in space from range again, trying to find the top corner this time, but just missing the target. Goalless at the break.

That might have been one of the worst halves of football we had played for a long time, and we needed to buck our ideas up to stop ourselves being on the end of an upset. But Doherty had to make another save quickly after the restart, Dickinson trying to pick the bottom corner out, Doherty getting enough on it to stop it, before diving on the loose ball. But ten minutes after the restart, everything swung around in a second. Doherty sent a long clearance up the park, Gerry Nixon won his header and flicked the ball on, and Stuart Shaw got goalside of young defender Oliver Jones. The Welders lad grabbed a handful of our strikers shirt, dragging him to the floor outside the box, but earning himself a straight red card for his troubles. The home side were furious, adamant that it shouldn't have been a sending off, but there was little doubt to be fair. Whitten was sacrificed to allow Gary Kerr to come on in the defence. Stewart Devine tried to ram home our advantage, but he blasted his free kick right into the defensive wall. A little after the hour, a long throw in from Tony Jones was flicked on by Nixon, but sub Kerr just managed to nod it away from Shaw when he looked certain to score. A deep cross by Jones was then recovered by Devine, and he picked out Nixon at the far post, but his downward header was right at keeper Billy Lumley when a yard either side would've left him helpless. The Welders were now defending from deep, and we were knocking at the door but unable to find a way through, a late shot from Nixon was well over in our last chance to avoid the Extra Time period.

I made changes for the extra half hour, Gavin Whelan and Matty Robson replaced by Michael McCartney and Ryan Twist. We should have gone in front with our first real chance of the extra session, Jones finding Nixon in space down the right, and the forward went the long way around and into the box, cutting the ball back from the byline to find Ryan Twist who was in the box off his wing, but he scuffed his shot wide of the target. Into the second half of the extra half hour, and penalties were looking almost inevitable. With five minutes to play, Devine was in an advanced position down the left, his attempted cross partially blocked behind for a corner. Jones came across to take it, and sent it right under the cross bar, where Declan O'Hara muscled his way into position, and powered home a header from barely inches out to finally break the Welders hearts!

Harland & Wolff Welders (0) 0
Coleraine (0) 1 - Declan O'Hara (115)
(after Extra Time, 0-0 after ninety minutes)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Declan O'Hara, Andy Dickinson, Stewart Devine; Keith Steenson ©, Gavin Whelan (Michael McCartney 90); Colin Canning, Matty Robson (Ryan Twist 90); Stuart Shaw, Pat McIlroy (inj - Gerry Nixon 28).
Unused Substitutes :- Ryan Young, John Robertson.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 45% - 55%. Man of the Match :- Declan O'Hara (Coleraine).

A win is a win I suppose, but that was a fairly rotten performance, and had it not been for 19 year old Oliver Jones getting his marching orders after failing to get tight enough on Stuart Shaw, I wouldn't like to say if we would have come through that one. It could be argued that Jamie Dickinson should've been sent off before him, his tackle on Pat McIlroy was a late and unnecessary one, and bruised the ribs of the striker, who will now miss a couple of weeks of action.

The draw for the Second Round of the competition is made later in the evening, and once again we are drawn away, and again it's a bit of a banana skin tie, as we are paired with amateur non-League side Abbey Villa at their Adams Park home, a tie that takes place three weeks today.

[neilhoskins77]

Sunday 1st November
November is shaping up to a be a strange month, as we have two League games scheduled for the opening week of the month, and then no more for the remainder as Cup football will then take over. With only one League game scheduled for December as it stands too, I am a little concerned that we might lose the momentum we have been building up, as it will be now be January before we reach the halfway point of the First Division. I'm only making the second League game this month thanks to an earlier kick off time in India at the end of this week, and a flight right back to Belfast to return for the League match.

I miss out on Manager of the Month again, with Distillery boss Bryan McLoughlin the winner for October with three wins and two draws from five League matches in the month. I'm placed third, with Ards manager Jeff Martin named as the Runner-Up. We face Ards this Wednesday night.

The Board remain satisfied with the job I'm doing at The Showgrounds, that's despite me refusing to rule myself out of the Derby County job when asked about it at a press conference with the pressure mounting further on Jim Harvey after they have dropped down to eighth place in the Blue Square Premier. They are happy with the signing and subsequent form of Declan O'Hara, though less enamoured with the First Division defeat against Wakehurst. Still no mention of the finances, with a further £10,000 leaving the club over the month. The debt right now, for all intents and purposes, is £300,000. No one seems the slightest bit concerned.

Tuesday 3rd November
We play the first of two League games in four days tomorrow night, our entire First Division schedule for November, and I'm going out to India and back in between them. It's a trip into Ballyclare for the first game of the week, and once we get there we'll face hosts Ards, who come into the game in sixth place. That is a slight overachievement on the place predicted by the media for them, and is not too bad at all considering they have a very young squad, with only half a dozen players in their 20's, and no one older than 26. Their star man this season is 6'2 striker Niall McMenamin, an 18 year old who is their top scorer, and ironically is the only player who wants to leave the club at the moment.

Wednesday 4th November

Northern Irish First Division
Dixon Park, Ballyclare
Ards v Coleraine
Attendance :- 319. Weather :- Dry, 7c.

This is our game in hand, but after extra time on the weekend, I'm going to have to be careful with my limited squad depth. Gavin Whelan reverts back into the right wing tonight, with Michael McCartney brought into the midfield and Colin Canning back amongst the substitutes. Up front, it's the fresher Andy McMillan who is brought into the starting lineup to replace the injured Pat McIlroy. The club captain Keith Steenson today makes his 50th Career Senior League appearance, all of them for his hometown club.

With just minutes on the clock, Stuart Shaw positioned himself in front of Mike Riley to try and get himself onto a Matty Robson long throw, Shaw feeling he was shoved to the floor, the ref not agreeing with him this time. We would get our clear opportunity in the 8th minute though. Ards had played some precise passing, and they attempted the killer one to get Niall McMenamin into the box. But Tony Jones picked off the pass, and didn't consider any finesse when he thumped the ball down the park and over the heads of their centre backs. Who it turned out were not there for their pace. Teen striker Andy McMillan is a big lad, but he has a long stride, and he got between the pair, and in on goal, slotting his shot past Steve Sinton's dive and putting us in front. Ards would reply by immediately by going to a much more attacking formation, despite already being caught on the counter attack once. And it was the latter that looked more likely, on the half hour a cross from Shaw picked out Michael McCartney who couldn't find room for a shot, and sent it back wide to Matty Robson, a cross aimed at McMillan was punched over his own cross bar by Sinton. A few minutes later we saw Stewart Devine suffer a knock as he got into a tussle with Craig Kennedy as he tried to prevent an Ards attack. He made it through to the break though, and so did we.

Devine's knock wasn't enough to stop him reappearing for the second half, but while he hadn't disappeared, our lead almost did, full back Peter Holmes finding John Kirk who hit a first time shot from distance that had Gerard Doherty beat, but came back off the cross bar and back into the arms of the grateful goalkeeper. On the hour mark, home skipper Ryan Newberry was played into the right channel of the box, he got to the byline and cut it back for his strikers to walk onto, but Keith Steenson was there to send the ball out to safety. Five minutes later Robson cut infield from the left, and he picked out Shaw on the edge of the box, the striker not appreciating how much time he had, and taking a quick shot that was over the bar. Midway through the half, we got an even better chance, Gavin Whelan sending over a corner and McMillan got on the end of it, but also got underneath his header and that was also over the goal frame. Kyle Catney's shot from range didn't improve Ards fortunes, it was a powerfully struck effort, but it was wide. With fifteen minutes to play, Devine could go on no longer. I'd been avoiding taking him off as we had no natural left back option to replace him, and Ryan Young would come off the bench to replace him and try to help us see out the game while out of position, with McCartney coming off for John Robertson at the same time. At this point, my inclination was to go more defensive, but I resisted. Moments later we had a chance to put the outcome beyond doubt, Steenson sending the ball left, and Robson picked out Shaw in the box around 15 yards out, Shaw keeping the shot down this time and driving it towards goal, Sinton flinging himself right to get hands on it and keep it out. In the 81st minute, a cross that should've been easily cleared was allowed to find it's way through to John Rankine, fortunately a defender and not a striker, he went for power and not precision and Doherty stood firm. The ball was cleared down the park, and McMillan chased it. Nowhere near as successfully as his early first half chase, as this time the hometown lad pulled a hamstring in the sprint, and once more I had to decide if I was going to go more defensively. Logic made the decision for me, as I only had wingers and strikers left on the bench, so stayed like for like and brought on Gerry Nixon. The Scottish striker would get a few touches, but that would be enough, as we pinned Ards into their own half throughout the injury time period.

Ards (0) 0
Coleraine (1) 1 - Andy McMillan (8)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Declan O'Hara, Andy Dickinson, Stewart Devine (Ryan Young 75); Keith Steenson ©, Michael McCartney (John Robertson 75); Gavin Whelan, Matty Robson; Stuart Shaw, Andy McMillan (inj - Gerry Nixon 81).
Unused Substitutes :- Colin Canning, Ryan Twist.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 45% - 55%. Man of the Match :- Stewart Devine (Coleraine).

We're now starting to grind some of these wins out, and I am absolutely fine with that. I'm sure the fans would like to see more attractive football, but I'm sure they'd like to see top flight football more, and after this win and with all the First Division clubs hitting the ten game mark now, we are five points clear at the top, with a Derby Day to look forward to on Saturday afternoon against fourth placed Ballymena United in our last League game of the month. With no more First Division games scheduled for six weeks after the weekend's round of games, a win would guarantee us going into Christmas and the New Year at the top of the pile.

We might yet have Andy McMillan back by then too. The 18 year old scored his fourth goal in all competitions to get us the win, but a pulled hamstring is confirmed, and he is now out for around the six week mark. With Pat McIlroy out already and very unlikely to be back for the weekend, we are going to be short on options up front for that Local Derby. We'll go into it with three successive League wins behind us and unbeaten at home this season in all competitions, including four wins from four in the League.

But before that, I've got to dash off to India for another very important game there............

[neilhoskins77]

Thursday 5th November 2015
Northern Irish domestic football has gone international, for one day only. After arriving in India following last nights victory away to Ards, I do my press conference for the weekend Derby match with Ballymena United a day earlier than usual, and from the sub continent, as we'll be playing a huge International match at the time it would normally be done.

With three straight wins, and home advantage, we'll go into the match as narrow favourites, priced at a very backable 5/4. I told the press that my players are straining at the leash for Saturday's big game, and that I have every faith in their ability to thrive under the pressure that comes with these occasions.

There was some fanning of the Bonfire Night flames from my opposite number too, as United manager Eddie Patterson stated that while he knew how good a side we were, he knew that a result was crucial for United to keep themselves in the promotion hunt. Given the right to reply, I burned some more wood on the fire, stating that I'd never really considered United as credible promotion contenders. Burn!

Saturday 7th November
Derby Day, and a double header for the fans. It starts with a late morning kick off in Ballymena for the Under-18's match. Left back Lee Mooney puts us ahead just after the half hour mark, but the pressure after the break from United was huge, and they managed to turn the game around, Emmett Hughes and Mark Foster scoring for the hosts to earn them a win that puts them into seventh spot in Under-18's Group 1, while we remain in second place. First blood in the Derby to United then, but can they repeat that in the main event?

Northern Irish First Division
The Showgrounds, Coleraine
Coleraine v Ballymena United
Attendance :- 266. Weather :- Dry, 6c.

Six degrees isn't exactly chilly as the early signs of autumn giving way to winter arriving in Northern Ireland, but it certainly feels cold after spending yesterday afternoon in near 40 degrees heat in a stadium with well over on hundred thousand people inside. With Andy McMillan joining our missing striker options, it's Gerry Nixon who gets the call to start up front with Stuart Shaw this afternoon, our only change to the starting lineup from the win in midweek at Ards. The shortage of available forwards means a potential debut for sixteen year old six footer Martin Friars, who's good form for the Under-18 side sees him called up for bench duty with the Seniors today. This is my 300th career game as a Manager.

Despite being the home side, we are forced to change into our all yellow strip today, and it was the Sky Blues of United who made the more promising start to the game, forward Tim Porter going on a mazy run that found him on the right side of our box, and he drove in a cross that Nigel McClelland couldn't quite get a touch on to turn it goalwards. That would be the highlight of a quiet opening spell that saw the ball spend a lot of time in the air, though Porter did almost get in through the centre, Andy Dickinson there quickly to block his route to goal. There were 25 minutes on the clock before we had our first sight of the target, only just though, Michael McCartney skipping away from a tackle in midfield and guiding a pass to the feet of Stuart Shaw, but on his weaker left foot, the shot was wayward. We were certainly starting to gain the upper hand now, and Matty Robson picked out Shaw in acres of space, the striker squaring a pass to Gerry Nixon who tried his luck from range, a shot that just missed the target. It turned out that one was just a range finder. On the half hour McCartney picked out Nixon, and 25 yards out, he rolled his marker before sending an unstoppable curling shot inside the near post to open the scoring! Porter sent another off target as United attempted to hit right back, and then drove another shot right at Gerard Doherty after Adam Tann played him into space in the box. A free kick on the edge of the box was also then wasted by United as Gareth Mercer failed to get the required dip on his shot, as we went into the dressing rooms for the break a goal to the good, despite our visitors having had the best of the match so far.

McCartney took a knock late in that first half, but he did continue into the second half, where we come out determined to get a quick second goal. Nixon held the ball up on the right, and fed it to Shaw. The strikers effort at goal was blocked, the ball rebounding out to the feet of McCartney, who's first time shot was pushed back into the goalmouth by keeper Bobby Collins, where Nixon swept it against the far post and out to safety. On the hour, Nixon had another go, this time with a header from a Tony Jones cross that Collins turned around the post. It was at this point I made two of my changes, not entirely voluntarily either. McCartney could go no further, and neither could Dickinson who had also taken a whack. Ryan Young and John Robertson came on in their place, and the latter immediately played a through ball into the box that Shaw hit against the outside of the near post on it's way wide. The game was now opening up and becoming a free for all, which didn't necessarily suit us at this point. Porter continued to shoot on sight, the latest effort just high and wide, while at the other end, Shaw won a fifty fifty challenge and got the ball wide to Gavin Whelan, who's low cross picked out Nixon in the middle, but he dragged his shot wide! Inside the final twenty minutes, and United were going on the attack with two changes to that effect too. They were leaving gaps though, and first Shaw shanked a shot wide, before Nixon saw a powerful header acrobatically turned over the bar. Stewart Devine was now limping a bit, but even though we had one sub left, we didn't have a defender left on the bench, and unwilling to make a big shake up at this point, he soldiered on for us. That sub was eventually used late on, with Martin Friars coming on for a Senior Debut in place of Shaw. At the back Ryan Young was doing a great job, making a last ditch challenge to prevent Porter having yet another go after he got past Declan O'Hara. Then in the final minute of the ninety, Collins tried to launch the ball up the park, but he didn't get the right connection. Robertson brought the ball down on halfway and sent Friars in on the shoulder of the last defender. And what composure from the sixteen year old, as he cut across the defender to prevent him pinching the ball, and then unselfishly squared to Robson, who side footed the ball into the empty net to seal the deal!

Coleraine (1) 2 - Gerry Nixon (30), Matty Robson (90)
Ballymena United (0) 0
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Declan O'Hara, Andy Dickinson (inj - Ryan Young 60), Stewart Devine; Keith Steenson ©, Michael McCartney (inj - John Robertson 60); Gavin Whelan, Matty Robson; Stuart Shaw (Martin Friars 86), Gerry Nixon.
Unused Substitutes :- Colin Canning, Ryan Twist.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 54% - 46%. Man of the Match :- Gerry Nixon (Coleraine).

Ahhhhhh, now that felt great to get by our most bitter of rivals! Gerry Nixon was involved in everything this afternoon, seizing his chance to play after falling down the pecking order a bit this season. And what about young Martin Friars, what a cool head he showed in his brief cameo at the end to set up Matty Robson.

But, it wasn't a victory without sacrifice. Michael McCartney suffered a damaged heel that will keep him out for a few weeks, whilst Andy Dickinson has gashed leg that will mean he is likely sidelined for the rest of the month. Neither is an absolute disaster, as we only have two Cup games remaining this month, a League Cup Third Round return against Linfield, and an Intermediate Cup Second Round tie away to Abbey Villa.......

.....actually, add one more to that. The draw has just been made for the Fourth Round of the Northern Irish Cup, and what does the draw through up as a twist? Yep, we're drawn at home to Ballymena United, so we get to do all this again in three weeks time.

The added injury issues are an annoyance, though there is at least a little bit of good news for our increasingly threadbare squad, with Chris Johnston passed fit to return to training next week.

Sunday 8th November
With Pat McIlroy only days away from a return to training, he receives the call up from Northern Ireland Under-21 manager Steve Beaglehole for their double header of home fixtures in the UEFA 2017 European Under-21 Championships Qualifiers against Greece and Denmark, which will both be played in Lisburn.

Monday 9th November
Obviously we know that Gerard Doherty will be included in the First Division Team of the Week. But the mystery is finding out who joins him. This week it is left back Stewart Devine, and striker Gerry Nixon.

Tuesday 10th November
Our League obligations for November are now over, almost for the year in fact. It's Cup football that will now come to the forefront, starting with the most difficult tie of the lot. We'll travel into the Capital tomorrow, a trip to the National Stadium of Windsor Park in Belfast for our return game of the Third Round League Cup tie with Linfield. We came out of the First Leg with a very credible three all draw, but we are 10/1 shots for the return. We might well need more than the luck of the Irish to reach the Quarter-Finals here.

Wednesday 11th November

Northern Irish League Cup, Third Round, Second Leg
Windsor Park, Belfast
Linfield v Coleraine (3-3 on aggregate)
Attendance :- 456. Weather :- Dry, 11c.

Two injuries from the win against Ballymena on the weekend mean changes tonight. Ryan Young gets a first start since joining the club, replacing Andy Dickinson at centre back, while in midfield Michael McCartney is also now on the sidelines, with John Robertson selected for a defensive looking partnership with Keith Steenson. Both Chris Johnston and Pat McIlroy return, though neither is considered fit enough to start, not that I wasn't tempted with Johnston, who I'd like to have started on the right and move Gavin Whelan into the centre. There are further repercussions of the injuries, with Robert Donaghy brought into the matchday squad, along with 18 year old midfielder Gary Campbell, a Youth product who hasn't yet made his Senior First Team debut.

That defensive looking midfield creaked in the early part of the game, and then crumbled as early on as the 12th minute. Skipper Keith Steenson was outnumbered in the middle of the park by Mark Miskimmon and Rhys Devlin. The latter sent winger Nathan Fearon into space, and his cross from the right landed perfectly for Warren Featherstone to half volley home from 15 yards out, and we find ourselves behind in the tie. Having put the hosts in front, the winger almost doubled the Linfield lead moments later, the ball falling to him from a corner, Gerard Doherty saving the close range effort with his feet. Stewart Devine got booked as we looked like we were about to be over run, Miskimmon sending a shot from range well over the bar. Michael Constable sent his shot from range wide of the target, while Miskimmon fared no better with a header from a very narrow angle. It had been one way traffic, but we had managed to limit the damage in the first half.

The second half didn't look like it was going to be any different, Constable sending in an early shot from distance that again missed the target. Moments after that, Ole Petersen's cross from the left found Miskimmon, this time he passed up the chance to shoot and laid the ball off to Devlin, who's shot was fielded fairly easily by Doherty. The same combination had another go, Miskimmon cutting the ball back to Devlin on the edge of the box, but he scooped that one well over the bar. Left winger Mervyn Wilson had two cracks at getting a cross over, and when they both got blocked he decided to try and catch Doherty out himself, the keeper only just getting across goal to stop the ball going inside the near post. There was nothing the keeper could do as the hour approached though, Featherstone finding Miskimmon and the striker turned inside one defender, faked to shoot to work his way past another, and then performed the same trick on Doherty, the keeper going down to save a shot that didn't come, and he rounded him before sending in his finish to make it two-nil. With our backs firmly against the ropes, we came out swinging, John Robertson flicking on a long ball up the park, Stuart Shaw touching it on for Gavin Whelan, but the winger blazed his effort over the bar. But we weren't giving up, and with just over a quarter of an hour to play Devine sent the ball down the left wing for Matty Robson, the winger cutting infield to wrong foot his marker, and then picking out Shaw in the box, and the striker drove home his shot to reduce the arrears and bring us back into the game. Now it was a completely different game, and Devine picked up a cross field ball from Tony Jones and made enough space for a cross, Robson sending it goalwards and keeper Ryan Walsh turning it away. With two more goals needed, we went for broke. Jones and Robertson were replaced by the returning Chris Johnston and Pat McIlroy for the final stages. The chances didn't fall our way though, and while we put up a great fight, we are out of the League Cup.

Linfield (1) 2 - Warren Featherstone (12), Mark Miskimmon (59)
Coleraine (0) 1 - Stuart Shaw (74)
(Linfield win 5-4 on aggregate)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones (Chris Johnston 83), Declan O'Hara, Ryan Young, Stewart Devine; Keith Steenson ©, John Robertson (Pat McIlroy 83); Gavin Whelan, Matty Robson; Stuart Shaw, Gerry Nixon.
Unused Substitutes :- Roberty Donaghy, Gary Campbell, Ryan Twist.
Bookings :- Stewart Devine 25
Possession :- 46% - 54%. Man of the Match :- Mark Miskimmon (Linfield).

It's always disappointing to get beat and knocked out of a Cup. But Linfield are one of the best domestically, so there's no disgrace in being beaten by the odd goal in nine over two games against them. The way things are going this season with the halfway point just a game away, it could be that this was a dress rehearsal for next season. If that turns out to be the case, we might not be in bad shape for a return to the top tier, provided the financial situation that has gradually got worse throughout the year, doesn't suddenly become an issue.

[neilhoskins77]

Friday 13th November 2015
Pat McIlroy has this evening earned his ninth cap for Northern Ireland Under-21's, starting and playing the full ninety minutes in the goalless draw with Greece Under-21's in Lisburn.

Tuesday 17th November
After winning his ninth cap at Under-21 level last Friday, it's now into double figures for Pat McIlroy as he wins his 10th cap in the 2-0 defeat at home to Denmark. This time it was as a substitute, coming on just after the hour to replace 17 year old Derry City prospect Keith Armstrong. 

Friday 20th November
Our run of Cup action continues tomorrow afternoon, where we will be nailed on favourites for the Intermediate Cup Second Round tie that will see us travel to face non-League side Abbey Villa. And I really do mean nailed on favourites, you can get 50/1 on our hosts, which are ridiculous odds in a two horse race. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to a good outing from my players to help me put last weekend in Malaysia out of my mind!

Saturday 21st November

Northern Irish Intermediate Cup, Second Round
Adams Park, Millisle
Abbey Villa v Coleraine
Attendance :- 177. Weather :- Wet, 4c.

We head to the far east of the nation, and the village of Millisle, one of the closest spots of Northern Ireland to the UK mainland, and the home of non-League side Abbey Villa who host this Intermediate Cup tie this afternoon. After ten days without a game, and without another for a week, there's no reason to weaken the team today, are there are no changes from the starting lineup or matchday squad from the defeat against Linfield last time out.

It was obvious from the outset that we were several levels above Villa, as time and again we pinched possession from them easily, and John Robertson should've put us ahead very early, but tried to be too precise with his finish. Gerry Nixon had the next chance, firing over after Gavin Whelan cushioned the ball down for him. The big Scottish striker would miss two more quick chances too, sending a shot on the turn over, before he was played in by Stuart Shaw only to see keeper Michael Grant block his attempt to slot the ball by the keeper. He turned out to be much better at setting up his partner, and in the 20th minute he picked out Shaw with a low cross along the edge of the box, and Shaw kept his shot low to pick out the bottom corner to put us ahead. And now we were off and running, from the kick off defender Simon Adair miscontrolled, Shaw robbed the ball from him, and played Nixon in to return the favour, the big lad rounding Grant and netting our second within a minute. Our purple patch would continue ten minutes later, a rare Villa excursion up the park was snuffed out, and Tony Jones sent the pass left to Matty Robson. The winger made good ground, before picking out Shaw against a slower defender, the striker getting into the box before lifting his shot over the onrushing Grant to make it three. Fair play to the young Villa side, they didn't let their heads drop, and did hit right back this time. Andy Steele stood up a cross from the left edge of the box to the far post, Kevin Marks headed it back across goal, where the ball just kind of stopped on the heavy pitch, which was perfect for early substitute Kyle Devlin, as he thumped it home from close range to get the non-League side on the board. Shaw should have extended our lead before the break, Nixon flicking the ball on to send him through, but it just wouldn't sit for him on the poor playing surface, and his effort was easy for Grant to deal with.

With everything pretty well under control at the break, it was really just a case of making sure the players didn't hit the snooze button. Shaw didn't need any encouraging, as he picked up a booking soon after the restart for an over zealous and unnecessary tackle inside the Villa half. Shaw took his frustration out on the ball, hitting a 20 yarder on the bounce and almost finding the Irish Sea with it. Villa were now a bit more street wise to our ways, and the chances were not quite as plentiful as they had been in the first half. Not to say there were none though, Robertson guided a through ball into the path of Shaw, who checked his run to earn a yard from the defender, then just missed the target with a right footed effort. Just after the hour mark, I emptied the subs bench, making all three at the same time, Robertson, Robson and Nixon coming off to be replaced by Chris Johnston, Ryan Twist and Pat McIlroy as we tried and get some more players a bit of game time. Predictably, that ruined the flow of the game, not that it mattered too much to us. Pat McIlroy managed to get his head to a Tony Jones cross, but that one just looped over the bar, the best late effort we created, while Villa did level up the count on bookings, Stuart Harris complaining to long and loudly for a penalty after what he felt was a foul by Declan O'Hara. A comfortable afternoons work, and we move into Round Three.

Abbey Villa (1) 1 - Kyle Devlin (34)
Coleraine (3) 3 - Stuart Shaw (20,33), Gerry Nixon (21)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Declan O'Hara, Ryan Young, Stewart Devine; Keith Steenson ©, John Robertson (Chris Johnston 62); Gavin Whelan, Matty Robson (Ryan Twist 62); Stuart Shaw, Gerry Nixon (Pat McIlroy 62).
Unused Substitutes :- Robert Donaghy, Gary Campbell.
Bookings :- Stuart Shaw 47
Possession :- 35% - 65%. Man of the Match :- Stuart Shaw (Coleraine).

So we may have got soaked out on the East Coast, but we return home with progress in a Cup that our Reserve side won a few times in the 1960's, but otherwise we had never won until 2013. There's a shortage of silverware with my name on it, after a couple of laden years in my first stint in Ulster with Lurgan Celtic, I'm hoping I am at the right club to start putting some more Winner's Medals on the mantelpiece now. Certainly the draw for Round Three is kind to us, as we're drawn at home to Newington YC. They're currently sat in middle table in the Second Division, which is a second consecutive season for them at that level for the first time since the save began. We'll host them in that tie at The Showgrounds on Boxing Day.

There is more good news today, with our still slim looking squad depth boosted with the news that midfielder Michael McCartney will be back in training from Monday. The 26 year old is in his first season with the club, and while he has been mostly used from the bench, he has still appeared in 17 fixtures so far this season in all competitions.

Tuesday 24th November
We are hurtling towards the end of the calendar year, and while we are not quite at the halfway point of the season, I do have to start planning for what next season may bring. A large group of my Squad have contracts that are due to end next season, and with no idea what Division we will be playing in, though hopeful it will be the Premier Division, and also no clue where we will be with the finances, I need to start locking some of the better players into the club. I start with one to test the water, and Tony Jones is absolutely on the list of players we'd want to keep. The right back earns £200 a week right now, and while I'd like to cut the wages of some that I still want to keep, Jones does receive an offer of a two year extension on the same terms. Should we get promoted, that would be a net pay rise, as most players do have an agreement of an automatic pay rise or decrease in the event of promotion or relegation.

Thursday 26th November
Tony Jones is keen, and takes less than 48 hours to sign and return the paperwork for his two year contract extension. That's excellent news, and the Scottish right back who I brought to the club almost a year ago now has signed up to stay at The Showgrounds until Summer 2018. He's played 22 League games since joining us, keeping an average rating of well over seven, as well as adding five goals and three assists.

Several more players, including Stuart Shaw, Gerry Nixon, Matty Robson and Michael McCartney receive new contract offers today. Most are being asked to take a wage cut. McCartney is the odd one out in the group, in that he isn't a regular starter. He is being overpaid at £350 per week though, and he is being asked to take a significant drop, which if agreed will allow him to stay at the club, and also potentially allow us to look at our options in the January Transfer Window should we feel the need.

Friday 27th November
Tomorrow is my 38th birthday. Slightly more importantly, it's also Derby Day, as we host Ballymena United in the Fourth Round of the Northern Irish FA Cup. When we hosted them here in the League just three weeks ago, we sent them home defeated by 2-0. The bookies make us odds on favourites, and there should be a bumper crowd at The Showgrounds to see if they're right.

Also potentially at the game will be centre back Andy Dickinson. Passed fit to return to training today, the centre back won't be rushed back with Ryan Young doing a decent job in his enforced absence. But Dickinson is keen to be involved, and could yet be included amongst the substitutes. He also has a new contract offer to consider, the latest to be offered a new deal as we continue to test the waters and start to shape our Squad for next season.

Saturday 28th November
So a big day of football awaits then, but it starts with a defeat for our Under-18's as they are beaten in Lisburn by the youngsters of Distillery. There had already been a missed penalty from Jason O'Connor by the time attacking midfielder Glenn Hartley put the hosts ahead before the break at the New Grovesnor Stadium, and their lead was extended right after the restart when Shane McAree put the ball into his own net. Paul McMaster continued his excellent goalscoring form, the centre back scoring his fifth of the season just before the hour mark to bring the game back to within a goal, but Hartley soon netted again, and Distillery move into the top half of Group 1, just a single point back from our lads who now sit 7th.

Northern Irish Cup, Fourth Round
The Showgrounds, Coleraine
Coleraine v Ballymena United
Attendance :- 468. Weather :- Dry, 9c.

One of our nearest and biggest rivals are here again for the second time in three weeks, this time in a Cup game that attracts a crowd almost double the size we have been averaging his season, which is great to see. There are no changes to the starting lineup for the third straight game, but there are a pair of changes amongst the substitutes. Andy Dickinson and Michael McCartney are both available again, and while not deemed fit enough to challenge for a starting spot, they do replace Robert Donaghy and Gary Campbell amongst our options to change things around if needed.

We came so close to opening the scoring with just seven minutes on the clock, Tony Jones attempted to celebrate his new contract with a free kick that came back off the angle of upright and cross bar. Gerry Nixon sent a shot over the bar before we forced ourselves into the lead in the 17th minute, and what a pretty goal it was too. Seven outfield players were involved in a show of slick one touch passing that concluded with Nixon touching the ball into the path of Gavin Whelan, who sent his shot under the keepers dive and into the bottom corner to put us a goal to the good. Ballymena's response was not a good one, Gareth Mercer lucky not to be shown a straight red card for his ill timed and two footed lunge at Ryan Young. They were punished on the scoreboard though, Whelan playing a one-two with Nixon, before sending a reverse pass into the box for Stuart Shaw. The angle was tight, but Bobby Collins hadn't done a good enough job covering his near post, and Shaw blasted it by him to double our lead. And still we poured forward to attack, almost at will, Whelan's inswinging cross was aimed at Shaw, that one slightly too close to Collins, before a through ball was caught nicely on the bounce by Nixon with Collins well off his line, the attempted lob just clearing the cross bar. But number three was on the way, five minutes before the break Stewart Devine swung in a left footed free kick from the right, Adam Tann was given the shout to leave it, and he did. But Shaw didn't, throwing himself at it to connect with a bullet header into the roof of the net from only a few yards out, and we were now three up and cruising.

I told my players not to fall into the trap of thinking that this was all over, and to keep their heads in the game, it was a Derby Day after all. Certainly United looked more dangerous than they had in the first half when the second half got underway, both Mark Ellison and Robert Saunders sending in crosses that needed to be dealt with by our defence, before Tim Porter drove in a shot that John Robertson bravely blocked. They pressed on, Neil Ashton's shot taking a deflection that only just sent it the wrong side of the post from a Ballymena point of view. They were leaving spaces for a counter attack as a result though, Shaw letting fly from range as he sensed the chance of a Cup hatrick, his powerful effort wide of the mark though, before Nixon forced a smart stop from Collins with a shot aimed at the top corner. United would get a boost though as the halfway mark of the second half neared, Young sending the ball back to keeper Gerard Doherty, and the keepers first touch saw the ball escape much too far in front of him, and sub Paul Hamilton was on him in a flash, whipping the ball away from him and finishing into the unguarded net from 15 yards out to pull a goal back. Young was quickly brought off, nothing to do with his back pass and everything to do with him still struggling from that first half tackle, Andy Dickinson coming on in his place. United were running out of gas though, Tann and Michael Clements both picking up bookings, while I made further changes, Nixon brought off for Pat McIlroy, before Robertson was subbed for Chris Johnston. There would be another late push from United, sub Nigel McClelland played in through the middle, but he lacked composure with his finish, blasting a shot at goal and over the bar when a more deft touch was needed. Once more, Ballymena leave The Showgrounds with their tails between their legs.

Coleraine (3) 3 - Gavin Whelan (17), Stuart Shaw (26,40)
Ballymena United (0) 1 - Paul Hamilton (63)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Declan O'Hara, Ryan Young (Andy Dickinson 64), Stewart Devine; Keith Steenson ©, John Robertson (Chris Johnston 86); Gavin Whelan, Matty Robson; Stuart Shaw, Gerry Nixon (Pat McIlroy 78).
Unused Substitutes :- Michael McCartney, Ryan Twist.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 52% - 48%. Man of the Match :- Stuart Shaw (Coleraine).

A double for a second successive weekend in a Cup match from our in form Scottish striker sends us into the Last 32 of the Northern Irish Cup, or the Fifth Round as it's more commonly known. That's now six goals in five cup games over various competitions for the 22 year old, who edges closer to double figures for the season. He gets a kind word from Ballymena boss Eddie Patterson for his trouble. That's a bit more than Patterson gets from me, as I rub his nose in it that it's now two out of two against our neighbours this season.

The draw is made for Round Five of the Cup, and it brings us a very interesting test. We are one again drawn at home, which is good. This time though it will be Premier Division opposition for us, in the form of the current second placed side Newry City. Their fortunes have been in contrast to our own at Coleraine, as while we have become the yo-yo club that they used to be, they are now a stable top half Premier Division club, even getting in a European adventure or two. The head to head between the two clubs shows 19 matches since the save began, with Newry edging the advantage with 9 wins to 8. They were all Premier Division matches, and on Saturday 9th January we'll see who wins the first Cup clash between us.

Sunday 29th November
The man on form is signed up for another season at least with us at The Showgrounds, as Stuart Shaw signs a one year extension, on a deal that sees his wages remain at £100 a week. I don't think anyone could argue that he provides serious value for money at that amount, and I hope he can fire the goals that earn us a return to the Premier Division. There is some saving done today though, as 30 year old English left winger Matty Robson also agrees a new deal today to stay for another season, and there is a wage cut here. With four goals and nine assists in nineteen games across all competitions, Robson has stepped up this season, rising to the challenge of keeping newcomer Ryan Twist out of the team. His £275 per week contract is now down to £200 per week however, great news for us, as we are now less than £150 over our weekly budget, and with some more potential savings yet to be made.

One of those less keen to help out are finances though is centre back Andy Dickinson. The 20 year old Rawmarsh born player is on £160 per week at the moment, and rightly points out that his fine form this season is something he hoped would justify a better salary than what I was offering as I try to drag my outgoings down a few notches. The door isn't closed though, and he wants to keep talking and reach an agreement.

Monday 30th November
Gerry Nixon has joined the Andy Dickinson camp, and has also refused our new contract offer that would have seen his £120 per week wage drop down to £100. Nixon is looking for £150 per week, which isn't going to work for us right now, but hopefully we can at least managed to thrash something out to keep him at the club, because he is absolutely a handful for opposition defences.

[neilhoskins77]

Tuesday 1st December 2015
The calendar year of 2015 is drawing to a close, but while the football season of 2015/16 is heating up, that isn't reflected in the diary for this month, which has just two First Team games scheduled. We will be at home in both of them, starting with a visit from 12th placed Banbridge Town in the First Division on the Saturday before Christmas, followed by a visit from Second Division club Newington YC in the Third Round of the Intermediate Cup the following Saturday, which is Boxing Day.

Left winger Ryan Twist is starting to show signs of losing his patience at waiting for his opportunity. He's used the media to issue a plea for more regular First Team football rather than coming to me directly, a move that is never likely to go down very well. 27 year old Twist has stated that he will start looking for a new club if he doesn't get more chances soon. His £130 per week contract runs out in the summer, and he has not as yet been offered a new deal.

Someone who has been offered a new deal, and has now signed up on a contract extension is 20 year old centre back Andy Dickinson. He's been one of our stand out performers this season, and while that isn't reflected in his new contract, the fact that we want to keep him with the potential of Premier Division football returning to The Showgrounds, very much is. He has signed a new extended deal to take him through to the Summer of 2017, which will pay him £110 per week, a £50 weekly saving for us on his current £160 weekly salary, though he will get some of that that back if we manage to bag the promotion.

At The Showgrounds, the Board have declared themselves pleased with how things are going right now, in particular the Northern Irish Cup Fourth Round win over Ballymena United. The club did however lose another £10,500 last month, and we're now £306,500 in the red.

Wednesday 2nd December
With Andy Dickinson ending his short stand off over his contract talks, Scottish forward Gerry Nixon has also done the same today. He has also signed a one year extension through to the summer of 2017, and he keeps his £120 per week salary. Nixon makes up one part of a quartet of a strikers that could cause Premier Division defences some real problems if we can get the job done this season.

Thursday 3rd December
One of that quartet returns to training today after an injury lay off. 18 year old homegrown striker Andy McMillan has scored four goals in all competitions this season, and is back after four weeks out with a thigh injury suffered at Ards during the 1-0 win where he got the only goal.

Sunday 6th December
It might be eight and a half years until the 2024 UEFA European Championship Finals, but the race to host the Tournament is hotting up. The host is due to be named at the conclusion of the 2016 Finals, and right now it is the view of many that Belgium are the favourites, with France and Holland also in contention. Next summers European showpiece of International Football is being held in Spain.

Thursday 17th December
Geoff Ferris is my Assistant Manager at the club, and has been since I arrived. He is the latest to receive a new contract offer to stay on at the club.

Friday 18th December
Tomorrow we are considered absolutely nailed on favourites for the only First Division date we have for December, and therefore our final League match of the calendar year 2015 as Banbridge Town come to visit us at The Showgrounds. They're currently sat in 12th place, and with the halfway point of the season approaching look set to be involved in the dog fight, though they are the right side of the dotted line at the moment. They're 12/1 shots to pull off a shock win and plant a dent in our promotion hopes.

Saturday 19th December
The Under-18's get a double header at The Showgrounds off to a perfect start, as they thump Newry City's youngsters 4-0 in a late morning kick off today. After his superb cameo performance off the bench for the First Team recently against Ballymena United, young striker Martin Friars did his growing reputation no harm here. He netted a double, as did our goalscoring centre back Paul McMaster, a goal in each half for both players.

Northern Irish First Division
The Showgrounds, Coleraine
Coleraine v Banbridge Town
Attendance :- 209. Weather :- Drizzle, 6c.

John Robertson is left out for this one, with Michael McCartney brought into the midfield to partner Keith Steenson, the only change to either starting lineup or matchday squad from our last game three weeks ago. Banbridge came to defend, with just one up front, and two banks of four with a defensive midfielder in between as well. We could have broke through early, Stewart Devine sending the ball over their right back and Stuart Shaw ran in behind, but keeper Ryan Lovell saved the shot with his legs. A Devine free kick then only just missed the head of Ryan Young. But from the next set piece, Lovell dropped the ball, or at least didn't catch it. He believed he was about to comfortably field Matty Robson's corner delivery, but centre back Declan O'Hara threw himself at it, and Lovell couldn't adjust, the header flying into the roof of the net. Then five minutes later, Gavin Whelan sent over a corner from the other side, this one clearing Lovell, and O'Hara was there again to apply the simple finish for his second of the day and fifth of the season. Midway through the half though, Michael McCartney gave the ball away on halfway, and Town counter attacked at pace, Eddie Stanford receiving the ball in the left channel, and chipping it into the middle. As Gerard Doherty scrambled back across his goal, Eamon McCarthy headed it back where he had come from and halved our lead. We got right back on the front foot, a Gavin Whelan cut back from the byline being cleared away from Shaw right at the last second. Ten minutes before the break, Whelan cut in from the right wing, and his overhit cross floated right over Lovell's head and into the top corner to reinstate our two goal advantage. We could have extended that lead further before the break, Keith Steenson's through ball found Robson, but Lovell made another save with his legs to keep his side in with a punchers chance at least.

We kept our foot to the floor at the start of the second half, Shaw producing an outrageous 'Cryuff turn' to get between a pair of defenders before hitting a shot from range that swerved unpredictably and Lovell did well to keep out. At the other end, Stanford sent a shot across goal wide as Town's chances to attack became fewer and further between. On the hour mark, a Whelan free kick across goal picked out Shaw, the striker turning to earn his shooting space, but then blasting his effort wide of goal. I started to turn to the bench a little while after that, Gerry Nixon replaced by Pat McIlroy, before Lovell pushed a whipped Whelan free kick towards O'Hara, the bounce of the ball leaving the centre back unable to get a contact when a hatrick chance was there. That was one of his last acts, as with a booking to his name he was replaced by Andy Dickinson with quarter of an hour to play, McCartney switched for Chris Johnston at the same time. McIlroy nearly caught out Lovell with a cheeky shot from range that nearly crept inside the near post. But the curtain call would belong to centre back Young, who connected with a Whelan free kick at the near post in the 90th minute to net his first ever Coleraine goal, and round out a fairly routine win that would send us nine points clear going into 2016!

Coleraine (3) 4 - Declan O'Hara (13,19), Gavin Whelan (35), Ryan Young (90)
Banbridge Town (1) 1 - Eamon McCarthy (24)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Declan O'Hara (Andy Dickinson 75), Ryan Young, Stewart Devine; Keith Steenson ©, Michael McCartney (Chris Johnston 75); Gavin Whelan, Matty Robson; Stuart Shaw, Gerry Nixon (Pat McIlroy 67).
Unused Substitutes :- John Robertson, Ryan Twist.
Bookings :- Declan O'Hara 37
Possession :- 57% - 43%. Man of the Match :- Declan O'Hara (Coleraine).

If only every Saturday afternoon was as comfortable as that one. We have a great spread of goalscoring through the team, and the only defender who has played regularly this season and not yet scored a League goal is Stewart Devine. In fact, two of our top three goalscorers in the First Division are defenders, with Declan O'Hara now joining Andy McMillan on three goals, and Tony Jones leading the way with four.

O'Hara was brought into the club as an experienced hand to see us stabilise things from the back of the team, and his influence is clear, both on the park and off. He is the joint highest paid player at the club right now, and is contracted through next season as well. There's no doubt he's earning his money right now, and he rightly takes the plaudits after his two goal display this afternoon.

Monday 21st December
Four of our players are included in the First Division Team of the Week, the highest amount of inclusion from a single club this week. Gerard Doherty, Tony Jones, Declan O'Hara and Gavin Whelan are the quartet included.

Tuesday 22nd December
New extended contracts are agreed for both my Assistant Manager and Scout, who will both continue on the same terms as before until Summer 2017.

Wednesday 23rd December
19 year old Reserve team goalkeeper Trevor Smyth has gone through this season so far on a non-contract basis. He's been left in something of a difficult situation. He's too old for the Under-18's, the Reserves have no fixtures, and he can't be loaned out as he has no contract. Now he's demanding a deal be hashed out. The teenager is told that at this time, there is no new deal for him.

Thursday 24th December
It's a Christmas Eve press conference as we prepare for our Boxing Day encounter at home to Newington to round out the year in the Third Round of the Northern Irish Intermediate Cup. It was hard to pretend that I was anything other than confident we would overturn the Second Division side who are currently in the midst of a very tight promotion race as they look to move into the second tier for the first time in their history. Will they see this as an opportunity to try and make a name for themselves, or will they be concentrating on their League games? According to the bookies, it's more likely to be the latter.

Saturday 26th December
The Under-18's kick off the day again, but it doesn't go well for them in Dundonald. They are soundly beaten by their opposite numbers from Ards at the Billy Neill Complex. Centre back Ryan Chambers scored a first goal of the season in the first half, before Harry McConnell and Lee Tracey netted in the final ten minutes. Our youngsters drop down to sixth spot in Group 1.

Northern Irish Intermediate Cup, Third Round
The Showgrounds, Coleraine
Coleraine v Newington YC
Attendance :- 230. Weather :- Downpours, 7c.

Just like Banbridge Town last week, Newington had clearly come to defend, with extra time and penalties scheduled for this one if no winner could be found in the 90 minutes. I made a couple of changes with Ryan Young, Michael McCartney and Gerry Nixon all rested today, with the latter left out of the squad. Andy Dickinson, Chris Johnston and Pat McIlroy are brought in, with Gavin Whelan going into the midfield and Andy McMillan selected on the bench. The downpours were certainly causing issues, and not just for those getting a soaking in the stands. Andy Dickinson tried to glance in an 8th minute header, but he didn't get anything like enough on the ball, while Stuart Shaw was denied a chance on goal when the ball held up frustratingly in the rain soaked surface. A later chance for the Scottish striker was sent over the bar, while a free kick from Stewart Devine was well off the target. The best chance created came right before the break. Chris Johnston had some room down the right before feeding Pat McIlroy, who switched the play left to Matty Robson. The winger shaped to whip in a cross, but then sent it back towards the corner of the box where Keith Steenson was arriving to walk onto the pass and send in a first time shot that only just missed it's intended mark, clipping the cross bar on it's way over.

Johnston was involved again early in the second half, one cross cleared, another picking out Whelan who just missed the target with a volley. Our dominance continued, Robson's low cross finding Shaw with his back to goal, the striker denied a scoring opportunity by the double team of Isaac Sesay and Glenn McDonnell. And shortly after that McDonnell was involved at the other end in a rare foray forward from our visitors, George Robertson cutting the ball back to him 15 yards out, but McDonnell scuffed his shot wide in the best chance Newington had created so far. Full back Tony Jones had a raid down the right flank that saw him make it all the way into the box and stand up a cross that Phillip Millar had to head away from Shaw at the last second. Moments later Johnston tried the same route, before stepping inside Neil Singleton who left his leg hanging out to bring down our winger right on the edge of the box, just the wrong side of the line from our point of view, Singleton got booked, while Robson's free kick curled right through the six yard box with no one able to apply the finishing touch. Then with a little under 20 minutes to play, Whelan took a shot that was deflected away from goal. The Newington players stopped, happy to let it run out for a corner. But the ball didn't make it that far, Jones was on high alert, and kept the ball in play, cutting back inside a sliding tackle and then tucking a shot low past Aaron Jameson inside his near post to finally open the scoring. Now Newington would need to come out of their shells, and that would leave plenty of room for us to try and finish them off. A last gasp clearance was needed to prevent Robson having a tap in, before Johnston danced his way into the box before sending in a low shot that Jameson saved with his legs. Johnston, Robson and McIlroy were all substituted for like for like personnel in Michael McCartney, Ryan Twist and Andy McMillan late on as Whelan went back out to the wing, with us continuing to press our guests back to prevent them from pinching an equaliser. 

Coleraine (0) 1 - Tony Jones (73)
Newington YC (0) 0
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Declan O'Hara, Andy Dickinson, Stewart Devine; Keith Steenson ©, Gavin Whelan; Chris Johnston (Michael McCartney 83), Matty Robson (Ryan Twist 83); Stuart Shaw, Pat McIlroy (Andy McMillan 83).
Unused Substitutes :- Ryan Young, John Robertson.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 60% - 40%. Man of the Match :- Tony Jones (Coleraine).

A progression into the Fourth Round that was considerably more comfortable than the score might suggest at a glance. Other than that small scare when Glenn McDonnell sidefooted a poor finish wide when he should have scored, we were not really caused any major worries by the third tier side, who will now return to League action in the New Year and attempt to secure a first ever promotion into the First Division.

The draw for Round Four, the last sixteen, takes place later in the evening, though our opponents are as yet unknown. That's because we have been drawn to play away to either Police Service of Northern Ireland or Donegal Celtic, who play their all-First Division tie in the Third Round this coming Wednesday on the penultimate day of the year. The Fourth Round fixtures are scheduled for late January.

Wednesday 30th December
After a 0-0 draw at Newforge Lane, the Third Round Intermediate Cup tie would go all the way to spot kicks, where Police Service of Northern Ireland squeezed past Donegal Celtic 3-2 on penalties. They will now host us on Saturday 30th January in the Fourth Round. It's a draw that history would suggest suits us. The teams had never met before October 2014, and have now played each other five times. We're unbeaten in those fixtures, winning four, including an August win at Newforge.

[neilhoskins77]

2015/16 Northern Irish First Division Standings, Up To & Including Thursday 31st December 2015

| Pos   | Inf   | Team              |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   |

| 1st   |       | Coleraine         |       | 12    | 9     | 2     | 1     | 19    | 8     | +11   | 29    |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 2nd   |       | Limavady Utd      |       | 12    | 5     | 5     | 2     | 25    | 18    | +7    | 20    |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 3rd   |       | Annagh Utd        |       | 12    | 4     | 7     | 1     | 19    | 13    | +6    | 19    |
| 4th   |       | Wakehurst         |       | 12    | 5     | 4     | 3     | 16    | 12    | +4    | 19    |
| 5th   |       | Distillery        |       | 12    | 4     | 7     | 1     | 13    | 10    | +3    | 19    |
| 6th   |       | Ballymena Utd     |       | 12    | 4     | 6     | 2     | 17    | 13    | +4    | 18    |
| 7th   |       | Carrick           |       | 12    | 3     | 7     | 2     | 9     | 6     | +3    | 16    |
| 8th   |       | Donegal Celtic    |       | 12    | 4     | 4     | 4     | 11    | 11    | 0     | 16    |
| 9th   |       | Ards              |       | 12    | 4     | 2     | 6     | 10    | 15    | -5    | 14    |
| 10th  |       | Armagh            |       | 12    | 3     | 4     | 5     | 17    | 20    | -3    | 13    |
| 11th  |       | P.S.N.I.          |       | 12    | 3     | 2     | 7     | 9     | 15    | -6    | 11    |
| 12th  |       | Banbridge         |       | 12    | 2     | 5     | 5     | 10    | 20    | -10   | 11    |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 13th  |       | Queens University |       | 12    | 2     | 3     | 7     | 9     | 16    | -7    | 9     |
| 14th  |       | Bangor            |       | 12    | 1     | 4     | 7     | 11    | 18    | -7    | 7     |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[neilhoskins77]

Friday 1st January 2016
A New Year, and hopefully 2016 is the year that Coleraine make their return to the Premier Division. Four League games this month will potentially go some way towards securing that aim. There are also two Cup games in the schedule, as we look to bring some silverware into the club to boost our profile, and hopefully the financial situation as well. The Transfer Window is now open for a month, but don't expect too much to be happening at The Showgrounds with the way our finances look. We lost another £12,000 last month, and the debt continues to mount up, almost £320,000 now.

Saturday 2nd January
Never mind new signings, all the talk right now around The Showgrounds is regarding dealing with contracts for current players, and regarding four in particular, it's a case of the 'will's' and the 'will nots' at the moment. Michael McCartney is still negotiating to get a wage closer to what he is expecting while still accepting that a pay drop is inevitable. Also in his camp is Trevor Smyth, the Reserve goalkeeper who still keeps complaining to the media that he hasn't received a contract offer.

In the case of those that are going to be staying, two more have signed on the dotted line. It's the two combative midfielders today, firstly John Robertson, the 21 year old Scot who has signed a one year extension with his wages dropping from £80 down to £65. Also remaining with us is the Club Captain and one of the The Showgrounds favourite sons, as Keith Steenson also signs a one year extension, with his wages remaining at the £20 per week level that he currently gets paid.

Sunday 3rd January
Michael McCartney has changed camp today, and signed a one year extension to remain at the club beyond the summer. Not only that, but he has taken a wage cut of nearly a third as well, with his weekly salary dropping from £350 a week down to £220. The 26 year old has stated he is delighted to be playing for a successful and well supported club, and wants to be part of what is being built at The Showgrounds. It's a development that means for the first time in quite a while, the club is running within it's allocated Wage Budget.

Monday 4th January
We're red hot favourites to win tomorrow night, priced at 1/4 for our trip to face Armagh City who currently sit 10th in the First Division, but have caused our club problems in recent times. It's nearly eighteen months since the clubs last met at Holm Park, where City recorded a 2-0 win. It was February last year when the teams last met at The Showgrounds, and ended in a goalless draw. Their dangerman is Ian Cox, a 22 year old attacking midfielder who has averaged almost a goal every other game this season in all competitions, though the large majority of them have come in the Cup competitions.

Tuesday 5th January
We have a new signing today. A chance presented itself, and the money made sense. The new arrival is 19 year old utility player Michael Hassan. A twice capped Northern Ireland Under-21 International who also has a goal at that level, Ballynahinch born Hassan has spent four years on the books of Republic of Ireland Premier Division club, Derry City. He played ten times over that period in the League for City, though has some experience this side of the border too, playing eleven times in the Premier Division during a loan spell with Institute in the 2013/14 campaign, also playing plenty of football during loan spell in the Republic with non-League side Letterkenny Rovers. Able to play at right back, defensive midfield, centre midfield or on the right wing, 5'10 Hassan has signed a £100 per week deal that will take him through to the end of next season, and provides some much needed cover for the club. 

His ability to play at right back allows us to make another move to reduce our wage bill once more after this deal takes it back over the allocated amount. I offer out of favour 21 year old right back Ray Doran a mutual termination deal. He refuses, stating that he believes he has the ability to be an important player for the club in the future. I disagree, and take the next step, paying Doran £3,000 to leave the club with immediate effect. He appeared twice for the club this season, both games in the League, being sent off in one of them.

Northern Irish First Division
Holm Park, Armagh
Armagh City v Coleraine
Attendance :- 225. Weather :- Gales, 7c.

Andy Dickinson and Chris Johnston keep their places after being brought in for the Newington game last weekend, but Pat McIlroy is back out of the matchday squad, with Andy McMillan selected to join Stuart Shaw up front, and Gerry Nixon selected amongst the substitutes. Gerard Doherty plays his 350th Career League game, and also his 100th for Coleraine. There is familiar face from the past in the opposition lineup, with 21 year old striker Daniel Walsh, who scored some vital goals in the season I saved Maidstone United from relegation, now plying his trade this side of the Irish Sea after a summer move.

City missed a great early chance when Walsh held the ball up outside the box and played it in to Dennis Perkins, but he was leaning back and sent his shot well over the bar. And moments later they were behind, Gerard Doherty's clearance down the park was wind assisted in the gales, and it flew over the heads of the back four, Stuart Shaw getting goal side of his marker and bringing the ball down, before sliding a low shot by Willem de Lange, and opening the scoring. City immediately switched to a more attacking setup, Paul Hoyle heading the ball over from a corner, before Chris Johnston's attempt at a cross field pass was blocked, and Gary Williams floated over a cross that Ian Cox headed home after getting between our centre backs. City reverted right back to their normal formation, and we caught them again. Keith Steenson won the ball in midfield and Johnston drove forward before picking out Andy McMillan in the box, the striker rolling his marker and then lashing his 5th of the season into the roof of the net, giving de Lange no chance. So the pattern continued, and City set themselves up to attack again. This time I adjusted too though, moving Steenson back into a defensive midfield role and asking the players to counter attack. It seemed to work too, Steenson there to help break play up when Walsh was played into space in our box. Then from a free kick, Walsh knocked the ball down to Gary Rutherford who struck a first time shot at goal that Doherty saved with his legs, the rebound falling right to Cox who drove another shot at goal, only to see Doherty spring to his feet and turn that one over the top as well. And before the break, we caught them again and extended our lead, Gavin Whelan whipping in a corner, and McMillan glanced home a header to make it 3-1!

Steenson was booked late in the first half, and I was tempted to bring him off. But he was having a great game, and I persevered with the skipper. He would get an assist for helping Tony Jones prevent Lorcan Fitzgerald get in on goal early after the restart too. Jones was almost effective at the other end too, curling a free kick around the wall and just missing the top corner. We were looking ragged at the back though, and failed to get the ball away allowing Walsh a shot at goal, Doherty again coming to the rescue with a superb reflex save. Sub Aaron Young sent over a cross that just missed Walsh, before another sub Michael Blackburn curled in a shot across goal that was just wide of the far post. Shaw was brought off after a knock, Gerry Nixon coming on in his place. Doherty had to make another save, this time from Williams, the keeper tipping this one over the bar. With fifteen minutes to go, I forgot about counter attacking altogether and pulled us back into a more defensive setup, Steenson and McMillan subbed off, with Michael McCartney and John Robertson brought into the game to protect the back four. That coincided with City running out of fresh ideas to try and find a way through, despite having been the second best side on the park for large parts of that game, we would travel home with three more points.

Armagh City (1) 1 - Ian Cox (12)
Coleraine (3) 3 - Stuart Shaw (7), Andy McMillan (17,34)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Declan O'Hara, Andy Dickinson, Stewart Devine; Keith Steenson © (John Robertson 75), Gavin Whelan; Chris Johnston, Matty Robson; Stuart Shaw (Gerry Nixon 65), Andy McMillan (Michael McCartney 75).
Unused Substitutes :- Ryan Young, Ryan Twist.
Bookings :- Keith Steenson 39
Possession :- 54% - 46%. Man of the Match :- Andy McMillan (Coleraine).

City, and in particular their manager Gordon Chambers, spent the rest of the evening telling anyone who would listen how much injustice there is in the game sometimes. I can't deny that for large parts of the match we had our backs to the wall and were clinging on a bit. Andy McMillan's two goal haul landed him man of the match, but without question it was Gerard Doherty who won us the points this time around. The veteran keeper will be 35 this summer, and it's bothered me throughout my time here that we don't have a keeper capable of challenging him for his spot. The financial situation has always prevented me from being able to get in someone. But to be fair, every time a mistake or a moment of worry over him has made me wonder about his future, he always bounces back and produces a display to put us straight.

Winning in that manner was another string to our bow, and one that might come in very useful next season should we get the promotion that we have now moved a step closer to after moving to six straight League wins, and nine points clear of Limavady United who now sit in second place. And we will potentially get some more practice at it this weekend too, with the Premier Division's current third place side Newry City visiting The Showgrounds this Saturday in the Fifth Round of the Northern Irish Cup.

Wednesday 6th January
The only keeper we currently have that could stand in for Doherty if he were to get injured or suspended is the 19 year old Trevor Smyth. As he once again asks for a contract to be sorted out, I have to keep him sweet to a degree. That isn't the case for attacking midfielder Ciaran Owens, who is another on a Youth Contract that doesn't pay him. Owens is told that there won't be a contract offer, and that he's free to find a new club should he wish.

Friday 8th January
After beating rivals Ballymena United in the last round, tomorrow we take a step up in quality in the Cup, as we host Premier Division outfit Newry City in the Fifth Round, and we'll be looking to cause an upset and move into the last sixteen. In some quarters we're quite fancied to turn over City, and while they're priced as Even money favourites, some pundits rate our chances. That may be to do with City missing several players, most importantly for them their Scottish top scoring striker, Phil Hamilton. The 20 year old has eight goals in fifteen appearances in all competitions this season, but has a fractured wrist. Maybe even more importantly, 30 year old former Northern Irish Under-21 International right winger and the club captain Richard Clarke has torn a calf muscle and could miss the majority of what's left of this campaign. He's one of their most productive players, scoring five goals and adding five assists.

Saturday 9th January
It'd double header day once again at The Showgrounds, with the Under-18's kicking off proceedings in a late morning kick off against Portadown. It was a fairly even first half, until Portadown midfielder Chris Kennedy found the net just over five minutes before the break. But we got our leveller just after the hour, 16 year old Joe Gibbons netting his first goal of the season to earn the youngsters a point, and they remain sixth in Group 1.

Northern Irish Cup, Fifth Round
The Showgrounds, Coleraine
Coleraine v Newry City
Attendance :- 372. Weather :- Dry, 1c.

We go with an unchanged starting lineup and squad from the win in Armagh in midweek for this one, sticking to our usual formation at least to start with, as I fight the urge to go more defensive. Instead, we'll see if we can cause a higher echelon top tier club problems in the way we play on a week to week basis. There's an improved attendance for this one despite the almost freezing conditions, though it's still not as many through the gate as we were hoping for.

That refusal to move into a more defensive role seemed to catch City unawares, and we controlled the early part of the game. We created the first chance of note too, Stuart Shaw not giving up on a chase down the left wing, which brought about some nice passing and Chris Johnston was played into a shooting position, but the winger got his shot all wrong. The next time we created a chance, we were much more clinical. Matty Robson and Stewart Devine combined down the left, and then Gavin Whelan slid a through ball in for Shaw, who nipped in front of the defender and lifted it over the onrushing keeper Myles Howe and into the bottom corner to give us an 18th minute lead. Within a minute, we could have doubled that lead, Devine sending a curling pass forward and over the right back, and Shaw raced in behind him, before chipping the ball into the near post. The defender was no match for Andy McMillan's power and strength, but the teenage strikers header came back off the near post. McMillan would soon get another chance, the build up play coming down the right this time, Tony Jones knocking the ball down for Johnston, and he sent it back into the penalty box where McMillan chested it down and hit a shot towards the top corner, just missing the target. With less than ten minutes to go till the break, Andy Dickinson sprayed the ball out to the left for Robson, and his cross was a nightmare for the defenders to deal with. And they failed miserably, McMillan again evading his marker and sidefooting home from five yards out to continue his little purple patch of goalscoring, and put us in a superb position at half time.

City couldn't afford to waste time in their efforts to turn things around, and they made a change at the break, bringing on an extra striker. An early Séan Evans trick free kick from on the right found defender Harry Morris, but Declan O'Hara threw himself into the path of the shot to block it to safety. After another series of Evans set pieces failed to find a way through, City finally cracked the code on the hour mark, O'Hara drawn out of position to battle for a loose ball on the right corner of the box with Morris, the City defender winning out and getting the ball into the box and to the feet of their second sub Adam Owens, who found the top corner for his first ever goal for the club. At this point, I switched us into a counter attacking setup, which almost paid off right away. City were guilty of overplaying, and Shaw and Robson broke down the left before switching it across field to the absolutely unmarked McMillan, the strikers pot shot was turned over by Howe. It was us that were overplaying midway through the half as we tried to counter attack again, but Shaw's attempt to find Johnston on the right went array. With City using up their last change, I started to delve into mine, Johnston and McMillan replaced by Michael McCartney and Gerry Nixon, requiring Whelan to move out to the right wing. But less than ten minutes later, Whelan was needing to come off himself, the midfielder getting injured and I attempted to shore up our defence by bringing on Ryan Young in his place as we moved into a very defensive outlook for the remaining few minutes. An Evans cross missed it's target, and then an Owens shot was too high. We nearly caught them out at the end when Robson intercepted an attempt to get the ball forward, and hoisted it long up the park himself, Nixon bringing the ball down and racing into the box, Howe turning his attempt to find the net away to safety. But we had bought ourselves enough time to see out the game, and we were safely into the last sixteen.

Coleraine (2) 2 - Stuart Shaw (18), Andy McMillan (37)
Newry City (0) 1 - Adam Owens (60)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Declan O'Hara, Andy Dickinson, Stewart Devine; Keith Steenson ©, Gavin Whelan (inj - Ryan Young 84); Chris Johnston (Michael McCartney 75), Matty Robson; Stuart Shaw, Andy McMillan (Gerry Nixon 75).
Unused Substitutes :- John Robertson, Ryan Twist.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 62% - 38%. Man of the Match :- Harry Morris (Newry City).

We played that very nicely, and I can't say that at any point I was worried we were going to lose that one. Getting one over on the Premier Division clubs is always a good day, and today we weren't the only ones to pull off a shock. Distillery replicate our feat as they record a home win over Crusaders, while Glebe Rangers are also out at the hands of First Division opposition, as they are beaten on penalties away to Bangor. The biggest shock is probably inflicted on Wakehurst though, as they are bundled out by the now only non-League club remaining in the competition, Ballyclare.

After that Round of shocks, there are now only six Premier Division teams left in the last sixteen of the Northern Irish Cup, alongside seven First Division sides including ourselves, two from the Second Division, and the non-League side from Ballyclare. When the draw is made for Round Six later in the evening, there is one all Premier Division clash paired up, meaning a maximum of five top tier clubs can make the last eight. We won't be able to affect that number, as we are drawn away to First Division and local rivals Limavady United, currently our nearest challengers in the second tier and also one of our nearest and most bitter rivals. We have drawn our last two meetings with them, both since my arrival, we had won three in a row against them before that and have never lost against them since the save began. We'll make the short trip in early February. This competition is getting very interesting, and we won't be the only ones liking our chances of potentially causing a Cup upset to lift the famous old trophy this season.

Many of the big wins that have come through my career have come accompanied by an injury, and this one is no different. Gavin Whelan has suffered a damaged heel, and he will be out for three weeks or so. Fortunately for us, it's a position where we have a fair few options, but with three goals and nine assists this season so far, it will be hard to replace his productivity over the next few weeks.

Monday 11th January
Four of our team are included in the First Division's Team of the Week, with goalkeeper Gerard Doherty joined by Stewart Devine, Declan O'Hara and a very deserving Andy McMillan.

It's quite the day for Doherty, as the 34 year old goalkeeper has this morning signed a one year extension to take him through to the end of next season. It's a much deserved deal, though he has also done us a solid by accepting a pay cut down to £100 from £150 per week as well. We're now over £100 under our weekly Wage Budget.

And Doherty isn't the only one signed up today, as on form teenage striker Andy McMillan has agreed to play another season at least for us on his current appearance fee and goal bonus only deal. With a record of a goal every other game on average this season, the soon to be nineteen year old is continuing to see his reputation grow.

Tuesday 12th January
Stewart Devine signs his new contract offer as well today, the 31 year old Scottish left back has been one of our best players this season, and signs a one year extension on the same £60 per week terms that he was already getting.

We've got Queens University Belfast away tomorrow night in the First Division, and we're nailed on favourites to pick up another three points according to the bookies. Hopefully McMillan and Devine will celebrate their new deals with a hand in a win that will move us another step closer to the promotion we crave. Queens come into the match embroiled in a relegation battle that looks like it will involve as many as half a dozen clubs. Their need is greater than normal in this round of games, with two of the other clubs around them playing each other as Bangor host Police Service of Northern Ireland. We haven't lost to Queens since I arrived at the club, but we'll need to be wary of their top scorer, 18 year old Bob Foster.

Wednesday 13th January

Northern Irish First Division
Newforge Lane, Belfast
Queens University Belfast v Coleraine
Attendance :- 263. Weather :- Wet, 1c.

It's our third game in just over a week, and with Gavin Whelan in the treatment room, Michael McCartney starts in the midfield, with new signing Michael Hassan brought into the matchday squad on the bench for a potential Coleraine debut. Joining him is Pat McIlroy, who replaces Gerry Nixon. There are 25th League Appearances for Coleraine for both Tony Jones and Chris Johnston, while Stuart Shaw plays his 75th Career League game, and Declan O'Hara plays his 375th.

A rather quiet first half came to life a little in the 20th minute when Bob Foster used the right channel to get into our penalty box and to the byline, Declan O'Hara timing his tackle perfectly to take the ball away without fouling the striker. Within a short while we had pegged Queens back into their own final third, in fact every player except our own goalie was in that third of the park. As we pushed the ball around and probed for a gap in their defence, Matty Robson sent a low ball into the box for Michael McCartney, and Ian Quinn dived in with a challenge off his feet that resulted in a spot kick. Tony Jones coolly slotted the ball past Paddy Agnew's dive, and we had a 28th minute lead. We turned up the heat for a second goal, McCartney sending a shot just wide, before O'Hara headed a Robson corner delivery against the near post. But it wasn't all smooth sailing, as both Stewart Devine and Stuart Shaw picked up injuries in the three minute spell before the break.

Neither was risked for the restart, Ryan Young replacing Devine with O'Hara moved out to left back, while Pat McIlroy came on for Shaw. That development gave Queens a shot of confidence at least, and Foster stung Gerard Doherty's hands with a driven shot that the keeper couldn't hold, Liam Fagan sending the rebound well over the bar. They kept creating chances though, Quinn trying to make amends for giving away the penalty with a shot from range, but his effort also cleared the bar. With just over twenty minutes to go I dragged us back into a more defensive formation, bringing Andy McMillan off and replacing him with Michael Hassan, the debutant asked to sit in the middle of the park as we switched to three in midfield and just one up front. We were given another warning shot as a dipping shot from Foster just cleared the bar, but he didn't miss next time, substitute Graham McLaughlin making a run down the left, and his cross had all the pace the ball needed on it, Foster diverting it downwards and past Doherty and into the bottom corner to level things up. With Ryan Young now hobbling around badly and us out of substitutes, it wasn't looking very good for us to get ourselves back in front. Enter young Scottish defender Jones once again. The right back picked up the ball just over halfway and made his way down the wing, angling his run into the box, then firing in a low cross that took a deflection off Hassan, keeper Agnew pushed it against the near post, and the ball came back off the prone keeper and crept over the line! Queens now had no choice but to go all out, and during injury time they won three corners, the last of them eventually seeing the ball drop to defender James O'Hare, who skied it well over, and our run continues.

Queens University Belfast (0) 1 - Bob Foster (72)
Coleraine (1) 2 - Tony Jones (28 pen), Paddy Agnew (86 og)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Declan O'Hara, Andy Dickinson, Stewart Devine (inj - Ryan Young 45 (inj - 76)); Keith Steenson ©, Michael McCartney; Chris Johnston, Matty Robson; Stuart Shaw (inj - Pat McIlroy 45), Andy McMillan (Michael Hassan 69).
Unused Substitutes :- John Robertson, Ryan Twist.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 48% - 52%. Man of the Match :- Bob Foster (Queens University Belfast).

The Queens University supporting natives of Belfast will be absolutely gutted to come out of that one without anything to show. But we're not completely happy with life heading back home either. Ice packs are very much the order of the day for the bus journey home, as we've suffered three injuries that will all mean time on the sidelines. Striker Stuart Shaw will miss four weeks with a calf injury, while Stewart Devine (twisted ankle) and Ryan Young (groin strain) will both be missing from our defence for four to five weeks. That knocks a big hole in our depth at a crucial time of the campaign.

However, we're now into the second half of the season, and our lead at the top of the First Division has increased out to eleven points with Limavady United held to a 2-2 draw at home by Annagh United. We have a ten day break now before two home League matches, followed by a game away against PSNI in the Intermediate Cup to round off January.

[neilhoskins77]

Thursday 14th January 2016
Our seventh win in a row is a new club record.

Friday 15th January
An effort to bring in Stockport County defender Mark Heath on loan till the end of the season, and help us out with our defensive injury issues, has failed. 17 year old Heath, who has made a dozen career appearances in Coca-Cola League Two for County, has instead decided to spend the rest of the season with mid table Blue Square North club Alfreton Town.

The knock backs continue too, with Free Agent midfielder Nathan Fairhurst rejecting our offer of a deal to join us right away. The former Preston North End, Greenock Morton and Derry City man is instead holding out for an offer from a better club, with Rotherham United said to be interested. This one hurts, it really shows how low our reputation is right now.

Sunday 17th January
With our Senior Squad starting to get stretched to the limit, we may have no choice but to rely on our young players. Colin Canning issues a timely reminder as to what he can do, the 17 year old right winger putting in a man of the match performance with an assist and the final goal in a 3-0 win away to Donegal Celtic Under-18's, a Group 1 game that was played in a snowstorm, and temperatures that dropped to -5c during the afternoon. Left winger Stuart Wilson and free scoring defender Paul McMaster score the earlier goals for our age group side.

Tuesday 19th January
We continue to be unable to convince players to move to The Showgrounds. Today we have missed out on long term goalkeeper target Stephen Calder, who has decided to move to Irish League side Athlone Town. Also deciding his future lies south of the border is defender Matthew Lowton, the former Sheffield United youngster opting to reject a deal with us to move instead to Wexford Youths, a deal that has delighted the fans of their club, while dismaying me as we once again miss out on a long term target that would have been able to help us improve our fortunes in the Premier Division should we manage the promotion that we've put ourselves in a great position to achieve.

Wednesday 20th January
We continue our hunt for options to give us that last push towards promotion. An English defender who has been playing in Ireland is our next target as he is now out of contract. But immediately he receives offers from around 20 other clubs, including Lurgan Celtic, and our expectations of a successful transaction now have a very low percentage.

Thursday 21st January
Our goalkeeping options have reduced yet further. 19 year old out of contract youngster Trevor Smyth has suffered a sprained ankle in training, and will now be out for up to two months.

Friday 22nd January
This weekend is game week fifteen for the majority of the Division, and a quirk of fate in the fixture schedule has made it an important one. The top five clubs are all facing clubs that lie in the bottom five, making it a must win fixture for those at the top, and a bit of a bonus opportunity for those at the bottom.

For us, it is a home tie with Bangor, who are three matches unbeaten at the moment, but still lie in 13th place going into this match. This fixture was once a regular in the schedule of the Premier Division, but since the save began, Bangor have managed just one win in a dozen attempts against us, and have lost each of the last three matches between the clubs. We're the overwhelming favourites to beat them again this time around, despite our injury worries.

Saturday 23rd January

Northern Irish First Division
The Showgrounds, Coleraine
Coleraine v Bangor
Attendance :- 239. Weather :- Dry, 7c.

Two changes are made from the win in the capital against Queens University last time, both changes forced through injury. The biggest decision is at left back, where the regular Stewart Devine is out, and we don't have a Senior specialist left back to replace him. Deciding against breaking up the centre back partnership, and leaving Declan O'Hara where he is instead of moving him out to left back, there is instead a call up from the Youth side for Lee Mooney, a first year player and local lad, who will get his Senior debut this afternoon. The other change is up front, with Gerry Nixon brought in to replace the injured Stuart Shaw. There is one change amongst the substitutes, with centre back Robert Donaghy brought into the matchday squad.

Two early chances came our way, Matty Robson sending in a swinging free kick that just missed the target, before a nice team passing move saw Andy McMillan play a square pass to Gerry Nixon, but the striker sent his shot high and wide. Nixon would then miss the target with a header from a Michael McCartney free kick midway through the half, before finally managing to get a shot on target, a well struck effort from the edge of the box that stung Ryan Brown's hands, but the Bangor keeper managed to keep that one out fairly easily. The visitors would finally show some attacking intent just after the half hour mark, Kyle Ralph was an early substitute when Lee Kelly was injured, but his attempt to hit the top corner was off target. We continued to push for an opening goal, and a set piece remained the most likely route, Robson sending a low free kick into the box that found its way past everyone and right through the box, before being sent back in from the other side by Chris Johnston, the cross finding Andy Dickinson who sidefooted an effort wide. The first half remained goalless.

I told my players to remain patient, and that the golden chance would come, but it was Bangor who had the best chance created so far and a chance to go in front in the 52nd minute, Keith Steenson leaving a short pass towards Dickinson too short, and Tony Stewart nipped in to round the centre back, but couldn't get his shot past keeper Gerard Doherty, who made a good save to keep the striker out. Full back Tony Jones tried to catch Brown out at the other end, whipping in a free kick that everyone expected to be sent into the middle, but instead tried to catch out the keeper at his near post, the plan being undone by Jones inability to keep the ball down. Jones was once again involved as the mid point of the second half approached, down his normal right side this time, he managed to get by two Bangor players to get to the byline, before standing a cross up into the middle, Nixon getting his head to it, but his effort came off the top of the bar on its way over. Nixon kept trying, this time played in by a Declan O'Hara header from halfway that was over the visiting back four, but Brown tipped over the Scottish strikers shot. At this point I turned to my bench, Nixon, along with Johnston replaced, as Pat McIlroy and Michael Hassan came on in their place. And within seconds of the changes, we had broken the deadlock. Robson sent over a free kick from the right that swung in towards the near post, and Dickinson timed his jump perfectly to get above the defence and glance a header home from six yards out! That was us in the driving seat, and prompted Bangor to use their two remaining changes, including replacing their earlier change Ralph. Ten minutes later, forward Marvin Hyam drifted in a Bangor corner, and near the penalty spot there was a coming together between Jones and Neil Smart, the referee blaming our Scottish defender for that one, and pointing to the spot. Mark Treanor stepped up, and slammed his penalty kick down the middle as Doherty picked his side, and the game was all square to leave us back where we were. But with Bangor now back in an ultra defensive setup for the remaining minutes, we would not be denied. Jones would make amends for giving away the penalty, sending over a free kick from the left near the corner flag, and picking out the head of O'Hara, the veteran centre back redirecting the ball into the net via the underside of the cross bar with just seconds remaining of the indicated injury time. We'd left it late, but we had got the job done!

Coleraine (0) 2 - Andy Dickinson (73), Declan O'Hara (90+2)
Bangor (0) 1 - Mark Treanor (84 pen)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Declan O'Hara, Andy Dickinson, Lee Mooney; Keith Steenson ©, Michael McCartney; Chris Johnston (Michael Hassan 72), Matty Robson, Gerry Nixon (Pat McIlroy 72), Andy McMillan.
Unused Substitutes :- Robert Donaghy, John Robertson, Ryan Twist.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 49% - 51%. Man of the Match :- Andy Dickinson (Coleraine).

Our prolific nature from set piece situations has once more bailed us out, and it looked all afternoon like it would be from a set piece that we would find a way through. Despite already being eleven points clear, it was a crucial win too. Not just as it got us our eighth consecutive League win, but also because the four other teams in the top five all managed wins today as well. The chasing bunch continue to pursue us, but we are eleven points ahead still, and now there are just eleven games to go.

And there is more good news too, as Gavin Whelan is declared fit to return to training next week. The 32 year old attacking midfielder with three goals to his name so far this season in all competitions, has recovered from his foot injury. He is also sitting on a contract offer to extend his stay at The Showgrounds into next season.

Monday 25th January
Gerard Doherty is of course included in the First Division Team of the Week, joined this time around by the goalscoring centre back pairing that sit in front of him, Andy Dickinson and Declan O'Hara.

We're right back into action tomorrow night, with another home game. No visitors from the bottom end of the table this time though, as we will host Wakehurst. They are very much in the running for the Playoff spot, coming into the match in fourth place. And they are hoping a win at The Showgrounds will have them aiming for the top spot. They were unbeaten against us in a pair of games in the last calendar year. But the bookies don't fancy them to repeat that feat this year, as we are pegged as convincing favourites to extend our winning run.

Tuesday 26th January

Northern Irish First Division
The Showgrounds, Coleraine
Coleraine v Wakehurst
Attendance :- 227. Weather :- Breezy, Downpours 2c.

It's a filthy weather evening near the north coast of Northern Ireland, with cold temperatures exasperated by a stiff wind and some very heavy downpours. There is just one change to the side from the late, late win over Bangor here on the weekend, with Pat McIlroy brought into the starting lineup, replacing Gerry Nixon who take his place on the bench.

Andy McMillan had the first chance of the game, the striker using his strength with his back to goal, rolling his marker and sending in an effort from the edge of the box that cleared the cross bar. By the time the ball went into the Wakehurst box again in the 5th minute, we had been forced to revert back to the lineup from the weekend, with Pat McIlroy forced off with an injury, Gerry Nixon coming on in his place. It didn't stop us nearly taking the lead though, Tony Jones sending over a free kick from the left that found it's way to Chris Johnston on the far post, the winger striking a controlled volley aimed inside the near post, keeper Josh Pelling turning the shot aside. At the other end of the park, dangerous striker Gary Stockley followed McMillan's lead with a shot on the turn, that one was also over the bar though. Then midway through the half, a loose ball from Dil Chagger saw Keith Steenson pinch possession and pick out Nixon. The striker played a one-two with McMillan before trying a speculative curling effort that ruffled the side netting on it's way wide. Moment later we were ahead, and it came from a familiar route, and an increasingly familiar source, Andy Dickinson getting on the end of a Matty Robson corner delivery and powering a header into the near top corner. Nick Welsh's effort to find a quick leveller at the opposite top corner was just off target, with Lee Mooney doing his best to make things difficult for the Wakehurst forwards. The visitors were much more involved in the game now though, with Junior Wells missing the target from a long way out. Still 1-0 in our favour at the break.

It would be the visitors who would be in control early in the second half, Stockley again chancing his arm with no luck when he again missed the target. But he wouldn't miss next time. Michael McCartney left his feet to make a challenge and missed, leaving Welsh able to find overlapping winger David McConnell. His deep cross picked out Chagger, who knocked it down for Stockley, the striker this time picking out the far top corner and knotting this game back back up ten minutes into the second half. But their parity would be brief. A series of mistakes and missed chances to clear from down our right allowed the ball to find Johnston, and our winger angled his low cross diagonally and perfectly between the Wakehurst defence, and picking out the superbly timed run of opposite winger Robson, who added to his earlier assist with a goal, drawing Pelling off his line, before dinking his shot over the keeper and into the net! Once more though, with the lead in our hands, my players were guilty of losing their shape, and dropping back deeper than I would want them too. Mistakes started to come too, Steenson losing the ball in midfield and Ben Gate found Wells, his shot taking a huge deflection off Declan O'Hara, who was relieved to see Gerard Doherty get across goal and push the ball to safety. They were gaining in confidence, and made attacking changes, Welsh denied from ten yards out by an outstanding point blank save by Doherty. Another miss from Wells did nothing to dent their confidence, and with just under twenty minutes to play we were sliced open. Gate and sub Joe Herron did the leg work down the right, before Chagger picked out Stockley in the box. The striker got past Mooney too easily, the young defender couldn't get back goal side and stop the striker blasting a shot inside the near post, Doherty unable to get enough on it to keep it out, and once more the visitors had got themselves level. My big problem now was that my players were unable to regain the shape we had when we started the match, and it was still Wakehurst who were looking the most likely, substitute David North blasting over the best chance they would create with only two minutes remaining. I made another change, a defensive one. McMillan came off, Robert Donaghy came on as we would go to five at the back, and two protecting them as well. There was still a twist to come in this game yet though. Already well into injury time, we won a free kick in an advanced position of the park. Despite being asked now to operate defensively, several players took it upon themselves to arrive late in the box for the Robson delivery from the right, and that caused chaos. The ball was cleared, but only as far as McCartney, who got it right back to Robson. As he sent in an inswinging cross, at least three of my players were stood offside. But one of them was not Nixon, who arrived at the far post with perfect timing and sent a sidefooted shot past a helpless Pelling and high into the roof of the net! There was an agonizing few seconds where everyone seemed to wait for the flag to go up, but it never did. And for the second time in four days, we had fished a win out of dead cert looking draw.

Coleraine (1) 3 - Andy Dickinson (25), Matty Robson (58), Gerry Nixon (90+1)
Wakehurst (0) 2 - Gary Stockley (55,71)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Declan O'Hara, Andy Dickinson, Lee Mooney; Keith Steenson ©, Michael McCartney; Chris Johnston, Matty Robson; Pat McIlroy (inj - Gerry Nixon 4), Andy McMillan (Robert Donaghy 86).
Unused Substitutes :- Michael Hassan, John Robertson, Ryan Twist.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 49% - 51%. Man of the Match :- Gary Stockley (Wakehurst).

Gary Stockley is one of the leading goalscorers in Northern Ireland this season, and visiting Manager today Rodney Crawford may well be rueing his decision to bring off his striker with eight minutes to go and his club looking set for a share of the spoils at least. It's hard to suggest the 19 year old former Arsenal youngster didn't deserve Man of the Match, but with a goal and two assists, surely Matty Robson should've been the rightful recipient this evening?

Pat McIlroy was the recipient of a particularly nasty gash on his leg in this game, and the striker joins our injury list, with him likely to be out for around three to four weeks while that wound heals. It's not all bad news though. We have extended our winning run to a new club record of nine wins, and with Limavady United held to a draw away to Bangor, it is now Distillery who take up the mantle as our nearest challengers, with our lead extended out to twelve points with thirty left to play for, and Cup football about to move back into our main focus.

32 year old midfielder Gavin Whelan has signed a contract extension that will take the Irish playmaker through to the end of last season, agreeing to a small pay drop from £180 a week down to £150 per week as well. It's all relative of course, a lot of these players who have agreed to take drops in salary will be clawing that money back should we get promoted, with contracts that entitle them to a 25% increase should we move up into the Premier Division. One such player who won't have to worry about that is Derby County goalkeeper Nicholas Furlong, the nineteen year old has refused to accept a loan offer that was agreed to by his employers for him to move over to us for the remainder of the season.

Friday 29th January
It was on the cards when it was clear we were not the only club interested in Steve Robinson, but today confirmation arrived. The 21 year old 6'4 Cleethorpes born centre back is indeed moving to Northern Ireland, but has rejected offers from both ourselves and my former employers Lurgan Celtic amongst others, and will instead sign for Crusaders, making it a distinct possibility that we could come up against him next season.

We'll worry abut that when the time comes. For now we have Cup football matters to attend to. Our final game of January will see us travel into Belfast to face Police Service of Northern Ireland in the Fourth Round of the Northern Irish Intermediate Cup, the Cup for clubs outside the top tier. And we're involved in the only all First Division tie, not that the bookies believe this will be much of a contest. PSNI are on a terrible run of form, and haven't won in the First Division since mid-September, with their only success' coming in their three matches in this competition, and one of them came via a penalty shoot-out. Neither the bookies or anyone else in the media fancy their chances tomorrow afternoon.

Saturday 30th January
The final matchday of January, and it's a double header day of action. The opening part of that takes place in Belfast as well, with our Under-18's hopefully setting the tone at the Grove Park Stadium as Crusaders Under-18's are swept aside 3-0. Young striker Martin Friars opened the scoring inside quarter of an hour, and then added a second right from the restart after half time. The scoring was rounded off in the 73rd minute when free scoring defender Paul McMaster found the net once again, this time from the penalty spot. Our lads are 4th in Group 1.

Northern Irish Intermediate Cup, Fourth Round
Newforge Lane, Belfast
Police Service of Northern Ireland v Coleraine
Attendance :- 159. Weather :- Dry, 1c.

With Pat McIlroy joining the injured list, Gerry Nixon comes back into the side after getting the winner in midweek. That leaves us short on strikers though, and this time I decide not to bring in someone from the Reserve or Youth pool, instead bringing fit again and newly contracted Gavin Whelan into the matchday squad on the substitutes bench. With him able to cover the right wing, it allows me to effectively make winger Chris Johnston our back up striker.

Clearly PSNI were set up to counter attack when the chance arose, but outside that they were only interested in defending and keeping us out. That counter attack mentality almost got them going inside ten minutes, Michael McCartney dispossessed deep inside their half by John Paul Gallagher, and some quick passing play allowed Murray Gamble to take a shot from a long way out, his effort clipping the cross bar on it's way over. Tony Jones was a lot closer in when he took a 15th minute free kick, the Scottish full back curling his shot over the wall, only to see it crash flush against the cross bar. Midway through the half we created our best chance so far, Matty Robson making ground down the left, and then pulling the ball back to McCartney. The midfielder couldn't find room for a shot, but did find Gerry Nixon, the striker aiming a low shot inside the near post, but was foiled by keeper Gordon O'Brien making a smart stop. The left flank was proving to be our most popular route, with even teenage full back Lee Mooney having some joy there and sending over a few nice crosses that PSNI defenders had to deal with. Ten minutes before the break, PSNI got behind our defence, Gamble taking a free kick quickly and playing in Gallagher down the left channel, but he fluffed his lines, torn between crossing and shooting, and eventually blazing a shot well over the cross bar. And they would be punished for missing their chance, Jones whipping in a corner that O'Brien came off his line to punch. The ball made it only as far as McCartney just outside the box, and he didn't even look up, lifting his curling shot over the players in the box and O'Brien, and finding the top corner to give us a lead with his first ever goal for the club.

That goal just before the break gave our hosts little option but to rethink their plan of counter attacking their way to a victory. And that left gaps in their defence that you could drive a sightseeing bus of Belfast through. We got a bit bold ourselves though, and Glenn Rolston blasted a shot at goal that was just high and wide of the top corner he wanted to hit. We were passing the ball around the park beautifully, and it scored us a lot of set piece opportunities, an area where we thrive. And it would come up trumps in the 78th minute, literally with two substitutes stood on the touchline waiting for the ball to go out so they could come on. Jones sent over another set piece from the left, and as the ball came through a crowd of players at a strange height, McMillan had to improvise, unable to get his head down quickly enough to meet it in the more traditional way, the striker used his chest to redirect the ball and the power already on it gave it just enough to direct it into the bottom corner and give us the breathing room we wanted. The centre midfielders were changed before the restart, McCartney and Keith Steenson replaced by Gavin Whelan and Michael Hassan. Inside the last ten minutes, Ryan Twist got some rare game time too as he replaced Robson while the game fizzled out into it's conclusion, and we would take our place in the Quarter-Finals.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (0) 0
Coleraine (1) 2 - Michael McCartney (43), Andy McMillan (78)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Declan O'Hara, Andy Dickinson, Lee Mooney; Keith Steenson © (Michael Hassan 78), Michael McCartney (Gavin Whelan 78); Chris Johnston, Matty Robson (Ryan Twist 82); Gerry Nixon, Andy McMillan.
Unused Substitutes :- Robert Donaghy, John Robertson.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 40% - 60%. Man of the Match :- Michael McCartney (Coleraine).

That was a pretty routine win, and sees us safely through into the last eight of the Intermediate Cup. This is not a glamour competition by any means, but it's been a long time since I've won any silverware, and I won't pass up an opportunity to put a pot in the cabinet. I'm hoping it will be more than just one this season actually. 

And this one is starting to play very much our way. Of the eight clubs left, half including ourselves are First Division teams. The remaining four contain one Second Division club, and three non-League outfits. When the draw is made for the Quarter-Final round, it isn't a seeded draw, but it comes out that way as the First Division clubs all avoid each other. We're drawn at home to Oxford United Stars, the third tier club who are midway down the League, and far from being out of the promotion race at this point.

The real prize for us outside promotion this season would be the Northern Irish Cup. The Sixth Round tie in that competition is our next game, and we are travelling to face fierce rivals and fellow promotion contenders Limavady United next Saturday. So why is this Cup one of our main aims? Well apart from it being a much more prestigious event, it is a potential route into Europe, which is probably our best bet of clearing our debt in a hurry. It's a long shot, I'm prepared to admit that.......

Sunday 31st January
Despite it being a Sunday, it's still the last day of January, and therefore the last day of the Winter Transfer Window. I wasn't expecting much to happen from our end. In fact, I told the media just that early in the day. But early in the afternoon an unexpected opportunity arrived, and I was offered the chance to sign Lü Xin, a very quick and skilful left winger who was born in Larne, but the 22 year old has lived in China since a very young age. A British passport holder, but declared for China, he has spent some time in Europe, playing in the Czech Republic for two seasons. I was led to believe we could sign him on a Free Transfer. So the matter came to an abrupt close when I was then informed by his current club Sanshan University that the asking price was £30,000.

There was time yet for another opportunity to arise, as this time we were offered Glebe Rangers left back Aaron Moore. I did check this time that there would be no fee, and when given the green light, I made my move for the relegation threatened Premier Division side's 24 year old six footer. Everything was signed and done, but the hours had ticked down and time would get the better of us. The deal to bring him in as Senior cover on a short term basis for the rest of the season had gone, and the Window slammed shut with only Michael Hassan's arrival at the club in January.

[neilhoskins77]

2015/16 Northern Irish League First Division Table, Up To & Including Sunday 31st January 2016

| Pos   | Inf   | Team              |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   |

| 1st   |       | Coleraine         |       | 16    | 13    | 2     | 1     | 29    | 13    | +16   | 41    |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 2nd   |       | Distillery        |       | 16    | 7     | 8     | 1     | 22    | 12    | +10   | 29    |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 3rd   |       | Limavady Utd      |       | 16    | 7     | 7     | 2     | 33    | 23    | +10   | 28    |
| 4th   |       | Carrick           |       | 16    | 7     | 7     | 2     | 14    | 7     | +7    | 28    |
| 5th   |       | Wakehurst         |       | 16    | 7     | 5     | 4     | 21    | 16    | +5    | 26    |
| 6th   |       | Ballymena Utd     |       | 15    | 5     | 8     | 2     | 23    | 16    | +7    | 23    |
| 7th   |       | Donegal Celtic    |       | 16    | 6     | 5     | 5     | 18    | 16    | +2    | 23    |
| 8th   |       | Annagh Utd        |       | 15    | 4     | 9     | 2     | 23    | 18    | +5    | 21    |
| 9th   |       | Ards              |       | 16    | 5     | 2     | 9     | 14    | 21    | -7    | 17    |
| 10th  |       | Armagh            |       | 16    | 3     | 4     | 9     | 19    | 27    | -8    | 13    |
| 11th  |       | Bangor            |       | 16    | 2     | 6     | 8     | 18    | 24    | -6    | 12    |
| 12th  |       | P.S.N.I.          |       | 16    | 3     | 3     | 10    | 12    | 25    | -13   | 12    |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 13th  |       | Banbridge         |       | 16    | 2     | 6     | 8     | 10    | 28    | -18   | 12    |
| 14th  |       | Queens University |       | 16    | 2     | 4     | 10    | 13    | 23    | -10   | 10    |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[oche balboa]

Enjoying this story as ever, A frustrating transfer window for you but i think you will have a squad which is strong enough for the title  

[neilhoskins77]

5 hours ago, oche balboa said:

Enjoying this story as ever, A frustrating transfer window for you but i think you will have a squad which is strong enough for the title  

Cheers as always Oche. Yeah, a very frustrating Window. I suspect you're right about us having enough to get promoted, but I think this Window may well be a sign of the frustrations we are likely to experience in the Summer as we try and strengthen for the Premier Division with a financial situation that continues to become more precarious, but still seems to be bothering no one at the club.

[neilhoskins77]

Monday 1st February 2016
February will bring a mix of League and Cup football for us this month. We'll start with a pair of away trips, first to Limavady United for a place in the last eight of the Northern Irish Cup, followed by a trip to Carrick Rangers in the League. That's followed by a pair of home games, with Distillery visiting in the League before we then host Oxford United Stars in the Quarter-Finals of the Intermediate Cup. Should we beat Limavady in the opening game of the month, we could then be playing a fifth game at the end of the month for a place in the Semi-Finals of the Northern Irish Cup.

Gerard Doherty takes his usual and predictable place in the First Division Team of the Week, where he is joined by left winger Matty Robson. There is no award for me this week, as I'm beaten to the January Manager of the Month Award by Carrick Rangers boss Stephen Small after his club won all four of their League matches to open 2016.

There is some good news, with the Board declaring themselves 'pleased' with the way things are going at the club, as we edge closer each week to a return to the top tier of domestic football. There is a loss of £13,000 in January, with the club now £331,000 in debt. We have now made a loss of over £100,000 this season so far. I hope the prize money for getting promoted is ridiculously extravagant.....

Friday 5th February
Tomorrow isn't just Northern Irish Cup Sixth Round day, but it's also Derby Day in our part of the world. Our record against near neighbours Limavady United is excellent during the history of this save, with three wins and two draws from five meetings. We're heavy favourites to make that a half dozen without defeat to our rivals tomorrow afternoon, despite the last two meetings ending in 1-1 draws.

It's too late for either to be considered for tomorrows game, but there is good news on the injury front for our rearguard today as well, with both Stewart Devine and Ryan Young able to return to training today after groin and thigh injuries respectively.

Saturday 6th February
Derby Day and Cup Sixth Round day all rolled into one. And the day gets off to a cracking start as well, with our Under-18 side thumping Linfield's youngsters 4-0 at The Showgrounds, thanks in no small part to Darren Doyle netting a hatrick in the Group 1 clash that sees our lads now just five points from top and sat in fourth place. Doyle had a new strike partner today in the form of Joseph Nixon, who scored the fourth. The usual duo of Doyle and Martin Friars were split up, with the latter moved into the Senior Squad for today's main event.

Northern Irish Cup, Sixth Round
The Limavady Showgrounds, Limavady
Limavady United v Coleraine
Attendance :- 562. Weather :- Gusty, 7c.

Club Captain and midfielder Keith Steenson is dropped for this one, relegated to the substitutes bench to allow Gavin Whelan to return to the starting lineup and partner with Michael McCartney who was man of the match last time out in the win away to PSNI. Young first year striker Martin Friars is called up from the Under-18 Squad today, and sits on the substitutes bench, as he did when he made his Senior Debut in a League match earlier in the season.

United play with a five across the midfield that has historically caused us some issues in breaking down. But they very nearly broke us down very early on, Martin Dickey playing David Cleary clean in on goal in the box, but he pulled his shot wide. Speaking of pulling something, young left back Lee Mooney looked like he did just that in the build up of a passage of play that led to Andy McMillan sending a shot whistling past the top corner. Mooney is the cover for Stewart Devine, and with no natural replacement on the bench, Michael Hassan is called upon to play out of position at left back. There was still a Mooney involved in the game though, Sean Mooney's eyes would have lit up when Denny Ford's corner delivery drifted towards him, but Gerard Doherty came off his line in commanding fashion and took the ball with both hands from the forwards head. Before the break, Tony Jones had to make a perfectly timed challenge just inside his own box on John Lamb to stop the midfielder breaking in on goal, before Paul Anderson, one of the leading scorers in domestic football, was played into space in the box, but he made a mess of the chance, failing to hit the target.

With our usual pass and possession game being thwarted by United's number in midfield, I make changes to try and find a way through, moving us to three centre backs, the wingers less advanced than usual and with Jones playing on the right flank, and Chris Johnston going up front with McMillan and Gerry Nixon just behind the front two. But it was still United creating the best of the chances, a Cleary throw-in was hooked goalwards by Mark Bain, scraping the far post on it's way through the goalmouth. Anderson then missed the target with chances either side of the hour mark, before a cross through our goalmouth from the United right was dealt with by Jones who steered it away from a waiting Sean Brennan. At the other end, Gavin Whelan went close twice from range within minutes of each other, both efforts not quite dipping enough to trouble keeper Jonathan McDowell. I made another change with less than ten minutes to play, Nixon brought off for Keith Steenson, who would move into the midfield and allow Whelan to move into the area behind the strikers which is a pretty natural position for him. With seconds remaining of the ninety minutes, Matty Robson persuaded Chris Parkinson to foul him unnecessarily near the corner flag, Whelan sweeping a cross towards the far post where Johnston thought he was being held unfairly, the ref waving play on, and we would head into an extra half hour of play to find a winner.

Bain blew a shot high and wide early in the extra session after bring setup by a knock down from sub Aaron Windrum, but we had bigger problems to worry about. We had already lost one defender to injury today, and now we were another down as Declan O'Hara was unable to continue. My substitution selection was bold, moving Tony Jones into a back three that now only had one specialist centre back, Johnston out to the right wing, and young Martin Friars coming on up front for us. Within in a minute we were in trouble, Richard Mason sending a drifted pass from the left wing to the far side of the box, and Simon Turkington brought the ball down, Andy Dickinson managing to slide into his sight line just enough to distract him and he sent the shot wide of the target. As time started to ebb away, not many people beat McMillan in the air, but the striker was beaten to a beautiful Robson cross that was just begging to be headed home. There was still time for Windrum to blast a shot goalwards that Doherty had to get a strong hand to and keep out. When we got a free kick late on near the left corner of the penalty box, Jones would infuriate his team mates by resisting the calls to cross the ball, and instead scooping a shot high over the bar. Penalties it would be then......

United were up first, and Turkington went for power, blasting his spot kick high into the roof of the net. For us, it was regular penalty taker Jones first, and he took a different route, keeping his shot low and right inside the post to leave McDowell with no chance. Brennan was next, left footed, and right in the corner giving Doherty no chance either despite diving the right way. Gavin Whelan replied, throwing caution to the wind and lashing his shot into the top corner right under the cross bar. 2-2. Substitute Chris Parkinson was next, getting some luck as he scuffed his shot somewhat, but Doherty had already gone the other way and it rolled in. Robson was next, our winger coolly picked out the opposite top corner to Whelan while taking a less powerful approach, going for accuracy and nailing it. Round four, and Mason and Johnston traded successful spot kicks, each picking out the opposite bottom corner. Into the final round then, and a miss at last, Mooney sending his penalty well over the bar. That meant that a successful next spot kick would send us into the last eight. Michael McCartney scored his first goal for the club last time out, and now he had another chance to be a hero. Not this time though, as his effort left McDowell stranded, but came back off the foot of the upright. Sudden Death time then, and Bain calmly picked his corner to heap the pressure onto us this time, and the Club Captain was next, Keith Steenson. He looked visibly nervous as he stepped up, no worries though as his shot wasn't quite in the corner, but had enough power to beat McDowell's dive. The pressure moved back to the other side then, and too much for another substitute, as Windrum pulled his penalty wide with Doherty already diving in the other direction. A second match point then, and this time in the hands of centre back Andy Dickinson. Safe hands indeed, a low left footed strike into the bottom corner, and the penalty marathon was over, and we're in the draw for the Quarter-Finals!

Limavady United (0) 0 
Coleraine (0) 0
(after extra time - Coleraine win 6-5 on penalties)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Declan O'Hara (inj - Martin Friars 110), Andy Dickinson, Lee Mooney (inj - Michael Hassan 9); Michael McCartney, Gavin Whelan ©; Chris Johnston, Matty Robson; Gerry Nixon (Keith Steenson 82), Andy McMillan.
Unused Substitutes :- Robert Donaghy, Ryan Twist.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 44% - 56%. Man of the Match :- Richard Mason (Limavady United).

So a close game, on a day when not one of the eight Northern Irish Cup Sixth Round matches was won by more than a single goal. Only two third tier teams remained in action, and both pushed Premier Division visitors all the way today. Tobermore United lost 2-1 against Glenavon, while Oxford United Stars went even closer to causing a huge upset, only losing to current Cup holders Glentoran on penalties. One non-league club remained, and they are now also out, no disgrace for Ballyclare as they are beaten 1-0 away to Distillery. There were defeats for two First Division clubs away to top tier opposition, Carrick Rangers and Donegal Celtic losing to Portadown (1-0) and Dundela (2-1) respectively. There was one other all-First Division contest apart from our own, and home advantage saw Bangor squeeze past Armagh City by a 1-0 scoreline. The final tie was the only all-Premier Division tie, and saw my old side Lurgan Celtic crash out 1-0 away to Dungannon.

The cost of progress to the Quarter-Finals of the Cup? Pretty high. Declan O'Hara has pulled a hamstring, and the veteran centre back who has helped to shore up our defence this season is now on the sidelines for five or six weeks, meaning he will now miss some crucial games as we attempt to secure the Title. Also out for a spell on the sidelines is 16 year old left back Lee Mooney, who has settled nicely into the First Team picture, but will miss around three weeks with a less severe groin strain. This means our hopes of being able to ease the returning Ryan Young and Stewart Devine back into action are out of the window, and both will be required sooner rather than later. On the plus side, I am told that 23 year old Scottish striker and our top scorer this season, Stuart Shaw, will be ready to return to training on Monday.

The final act of a pretty busy Saturday is the draw for the Quarter-Finals of the Northern Irish Cup. And it's not a draw that is kind to us. We're last of the eight involved clubs to be drawn, which immediately tells you that we're going to be heading away from home again. This time, we've drawn one of the big guns, as we will be headed into Belfast and The Oval to face twenty five times domestic Champions and twenty times Cup winners, including last seasons competition, Glentoran. We have played each other three times in Cup Finals alone, but our record against them in the history of this save is poor, with only two wins over them in 22 attempts. The game has been set for a Wednesday evening in early March. Elsewhere Distillery will host Dundela, while Bangor travel to Portadown in the other First Division v Premier Division ties, while there is also one all-top tier matchup, Glenavon with host Dungannon.

Tuesday 9th February
No time to rest up after that Extra Time session on the weekend, as we're pitched right back into action again tomorrow night, and another road trip too. It's just over an hour South East and from the North Coast to the the North East costal town of Carrickfergus, where we will be hosted by fourth placed Carrick Rangers. In nine historical meetings between the clubs, we have five wins and two draws, though that doesn't necessarily act as a form guide. We have played them three times already this season, and won all of them, including a 1-0 win away to them in the Second Leg of our League Cup Second Round tie. As always, we'll be the favourites again for this trip.

My early attempt to get a jump on the summer goalkeeper market has failed today. 27 year old Nottingham born and former Forest youngster, Paddy Gamble, is underpaid and underappreciated by his current employers, Braintree Town. Out of contract in the summer, and his club unwilling or unable to offer their keeper the wage he wants, I offered him a deal to cross the Irish Sea and potentially play top tier football next season. He's declined that offer, which is a shame, as he has been outstanding this season in the Blue Square North, and has helped his club top the table with clean sheets in almost half of his game, and an average rating well over the 7.00 mark.

Wednesday 10th February

Northern Irish First Division
Taylor's Avenue, Carrickfergus
Carrick Rangers v Coleraine
Attendance :- 243. Weather :- Dry, 7c.

Changes are needed after that extra time and penalty effort in the Cup on the weekend, and the injuries that we suffered. Stewart Devine is forced back into action only days after returning to training, and starts at left back. Ryan Young isn't risked from the start, though he is on the substitutes bench along with Stuart Shaw. So at centre back today with Andy Dickinson is the skipper Keith Steenson, who edges out Robert Donaghy to earn the start. There is one other change too, and that's at left wing, where Ryan Twist gets a rare start in place of the tired Matty Robson. Young left back Jason Campbell is called up from the Youth side to provide cover at left back from the bench.

We put Carrick under immediate pressure in this game, particularly from set pieces. Gavin Whelan whipped in a free kick from near the corner flag on the left that Jason van Matre didn't deal with so well, his header could have gone anywhere, fortunately just clearing his own goal frame. From that corner, Whelan struck a vicious low half volley from the edge of the box that struck Evan Moran and deflected away for another corner. At the second time of asking though, Stewart Devine found his man, picking out Keith Steenson around eight yards out who got goal side of van Matre and powered home a downward header for his first goal of the season in the 9th minute. Immediately after the goal, the complexion of the game changed, with Rangers on the front foot. Scott Winton's cross just missed his strikers, Gary Nelson's long range drive was ambitious, but not too far away from the top corner. The same couldn't be said of Jim Magee's poor shot from 25 yards out. The fact they were shooting from that far out was good news though, and we successfully got to the break with our early lead intact.

Rangers made a change up front at the break, and the pattern that had formed since our goal would continue into the second half, Winton's dipping shot didn't dip enough to trouble Gerard Doherty. Winton was getting himself involved though, and the hosts thought they should have had a penalty when his cross was headed clear by Michael McCartney, who they believed committed a foul getting ahead of one of the Rangers strikers. We got another warning shot just after the hour when two subs combined, Matt Stedman heading the ball down to Paul Wilson who struck the bouncing ball from 25 yards out that thumped back off the cross bar. The warning wasn't heeded though, and in the 65th minute a long throw into the box from Jim Arthur saw Steenson outmatched against Stedman, and while our skipper got his head on the ball, he only managed to flick it on towards the far post, where we were mismatched again, Winton climbing above Devine and sending a header inside the near post to square the game back up. Winton continued to cause us trouble, a cross dinked to the far post from the right picked out Moran, who's first touch thankfully wasn't good enough and Doherty smothered the ball at his feet. I didn't like the way things looked, and brought on fresher legs, Matty Robson and Stuart Shaw replacing Ryan Twist and Gerry Nixon. The pair immediately got into the game, and Dean Dixon had to tip over a swirling cross from Robson that may have found it's way into the top corner. Devine was substituted off in the 82nd minute, the returning left back visibly starting to tire, and Jason Campbell would take his place. But Carrick would themselves be too tired to take advantage of our weary legs, and the spoils would be shared here this evening. Stuart Shaw would limp off early in injury time, but thankfully there didn't appear to be any lasting damage for the Scotsman.

Carrick Rangers (0) 1 - Scott Winton (65)
Coleraine (1) 1 - Keith Steenson (9)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Keith Steenson ©, Andy Dickinson, Stewart Devine (Jason Campbell 82); Michael McCartney, Gavin Whelan; Chris Johnston, Ryan Twist (Matty Robson 70); Gerry Nixon (Stuart Shaw 70 - (inj - 90+1)), Andy McMillan.
Unused Substitutes :- Ryan Young, John Robertson.
Bookings :- None.
Possession :- 47% - 53%. Man of the Match :- Keith Steenson (Coleraine).

Our unbeaten League run stretches to eleven games, and Limavady United were the only ones to take advantage of our dropped points, as they won 2-1 at home to Ballymena United to move by Distillery and away from Carrick up into second place, eleven points behind us with nine matches still to play. If we can keep pushing on and win the Title and the single automatic promotion spot early, there is going to be an almighty scrap for second place and the Promotion Playoff spot that comes with it. We will play our last League game for three weeks this coming Saturday, as we host Distillery at The Showgrounds, and attempt to get ourselves back to winning ways before we return to Cup action.

[neilhoskins77]

Friday 12th February 2016
Distillery are another of the group of clubs who are fighting to either drag us back into the pack, or take the Playoff place themselves. I've only faced them once since arriving here, as they were relegated from the Premier Division last season. We drew with them away from home earlier in the season, but in fifteen matches between the clubs since the save began, we are very much on the short end of the results. Tomorrow won't be an easy game by any stretch of the imagination, especially given the form of 22 year old former Everton young striker, Craig Lynch, who is the second top scorer in the Division right now, behind only Paul Anderson of Limavady who had a poor day against us last weekend. However, the vultures are circling over the club, and with three players already signed to move away from the club this coming summer, scouts are keeping an eye on several other players from their playing staff.

Awful news from the Reserves today. 20 year old 6'4 striker Robbie Allen has suffered severe cruciate ligament damage today is training, and he will be out of action for the rest of this season, and most of next season as well. He has made five League appearances in his almost five years with the club, but with his contract about to expire, the hometown lad may be approaching the end of his time at The Showgrounds unfortunately.

Saturday 13th February

Northern Irish First Division
The Showgrounds, Coleraine
Coleraine v Lisburn Distillery
Attendance :- 203. Weather :- Showers, 7c.

Another pretty grim weather day, and another poor attendance to go with it, something that certainly doesn't help our money troubles in any way. Promotion would ease those concerns, and a result today would take us another step closer to that aim. Ryan Young is brought back into the starting back four to replace Keith Steenson, the skipper dropping to the bench, while John Robertson is brought into the midfield to replace Chris Johnston, with Gavin Whelan taking his place on the right wing today and Matty Robson returns to the left wing in place of Ryan Twist, who is left out of the matchday squad altogether today, Michael Hassan brought back in for bench duties.

We came close to a blistering start, Tony Jones getting by a defender on the right and sending over a cross from the byline and finding Gerry Nixon, the strikers low shot on the turn was saved by the legs of Paul Davidson, and rebounded right to Matty Robson who thundered a shot right off the cross bar and away to safety. At the other end, Peter Carlisle's measured shot at the top corner needed to be touched over the bar by Gerard Doherty. Another effort from Carlisle curled wide of Doherty's post, before Nixon flicked the ball on and into the box for Andy McMillan, who saw a defender hack the ball away from him when he looked to be in on goal. Then midway through the half, Gavin Whelan came off his wing and went on a mazy run that ended with a well struck shot that needed to be tipped over the bar by Davidson. George Beckett slammed a shot the wrong side of the post from his point of view and into the side netting as the teams continued to swap chances, before the deadlock was finally broken around ten minutes before the break. Craig Lynch received the ball in our box with his back to goal, and as he tried to turn, Ryan Young took him to the floor, and the ref pointed to the spot. Centre back Martin Chambers picked out the bottom corner with his spot kick, and we were a goal behind. We should have been level almost immediately, Robson sending over a corner that found Nixon, but the striker headed over the bar from point blank range. Nixon was winning everything in the air, including a duel before the break that allowed Whelan to get onto the ball and try a cross that took a huge deflection and almost found it's way inside the far post.

A goal down at half time, we needed to be more clinical after the break. Distillery had the same idea though, Carlisle with another curler that was just over the bar, before the visitors doubled their lead. Chambers made a tackle on the edge of his own box and then launched the ball up the park and over our defence, and into the path of Lynch, who sprinted into the box and slotted his shot beyond Doherty's dive and into the far bottom corner! We almost dragged ourselves back into the game on the hour, Chambers trying another long ball, but the ball hit McMillan and bounced down into the strikers path, and he spotted Davidson off his line and tried to lob him, the ball landing on the roof of the net instead of in it. We were now in a very attacking shape, and it would pay off with around twenty minutes to play, Robson sending in a cross from the left and Nixon clashed with Chambers on the corner of the six yard box, and the referee awarded us a penalty. Distillery were furious with that decision, but that didn't put off Jones, who picked out the same bottom corner that Chambers had earlier on from the spot, and we were back in this one. Substitutions were made as we went to an even more attacking outlook, Jones and John Robertson off, Chris Johnston and Stuart Shaw on, both going up front as we looked for an equaliser at least. That almost came from a corner, Young heading the ball against the bar, Nixon throwing himself at the loose ball to try and get it over the line, but it was hacked away to safety. McMillan missed the target when Michael McCartney played him into the box, and Distillery made late changes to try and keep us at bay, replacing their attacking players for defenders. A late Robson cross was right on the head of McMillan, but the striker headed the ball right at a grateful Davidson in the 90th minute. But they couldn't quite hold out, a 91st minute corner from Whelan reached the left foot of Johnston, and he redirected the ball at goal, the ball beating the defender guarding the post, and hitting the inside of the upright base and creeping into the net, the winger picking the perfect moment for his first goal of the season!

Coleraine (0) 2 - Tony Jones (70 pen), Chris Johnston (90+1)
Lisburn Distillery (1) 2 - Martin Chambers (35 pen), Craig Lynch (55)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones (Stuart Shaw 75), Ryan Young, Andy Dickinson, Stewart Devine; John Robertson (Chris Johnston 75), Michael McCartney; Gavin Whelan ©, Matty Robson; Gerry Nixon, Andy McMillan.
Unused Substitutes :- Keith Steenson, Jason Campbell, Michael Hassan.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 60% - 40%. Man of the Match :- Craig Lynch (Lisburn Distillery).

The attendance may not have been very big at all, but those that were there certainly got their money worth, and that late, late equaliser from Chris Johnston was a great moment. His production has taken a big dip since he joined us, as he has been moved from a striker role to the right wing. But he is absolutely still performing.

To a man, Distillery are fuming about the penalty award though, with Noel Loughlins the most vocal. Their manager Bryan McLoughlin neglected to make a comment, stating that he wasn't prepared to get a touchline ban by saying exactly what he thought of the decision to award that penalty.

Sunday 14th February
Today we get confirmation that yesterday's attendance figure of 203 is a new club record low for a League game, beating the previous record of 205 from over five years ago. Ouch.

Monday 15th February
Two of my players make it into the First Division Team of the Week. There is a shock inclusion, some guy called Phil Straker, who plays in goal for Donegal Celtic and clearly doesn't realise the position is sponsored by the Gerard Doherty fan club. Keith Steenson and Gavin Whelan are included though.

20 year old striker Pat McIlroy is back in training today, the Northern Irish Under-21 International is back for our crucial run in, and will be looking to find the net a few more times at least before the end of the season.

Friday 19th February
It's Cup football to finish off our schedule for the month, and that will continue into early March. Tomorrow we host Oxford United Stars in the Quarter-Finals of the Intermediate Cup, the third place side down in the third tier. Unsurprisingly, we are the overwhelming favourites for this tie with home advantage, and we have a chance to move into the Semi-Finals of a Cup competition that we are looking to win, despite more important things to deal with.

Saturday 20th February
It's a double header Saturday, and the Under-18's start it off the right way with a thumping 3-0 win over their counterparts from Lurgan Celtic at Knockramer Park this lunchtime, a result that keeps them very much in the Group 1 Title race as they chase down the holders and heavyweights Glentoran, as well as Portadown and Glenavon. Left winger Stuart Wilson opened the scoring in the first half, Joseph Nixon added a second early in the second half, and Robbie Walsh finished things off with a late penalty. Here's hoping the Senior side have things just as easy this afternoon.

Northern Irish Intermediate Cup, Quarter-Final
The Showgrounds, Coleraine
Coleraine v Oxford United Stars
Attendance :- 262. Weather :- Breezy, Drizzle, 7c.

Our team selection shows how seriously we are taking this competition, with just one change as John Robertson is rotated out of the matchday squad, Keith Steenson takes his place in the starting lineup, and Robert Donaghy is drafted in amongst the substitutes. A long range effort from Dan Schofield drifted well of target early on, before we started to turn the screws on the visitors. A Matty Robson corner picked out Andy McMillan but the striker sent his header wide, before Gavin Whelan picked out Gerry Nixon in the box, but he skied a shot well over the cross bar. At the midpoint of the first half, Tony Jones made a run down the right and sent in a low cross that found McMillan, who was felled by defender Aaron Dombrowski, and we were awarded a penalty. Jones is very reliable from the spot, and he sent his effort into the bottom corner to give us the lead. Chances to increase the lead would come and go, Keith Steenson missing the top corner twice, and then when he did send in a pass, Robson couldn't hit the target either. A rare chance at the other end saw Brendan O'Kane send a shot over the top as the first half came to a close.

We had been pretty comfortable in the first half, which made it all the more surprising when the visiting Stars pulled back level early after the restart, Michael Hughes sending a pass into the box for O'Kane, and the striker held off Andy Dickinson before sending a shot past Gerard Doherty and inside the near post. We set about getting our lead back, Jones cutting the ball back from the right to the edge of the box, Michael McCartney sent a shot well over the bar. Midway through the second half we were forced into a change, McMillan suffering a serious looking injury, and Steenson came off at the same time with Chris Johnston and Stuart Shaw both coming off the bench. Johnston immediately forced a save out of Gary Williams, but that was one of very few chances that we managed to create against a Stars side that were now defending stubbornly. Johnston came close again with only three minutes remaining, reaching Whelan's through ball into the box, but slipping his shot wide of the target. Extra Time loomed, until in the 90th minute Robson sent over a corner that was just too high for Dickinson, but not Ryan Young who powered home a close range header and won us the tie!

Coleraine (1) 2 - Tony Jones (23 pen), Ryan Young (90)
Oxford United Stars (0) 1 - Brendan O'Kane (53)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Ryan Young, Andy Dickinson, Stewart Devine; Keith Steenson (Chris Johnston 66), Michael McCartney; Gavin Whelan, Matty Robson; Gerry Nixon, Andy McMillan (inj - Stuart Shaw 66).
Unused Substitutes :- Robert Donaghy, Jason Campbell, Michael Hassan.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 63% - 37%. Man of the Match :- Ryan Young (Coleraine).

We still have a chance of winning at least a Double this season with this win, and we are also still involved in the Northern Irish Cup as well, but this one has come at a cost. Andy McMillan has damaged his knee ligaments after twisting painfully midway through the second half, and with an estimate of two to three months for him to return, by the time you factor in him getting match fit, it's pretty much end of season for the striker. Pat McIlroy has returned, and McMillan takes his place in the treatment room.

The media label the performance as an 'embarrassing effort', and I gave them a headline when I tell them that I was happy that we got the result. The draw is made for the Semi-Finals, and we will play against fierce rivals Ballymena United at a neutral venue to be decided on Tuesday 15th March. We have bigger Cup dates to enjoy before then though, as we face Glentoran in the capital next to start off a busy March.

Monday 22nd February
Chris Johnston is the only one of the regulars in the First Team Squad that hasn't yet signed a new contract to take him beyond the summer at Coleraine. Today he has rejected the offer we have put in front of him, but he hasn't left the table, and talks will continue, with a deal fairly close I suspect.

Wednesday 24th February
Johnston didn't take too long to think on the new offer, and the forward signs a one year extension on a reduced salary of £120 per week. The 20 year old former Under-19 International announces that he is delighted to be staying at the club.

Saturday 27th February
The Under-18's keep up the pressure on leading pair Glentoran and Portadown after a goal laden game at The Showgrounds today. Colin Canning and Joseph Nixon had us a pair ahead within quarter of an hour, and Paul McMaster reinstated the two goal advantage when it was halved. Once again Dungannon Swifts pulled a goal back, only for Martin Friars to nudge us further ahead again. The Swifts refused to lie down with their third, but they couldn't find a fourth, and our youngsters held out for a 4-3 victory.

Later in the day, with no match for the Seniors, there are wins for Glenavon (3-0 v Dungannon), Distillery (1-0 after extra time v Dundela) and Portadown (on penalties after a 2-2 draw v Bangor) in the Quarter-Final of the Northern Irish Cup. We play our tie away to Glentoran in midweek, and with the draw for the Semi-Finals made this evening, the winners know they'll face Distillery in the last four. Should we make it through our tie next week, it means a guarantee of a Premier Division v First Division tie in the Final.

[neilhoskins77]

Tuesday 1st March 2016
Much like February was, March is a month that brings a mix of League and Cup football for us, and also for me, a sprinkling of International football with India as the efforts to get them to the Olympic Games continue. That is unlikely to happen, far more likely is that by the end of this month Coleraine could be promoted back to the top tier and in a Cup Final, or maybe even two.

We'll start the month with our toughest challenge of the season most probably, a trip into Belfast to face heavyweight club Glentoran at their Oval home in the Quarter-Final of the Northern Irish Cup. We've come through three rounds of this competition to reach the last eight, holding hopes of a shock Cup success that would get us into Europe and pay off the clubs ever growing debts that still seem to be of no concern to anyone here, nearly £340,000 now for anyone keeping track. We've been given no chance of progressing tomorrow either, the bookies have us priced at 13/2 in a two horse race. We'll be doing our best to spring a surprise.

We've already exceeded the expectations of the Board for the Cup, and that is contributing to the suits upstairs being pleased with how things are going at The Showgrounds. As is usually the case, one players gets picked out for special recognition from the Board, which is Ryan Young. While another gets named and shamed as being the player who's performances need to improve, which is Gerry Nixon this time. There is some work to do for the Scottish striker.

Wednesday 2nd March

Northern Irish Cup, Quarter-Final
The Oval, Belfast
Glentoran v Coleraine
Attendance :- 2,896. Weather :- Downpours, 1c.

From the last Quarter-Final we played in just days ago to this one, there is only one change to the starting lineup, with injured striker Andy McMillan replaced by Stuart Shaw, which in turn leaves a place on the substitutes bench for Pat McIlroy to try and get his foot back in the door for a place in the side.

The opening ten minutes of the game saw us hit by a barrage of Glentoran set piece efforts, a Jim Strong corner needed clearing with a desperate hack away by Stewart Devine, before a short free kick routine saw Kyle Hutton walk onto the ball and try a powerful shot that Ryan Young bravely stood in front of. Those early chances had this large, noisy and partisan home crowd making plenty of noise, but we so nearly quietened them down when Gavin Whelan wandered in from the right wing, controlled the ball and crabbed across the edge of the box until the gap opened, hitting a shot that barely cleared the bar and probably took the top layer of paint with it. But normal service was quickly resumed, Luke Jackson forcing Gerard Doherty to charge off his line and produce a great block from close range, before the same player tried a dipping and swerving effort from range that Doherty had to touch over the goal frame. The pressure continued, John Smith tricking his way past two defenders as the half hour mark arrived, finding Andrew Waterworth who ballooned a shot high over the target. When Strong was forced off the park shortly before the break, the hosts had lost their main set piece weapon, but within minutes we had lost a crucial player of our own as Devine also needed to come off, replaced by teenage full back Jason Campbell.

We had reached half time all square, and the noise of the early spell had now been replaced with a murmuring disquiet from the Glentoran faithful as the second half kicked off. The top tier club went right back on the offensive, Jackson hitting a low curling shot from range that swerved in on goal and into the side netting. I wouldn't want you to think this was entirely one sided, and when we did get the ball, we were looking after it nicely, and Michael McCartney clipped a pass around the corner and over the defence to play in Stuart Shaw, the striker taking the wrong option as he tried to lift it over keeper Kenny Ross, getting too much on it and sending his shot over. We had now survived past the hour mark, and when Jackson shaped to shoot again, naturally our players converged to block the shot. But instead Jackson slipped a pass into the box for striker Andy McNeill, who took a touch and set himself to shoot. Fortunately, we still had enough players to surround him and crowd him away from the ball, young sub Campbell the one to make the vital touch this time. There was an air of desperation from Glentoran now as we entered the final quarter of an hour, both strikers replaced as they tried to force the door open. Jackson was still the threat we feared the most, be went for power from a free kick and had Doherty beat, but the ball continued to rise and missed the target. I burned my own final two changes just inside the last ten minutes, and McCartney and Gerry Nixon were replaced by Chris Johnston and Pat McIlroy as we went for fresh legs, meaning Whelan moving into the midfield. The ninety minutes were up, and we would drag Glentoran into an extra half hour that they simply hadn't expected to need today.

The chances were now starting to dry up, neither side willing to take the risk of shipping a goal at this crucial stage. When Jackson blasted a low free kick into our penalty box ten minutes into the extra session, panic ensued, sub Daryl Taylor touching the ball down for Jonathan Farrell, striker Shaw threw himself in front of that one, only for the ball to reach Brian King, who took a whack from Andy Dickinson in his effort to get a shot away, which failed to hit the target anyway. Into the second half of Extra Time, we won a corner that Whelan whipped into the box, the ball bouncing right through the six yard box with no one able to get a touch until the ball reached Matty Robson at the far post, his attempt to fire it home blocked by Gavin McDonald. When we got ourselves a bit of confidence and tried to step forward, we were almost caught on the counter, Young taking one for the team with as blatant a shirt pull to break up play as you'll ever see, and earning the games first booking in the process. With just seconds remaining, Tony Jones launched the ball down the right touchline and set off Johnston who's fresh legs easily out matched the Glentoran defences. Spotting the danger, Ross charged off his line, but got there second, Johnston skipping around him and towards the dead ball line, cutting the ball back towards the centre, Whelan sliding over the soaking turf to try and get a toe on it to poke it home, but coming up short. So this one would be settled from twelve yards out!

Winning the toss, we chose to take the kicks at the quieter end of The Oval, and Glentoran put us in to bat. Tony Jones started us off, and blasted the ball into the bottom corner, no one expected our resident spot kick expert to miss, and he didn't let us down here. Up stepped his opposite number Ciaran Foy, a former player of mine, and while he picked the opposite corner, he also blasted his shot low and hard to find the net. Gavin Whelan would step forward next, and he also went for power, right down the middle, and get our noses in front, with sub David Brown replying and the first left footed kicker of the contest putting it right inside the post. We sent in a left footer of our own, Matty Robson going for the more difficult shot back across the grain, and getting it wrong, too much on it and he sent it inches wide of the right post to put us at a potential disadvantage. That was forced home when Kyle Hutton picked out the same spot as team mate Brown had before him, and we were now chasing in the shoot out. Chris Johnston was a player I had reluctantly selected when he put his hand up to take the fourth spot kick, but what a penalty he produced, picking his spot right under the cross bar to keep us very much in it. But still behind though, a limping Brian King stepped forward and coolly sent his shot into the right corner to nudge Glentoran out of reach again. Skipper Keith Steenson would be our fifth taker, and he needed to score. And he did, not the best penalty anyone has ever taken, but Ross went the wrong way and we were level once more. But it was still match point though, and left back Eoghan Osbourne would take this one, trying what Robson had failed to do earlier, and doing a much better job and he sent his shot inside the post, and Glentoran into the last four, but we would take plenty of plaudits for our brave display today.

Glentoran (0) 0
Coleraine (0) 0
(Glentoran win 5-4 on penalties)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Ryan Young, Andy Dickinson, Stewart Devine (inj - Jason Campbell 44); Keith Steenson ©, Michael McCartney (Chris Johnston 81); Gavin Whelan, Matty Robson; Stuart Shaw, Gerry Nixon (Pat McIlroy 81).
Unused Substitutes :- Robert Donaghy, Michael Hassan.
Bookings :- Ryan Young 113
Possession :- 47% - 53%. Man of the Match :- Luke Jackson (Glentoran).

There is obvious disappointment that we fell short today, particularly from a financial point of view, as winning this Cup and taking the spot in Europe that it brings would have been the quickest way of dealing with our money worries. Instead, we get a measly £1,500 prize money as well as our share of the gate, leaving us still over £330,000 in the red.

On the plus side, we have shown we can hang with the big teams of the Premier Division, though granted this was a one off game, and doing it over a season if we can clinch the expected promotion will be more challenging of course. I have to admit to being very proud of my team today though, we defended superbly on the whole.

There is some bad news though, as Stewart Devine's season would appear to be done. The veteran Scottish left back suffered a pulled hamstring just before half time, and leaves us in a bit of hole. Being one of only two left backs at the club and fit to play, and both being in there first year since being given Youth Contracts, there will be an unexpected opportunity for Jason Campbell or Lee Mooney to help the cause and earn themselves a First Division Champions medal in their first season of football at a Senior Club.

One thing we can't afford to do is to feel sorry for ourselves and take our eye off the ball and our main season goal. We get right back to work this weekend with a trip to a mid-table Donegal Celtic side that are not out of the Playoff race just yet with eight games remaining, and they certainly won't be doing us any favours as we look to take another step towards promotion.

Friday 4th March
After a mixed spell of Cup action, we return to our bread and butter of Division One action tomorrow, with a trip into Belfast to face Donegal Celtic. Some rotation is going to be required, but with the injury room filling up and options in the squad limited, we'll have to be careful about overdoing it with the changes. We are still bookies favourites to continue our fine League run, though at 6/4 they clearly have it marked as a close one. The Belfast based side are unbeaten in their last five in the League themselves, though they have only won one of those games.

Saturday 5th March

Northern Irish First Division
Donegal Celtic Park, Belfast
Donegal Celtic v Coleraine
Attendance :- 189. Weather :- Dry, 7c.

We travel into the capital looking to move a step closer to cementing our return to the top tier of domestic football, and the big decision is at left back. With Stewart Devine out, it is a choice between the two first year players, and Jason Campbell gets the nod to start today, with Lee Mooney included amongst the substitutes. That isn't the only change though, with rotation required after we played 120 minutes plus just three days ago. Keith Steenson is replaced in midfield by John Robertson, who makes his 50th Career League Appearance. There are also rests today for both Gavin Whelan and Matty Robson, with Chris Johnston and Ryan Twist brought into their positions.

Despite the need for changes, we were fairly comfortable in holding Celtic at arms length in the early stages, limiting them only to a tame header from a corner which Gerard Doherty easily fielded. We created a far better chance at the other end, Stuart Shaw sliding a pass through to Ryan Twist inside the box, but the rarely used winger lacked the confidence to strike the ball with conviction, and instead didn't get a shot away at all before being closed down. Gerry Nixon is also lacking confidence, though you wouldn't have thought so had you seen his 33rd minute finish to put us in front. Jason Campbell linked with Twist down the left, and the latter sent the ball infield to Shaw. The striker had to battle to keep possession, and then squared it to strike partner Nixon, who let the ball run across his body and onto his right foot, before striking a powerful rising shot into the near top corner. That lead would be fairly short lived unfortunately, and it would turn out to be a double whammy for us too. Shaw and Nixon attempted to outnumber Celtic defender John Brown near halfway, but Shaw injured himself in that encounter. The pair also lost the ball, and it broke to Dwayne Crawford. The winger picked up the ball just inside our half and his turn of pace got him past Michael McCartney, and then in between Tony Jones and Andy Dickinson, as he broke into the box, drew Doherty off his line, and then fired across his and into the far bottom corner to square the game back up with a superb individual effort.

That injury to Shaw was the end of his afternoon, as we finished the half a man down while he received treatment, and then restarted with Pat McIlroy on in his place. The quality that had been on display with both of those goals, different as they were, was not present after the interval. Jones failed to pick out a team mate after McCartney got the ball back to him after a corner, his cross was a poor one. At the other end of the park, Brown decided to shoot from a very wide angle when he had far better options, and sent his effort well wide of the target to the dismay and annoyance of the home faithful. Jack Jones scooped an effort over the bar with a little over twenty minutes to play in what was still probably the best chance of the second half, which was fast becoming a dismal affair. Late like for like changes to replace Ryan Young and McCartney with Robert Donaghy and Michael Hassan as fresh leg options made no difference here today, and we would head back North with a point in our pockets.

Donegal Celtic (1) 1 - Dwayne Crawford (45)
Coleraine (1) - Gerry Nixon (33)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Ryan Young (Robert Donaghy 83), Andy Dickinson, Jason Campbell; John Robertson, Michael McCartney © (Michael Hassan 83); Chris Johnston, Ryan Twist; Stuart Shaw (inj - Pat McIlroy 45), Gerry Nixon.
Unused Substitutes :- Lee Mooney, Keith Steenson.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 48% - 52%. Man of the Match :- Dwayne Crawford (Donegal Celtic).

That point is a decent enough result for us, though our lead is cut to ten points as Limavady United win at home to Banbridge Town and move up into second with seven games remaining. With a schedule coming up that includes a few games we will be heavy favourites to win, along with some local derby matches. The gap closing certainly isn't going to worry us too much at this point.

Far more worrying is our increasingly lengthening injury list, which now includes Stuart Shaw. The Scotsman with ten goals this season is now likely to miss the remainder of the campaign, as along with Stewart Devine he has suffered a pulled hamstring. The striker landed awkwardly trying to help out Gerry Nixon, and when he attempted a sprint right after the damage occurred and our striking options have now become pretty limited. Let's hope it doesn't lead to our rivals getting a foot back in the door.

[neilhoskins77]

Sunday 6th March 2016
Of the First Team Squad, only two are not currently under contract for next season. Ryan Twist has hardly been used, and doesn't appear too keen to stay, and we're not exactly over eager to keep him to be fair either. Centre back Robert Donaghy is expecting an offer though, and this morning he found out that he isn't quite as well thought of as he thought he was. We're in a difficult position. With our finances the way they are, I've no idea how much money is likely to be available to strengthen for next seasons expected move up to the Premier Division. With that in mind, wherever we end up, we'll be going into next season primarily with what we have I expect, while also praying that we have a bit of money in the kitty to bring in a bit of extra quality.

Monday 7th March
It's unexpected, but it's an absolute bonus, as veteran centre back Declan O'Hara returns to training this morning. The 33 year old has been exceptional in the first season of his second spell at The Showgrounds, and will now look to try and return to match fitness after his pulled hamstring. He has been one of our best players this season, and will want to be involved in the run-in that is looking likely to see him earn a First Division Champions medal.

To the shock of nobody, goalkeeper Gerard Doherty is named in the First Division Team of the Week.

Friday 11th March
We're very heavy favourites for tomorrow's home game against Annagh United. The boys in red from Portadown are overachieving at life in general right now. They're not a second tier club by any criteria or method you would to come up with, but after winning the Second Division Title last season they have settled well in the First Division, and have positioned themselves nicely in mid table, well away from any relegation worries or dramas. It would be very easy to overlook them as easy pickings, a mistake I'm keen not to make as we're edging closer to the finish line in our promotion bid.

Saturday 12th March
Our Under-18's haven't given up hope of making it a double of League Titles as they continue to try and push our higher reputation rivals in Group 1 of the Under-18's League. They'll have been disappointed to have have coughed up a two goal lead this lunchtime in Drumahoe against Institute. A pair from Joseph Nixon had us in a good position, but Bryan Vauls and Tony Long fired back for the hosts, and Glentoran move a little clear at the top after beating nearest rivals Portadown.

Northern Irish First Division
The Showgrounds, Coleraine
Coleraine v Annagh United
Attendance :- 211. Weather :- Dry, 9c.

Gavin Whelan and Matty Robson both return to the starting lineup to replace John Robertson and Ryan Twist, with Whelan making his 375th Career League Appearance, while Pat McIlroy is selected up front to partner Gerry Nixon in place of the injured Stuart Shaw. After his early return from injury, Declan O'Hara is included in the matchday squad amongst the substitutes, replacing Robert Donaghy.

There was always a feeling that United would have to defend stoutly today to have any hope of a result, and that plan would be made more difficult when Ross Nelson felt the need to bring Pat McIlroy down right on the edge of the penalty box, earning himself a booking, though not punished to the full extent when Gavin Whelan curled the resulting free kick just over the top corner of the goal frame. McIlroy shot across goal a few minutes later and Jason Moore made a smart stop. The visiting keeper had to make an even better stop from our age group International striker after he was played into the box. We were in the middle of a great spell of dominance, and we took advantage of it in the 25th minute when Matty Robson sent over a corner, and Andy Dickinson escaped his marker and planted a downward header into the net to open the scoring. Moments later, McIlroy and Nelson clashed again, this time in the penalty box, Nelson possibly a little fortunate not to be shown a second yellow. But he would be more harshly punished this time, with a penalty awarded, and Tony Jones lethal as ever from the spot, placing this one into the top corner to notch his 10th goal of the campaign. Jones has made a name for himself burying penalties this season, but he didn't cover himself in glory in the 34th minute, Scott Stevenson and Ryan Beattie doing the build up work in midfield, and the latter sent a perfect diagonal pass across field and into the left channel of our penalty box, Jones failing to get his tackle in on Jamie Rice who got around the full back and sent his shot across goal and into the bottom corner to half our advantage. We went right back on the attack to try and get that one back, Robson sending a pass into the box for Gerry Nixon, the striker aiming for the top corner only to see Moore produce an acrobatic tip over the bar to keep the ball out.

No changes at the break, and a very early second half booking for Joe Holmes indicated that the pattern of the first half would continue, though Annagh had other ideas, a Beattie strike from long range following a free kick routine whistled well wide of the target. Substitute William Canning went a little closer still when Whelan coughed up the ball in midfield, lucky not to pay a heavy price for that mistake. Another free kick from the midfielder would have made amends nicely, but he couldn't quite get this one to dip and curl enough. With United making some changes, I turned to my own bench, Declan O'Hara coming on in his return from injury, and he went to centre back with Dickinson moving to the left as young Jason Campbell went off. With ten minutes remaining we almost pushed the game out of reach, Chris Johnston twisting and turning to earn his crossing room and then picking out Robson at the far post, his half volley forcing a superb low save out of Moore. That would be around the point in the game where we went a lot more defensive, with McIlroy coming off for Keith Steenson, who would sit in front of the back four, and then a few minutes later, Nixon also departing after taking a bit of a knock, Michael Hassan coming on and going into midfield, Whelan going wide, and Johnston becoming the lone striker. And we would survive the last few minutes, with our biggest scare coming from a pair of Evan Forsythe crosses that couldn't find a team mate.

Coleraine (2) 2 - Andy Dickinson (25), Tony Jones (30 pen)
Annagh United (1) 1 - Jamie Rice (34)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Ryan Young, Andy Dickinson, Jason Campbell (Declan O'Hara 71); Michael McCartney, Gavin Whelan ©; Chris Johnston, Matty Robson; Gerry Nixon (inj - Michael Hassan 86), Pat McIlroy (Keith Steenson 82).
Unused Substitutes :- Lee Mooney, Ryan Twist.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 56% - 44%. Man of the Match :- Andy Dickinson (Coleraine).

So Annagh United were no pushovers, and caused us some problems today, which really shouldn't be a surprise to anyone, as they have caused problems for everyone this season. They seem like they will continue to punch above their weight, and good luck to them going forward.

For us, elsewhere results went our way and our lead at the top of the First Division increases to twelve points with just six games left to play now, courtesy of Limavady United being held to a draw away from home against relegation candidates Armagh City. With a home game against Limavady in early April, we could potentially be as little as two League games away from winning the Title. With it seeming to now surely be a case of 'not if, but when', the focus of the other clubs will surely start to switch to an intriguing battle for the Promotion Playoff spot. But our focus now turns to Tuesday nights Intermediate Cup Semi-Final, and a derby date with Ballymena United.

2015/16 Northern Irish First Division Standings (Top of the Table), Up To & Including Saturday 12th March 2016

| Pos   | Inf   | Team              |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   |

| 1st   |       | Coleraine         |       | 20    | 14    | 5     | 1     | 35    | 18    | +17   | 47    |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 2nd   |       | Limavady Utd      |       | 20    | 9     | 8     | 3     | 38    | 27    | +11   | 35    |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 3rd   |       | Carrick           |       | 20    | 8     | 10    | 2     | 19    | 10    | +9    | 34    |
| 4th   |       | Ballymena Utd     |       | 20    | 8     | 9     | 3     | 31    | 21    | +10   | 33    |
| 5th   |       | Wakehurst         |       | 20    | 9     | 6     | 5     | 27    | 21    | +6    | 33    |
| 6th   |       | Distillery        |       | 20    | 7     | 11    | 2     | 27    | 19    | +8    | 32    |

Sunday 13th March
Matty Robson's assist yesterday was his 16th of the season, a new club record and topping his own previous best mark of 15 from last season.

Monday 14th March
That assist didn't manage to help earn Robson a place in this weeks First Division Team of the Week, but we are represented by four of his team mates, Gerard Doherty, Tony Jones, Andy Dickinson and Gavin Whelan.

Tomorrow we have a chance to earn ourselves a place in a Cup Final, for a Cup that we won for the only time in the clubs history back in 2013. That year we had to beat Glentoran Seconds in the Final, and this time around a win against Ballymena will earn us a Final date with either Wakehurst or Distillery. The bookies don't fancy us though, and they have made Ballymena the favourites. I don't care if it's a Cup Semi-Final or a Pre-Season kick around, we don't want to lose a derby game.

Tuesday 15th March

Northern Irish Intermediate Cup, Semi-Final
Warden Street, Ballymena
Coleraine v Ballymena United
Attendance :- 595. Weather :- Strong Winds, Drizzle, 7c.

Tuesday nights shouldn't really be Cup Semi-Final night, but here we are. It detracts from the occasion in my opinion. We make the short trip to Ballymena, while our opponents make an even shorter trip, though they're not at home, as they travel across town to Warden Street. This is the home of Wakehurst, who tonight are at our home The Showgrounds to face Distillery in the other Semi-Final. Changes are needed, and Andy Dickinson moves across to left back to replace Jason Campbell allowing Declan O'Hara to start in the centre of defence. Keith Steenson comes into the midfield, with Gavin Whelan moving out to the right wing, and Chris Johnston also moves, as he will join Gerry Nixon up front with Pat McIlroy dropping to the bench, the striker considered not yet far enough along in his return from injury to start twice in a few days.

There is a very strong wind blowing right down the centre of the park, and Ballymena have it at their backs in the first half. Chris Johnston picked up a very early booking which is frustrating, and will need to be considered later in the game. With the quarter hour mark approaching, Ballymena had the first chance, and it was a good one, Joe Stitt crossing from the left to Joe Porter who found himself unmarked near the penalty spot, Declan O'Hara throwing himself in front of the shot and deflecting it wide of the target. Barry Kee sent over some crosses from the opposite side that needed to be dealt with, before Porter received the ball to feet again, and once more O'Hara closed him down. Nigel McClelland sent a shot over the bar after another Stitt cross was only partially cleared as the wind continued to cause us problems. We held out through the remainder of the first half though. Would the wind make all the difference to us in the second half, or were we just second best here?

Maybe it was just the wind, as we created more chances in the opening five minutes after the restart than we had in the entire first half. The best of those saw a reversal in the intended roles, as Johnston knocked the ball down for Gerry Nixon, but he missed the top corner that he was aiming for. It didn't go any better when Keith Steenson played Johnston in, and the other half of our strike duo blazed his shot way over the bar. You can't blame Steenson for deciding to go for goal himself on the hour, but a shot that was always rising was carried even further by the wind, and cleared the stand and out of the ground. When we did finally keep a shot down, Johnston's effort was held comfortably by keeper Bobby Collins. After Nixon sent another two shots over the cross bar, I had to make a change, Michael McCartney coming off, Gavin Whelan going back into the middle, Johnston out to right wing, and Pat McIlroy came on to partner Nixon. Immediate impact? Not really. Great build up play saw the ball find it's way out to Johnston, and his pinpoint cross from the right was on Nixon's head, but once more the striker couldn't keep his effort down, sending the header over the bar. What this required was some skill, and composure. Enter Whelan. With eleven minutes to play a corner into the box saw McIlroy find the ball at his feet with his back to goal, and he laid the ball off to Whelan who sidefooted a shot inside the near post to finally open the scoring! It would be a lead that would last a little under ninety seconds. Right from kick off sub Gary Henderson made ground down the left, and with a booking to his name already, Johnston was in no position to make the necessary foul to break play up. Instead the ball went to Neil Ashton, who slid a through ball into Gareth Mercer's run, and he slipped his shot under the dive of the advancing Gerard Doherty and pulled the score level before I'd even had time to consider a tactical change. United went right for the winner, Adam Tann's deep cross headed back into the side netting by Kee. For some reason, they then decided to drop back, and were punished for doing so with just two minutes remaining. Whelan's inswinging corner looked set to fly right through the six yard box and past everyone, but there at the far post was Nixon, who finally kept a shot down and finished from four yards out to reinstate our lead. This time I was much quicker to make my changes, quickly subbing first Johnston, and then Whelan to take some more time off the clock, Michael Hassan and John Robertson coming on to help us see out the game, and we would have a Cup Final to look forward to!

Coleraine (0) 2 - Gavin Whelan (79), Gerry Nixon (88)
Ballymena United (0) 1 - Gareth Mercer (81)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Ryan Young, Declan O'Hara, Andy Dickinson; Keith Steenson ©, Michael McCartney (Pat McIlroy 68); Gavin Whelan (John Robertson 90), Matty Robson; Chris Johnston (Michael Hassan 89), Gerry Nixon.
Unused Substitutes :- Jason Campbell, Lee Mooney.
Bookings :- Chris Johnston 4
Possession :- 58% - 42%. Man of the Match :- Gavin Whelan (Coleraine).

It's always nice to win a derby match, and even better when it's a Cup Semi-Final in their own town, if not quite on their own patch. Okay, it might not be the most prestigious of Cups by any stretch of anyone's imagination, but it's been several years now since my first job in the game when I've won a Title or Cup, and this season there is a chance to win a 'Double', which would be the highest ranking competition wins on my resúme to date. The Final will be held in Belfast at the Seaview ground, former home of Crusaders until they moved into their brand new 4,200 all-seater capacity Grove Park Stadium home in 2011. It will be held in mid-April, by which time our main focus of the First Division Title could be settled. We'll face Distillery in the Final, after they defeated Wakehurst 3-1 at our Showgrounds home this evening in front of another pretty healthy looking attendance.

Two shout outs tonight, with the first for Gerry Nixon. The 21 year old Scotsman has found life more difficult this season with increased competition for places, and his form has been patchy to say the least. But after missing several chances during this game, he managed to find the net right at the death to earn us our Cup Final spot, and I give him his dues for keeping his chin up. And what about Gavin Whelan? At the age of 32, the Irishman has been consistently one of our best players this season, but has saved his very best form for Cup games, and tonight was no different as he scored the first, and setup the second.

I had time only to give the pair a quick pat of the back of congratulations, as I have a plane waiting to take me out to Syria, while I'll join up with the India Under-23 Squad in the early hours ahead of their Olympic Qualifying game in Aleppo tomorrow.

[neilhoskins77]

Saturday 19th March 2016
With no Senior game today, the Under-18's were the highlight at The Showgrounds this weekend, and they kept up their great form in the Under-18's Group One. Today it was their own derby day as they hosted Ballymena United, and they won 3-1. They had control for a large part of the game after Marc Vennard put the ball in his own net, but Paddy Bowden equalised for United with around twenty minutes to play. With a point apiece looking possible, Joseph Nixon fire in a quick brace to secure the win and keep the team in third spot and still in with a shout, albeit a long shot to overhaul the leaders.

Thursday 24th March
After almost ten days off since the Intermediate Cup Semi-Final, the team has had a good chance to recharge after a busy period, and also to get some great training in. Unfortunately, that good training claimed a victim today, as forward Chris Johnston suffered a damaged heel in a tackle, and will be out for two or three weeks. With Andy McMillan and Stuart Shaw both already on the sidelines, and Gavin Whelan as our only fit Senior player who can play on the right wing, we are now starting to run low on attacking options at a crucial part of the season.

Friday 25th March
That crucial part of the season begins tomorrow afternoon, as we make the trip into Belfast to face the Police Service of Northern Ireland. They're a club I've had history with since I became a Manager, starting with my time at Lurgan Celtic, and continuing here at Coleraine. They're currently on the kind of form that could see them relegated, though there are a few teams who will need to find a way to leap by PSNI to put them in greater danger.

We're heavy favourites as you might expect, but PSNI's loud Manager is Gavin Arthur. The 42 year old has been in charge at Newforge Lane for almost ten years, and during that time the sum total of his efforts is third tier Champions in 2014. He's a guy I've never really seen eye to eye with, and now he has spoken out against us again, stating that he is very much looking forward to denting our Title hopes tomorrow afternoon. I retaliate that hope is something that has been in short supply for PSNI fans with Arthur as their Manager, and relegation may look a bit closer to a reality when we beat them tomorrow afternoon.

Saturday 26th March

Northern Irish First Division
Newforge Lane, Belfast
Police Service of Northern Ireland v Coleraine
Attendance :- 274. Weather :- Dry, 10c.

Keith Steenson returns to the midfield today, allowing Gavin Whelan to push out to the right wing to replace the injured Chris Johnston. Our lack of forward cover for the bench requires a switch with the Under-18 side, Lee Mooney sent back to them, and striker Martin Friars is called up and immediately brought into the matchday squad for this game. With Mooney dropping out, Robert Donaghy is back involved.

The opening five minutes or so of the game saw us absolutely dominate possession, and earn the lead in the seventh minute. We passed the ball slowly around our back four, pushing PSNI back into their own half, before Keith Steenson turned away from a tackle and threaded a through ball in that sent Gerry Nixon between the centre backs, and he drew keeper Gordon O'Brien off his line before slotting his shot by him and into the bottom corner to give us a perfect start. And Nixon wasn't done with terrorising the PSNI defence early on either, Tony Jones overlapped down the right in the 13th minute and sent over a cross towards the near post. PSNI's defence en masse gravitated towards Pat McIlroy, leaving Nixon to sneak in at the near post and power his header inside the near post to double our lead in double quick time. My best friend Gavin Arthur in the opposite dugout must have been wondering what on earth was going on, but his team did start to settle down and start passing the ball around themselves, though they were finding our hard press a bit difficult to get around. They did manage to get the ball into our penalty box a few times late in the half, but they couldn't get away any clean shots on goal as we defended as well as we had attacked early on.

Neither side made any changes at the interval, with us clearly not needing to at this point. We missed a chance to extend the lead further, McIlroy chesting the ball down in the box and then shooting on the turn, that one flying over the cross bar. As for PSNI, they were failing to break us down at all. They made all their changes before we had even turned to our bench, and when I did make changes it was purely for fresh legs, with no tactical adjustments necessary. I got John Robertson and young Martin Friars on to replace Michael McCartney and McIlroy who I was keen to take the chance to rest. Jason Campbell also got a bit more First Team experience as he came on late for Declan O'Hara. Not only did we prevent them pulling a goal back, or getting any kind of real pressure on us, but we stopped them having a shot on target at all. Surely Gerard Doherty won't get in the Team Of The Week again for this one?

Police Service of Northern Ireland (0) 0
Coleraine (2) 2 - Gerry Nixon (7,13)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Ryan Young, Declan O'Hara (Jason Campbell 85), Andy Dickinson; Keith Steenson ©, Michael McCartney (John Robertson 75); Gavin Whelan, Matty Robson; Pat McIlroy (Martin Friars 75), Gerry Nixon.
Unused Substitutes :- Robert Donaghy, Michael Hassan.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 46% - 54%. Man of the Match :- Gerry Nixon (Coleraine).

I'm absolutely delighted with the way we controlled that game. We got our goals in early, and then just smothered our hosts completely, and didn't give them any sniff of getting back into the game. And just when we needed him the most, Gerry Nixon found his form and netted a double to earn us the win.

To top our day off, Limavady United are held to a draw again, this time at home to Queens University Belfast. That result leaves us fourteen points clear at the top with just five games remaining. A win in our next game will make us Champions. And that next game? It's home to local rivals and nearest challengers Limavady. An opportunity to win the Title in front of our own fans against one of our biggest rivals? Chances like that don't come around too often.

Monday 28th March
The quality of goalkeeping in this Division really must be poor, as despite not having a shot to deal with at all on the weekend, Gerard Doherty is still named in the First Division Team of the Week. Maybe his goal kicks were of a very high quality. He is joined in the representative selection this week by a pair of Scottish team mates, right back Tony Jones and striker Gerry Nixon.

Thursday 31st March
The final day of the month, and another huge boost for the squad just two days before our first match point at the Championship. 31 year old Scottish left back Stewart Devine has returned from injury quicker than expected, and is now racing to try and be fit for Saturday's derby showdown with Limavady United.

[neilhoskins77]

Friday 1st April 2016
April Fools Day. And if it were a competition, we have an early contender in the form of local rivals and tomorrow's opponents boss, Anthony Campbell. The 46 year old has been in charge of Limavady United since Christmas Eve of 2013, and attempted to try and explain how the upcoming Derby Game was a 'must win' for us. In reply, I told the press that Campbell should study the League Table more closely, and possibly with a mathematician's help as well. Another win will see us earn promotion, and while there will be plenty more chances if we can't do it at the first attempt, achieving it in a game against our local and bitter rivals, who also happen to be the closest challengers to us, would be the kind of day that will go down in club history. The bookies have made their minds up, as we go into the game unbeaten in fifteen and since early October in League football, and we're 1/4 favourites to finish the job tomorrow.

The Board remain pleased with how things are going at The Showgrounds, and they have more reason than normal to be happy as well, as we didn't actually lose any money in March, making a profit of £88 actually. It doesn't make very much of a dent in our overall debt however, and at this rate we would be debt free in the year 2347!

Saturday 2nd April
The big day doesn't start off favourably, as our Under-18 side finally fall out of Title contention in Group One in the opening event of a double header day, as Daniel West's fifth minute header is enough to earn the win for leaders Glentoran, who remain three points ahead of Portadown. The third place that our youngsters currently occupy is the best they can achieve realistically now, as they fall to ten points behind their opponents from this afternoon. Let's hope this isn't an omen for the afternoon's main event.

Northern Irish First Division
The Showgrounds, Coleraine
Coleraine v Limavady United
Attendance :- 254. Weather :- Dry, 7c.

I have to say I was a little deflated at how low the attendance was for such a big game, and a local derby at that, on a dry early April day, which admittedly wasn't particularly warm. Those who have followed us all season will notice the same lineup as the team selected for the win against Police Service of Northern Ireland last time out, with just one change amongst the substitutes, Stewart Devine brought back into the matchday squad after returning from injury only a few days ago, and he replaces Jason Campbell.

Our first chance to put our noisy neighbours in their place would come just ten minutes in, Andy Dickinson playing a diagonal pass towards the right corner of the box that Gerry Nixon flicked back inside and into the path of Pat McIlroy, his low driven shot deflected just wide of the far post. Nixon and McIlroy were absolutely causing United issues up front, but they were capable of giving us something to think about too with their top scorer Paul Anderson, his dipping drive not finding the target. McIlroy's next effort was too high as well, a passage of play that saw Dickinson need some treatment for a knock. The theme continued with Mark Bain sending a free kick well wide of the target, before a Gavin Whelan corner to the near post found Declan O'Hara's head, but he couldn't keep his header down. Right before the break, Tony Jones beat Denny Ford for pace down the right wing, then felt he was obstructed as he attempted to reach the ball at the dead ball line, chasing the ref back up the park to continue his penalty appeals, and maybe quite fortunate to avoid being booked for dissent.

That knock was bothering Dickinson, and I decided not to risk him going back out for the second half. That decision was a risk in itself, as the only just returned Stewart Devine would come on in his place despite not being completely match fit. The Scotsman would get involved right away though, part of the build up with Michael McCartney and Matty Robson which allowed the latter to fire a low 50th minute cross in towards the penalty spot, McIlroy escaping his marker, letting the ball run across his body on to his right foot, and then sending a powerful low shot back across goal and into the near bottom corner to open the scoring with his fifth goal of the season! We almost surrendered that lead right from kick off, Bain playing a through ball to Sean Mooney between the centre backs, but Gerard Doherty came off his line to narrow the angle and block the shot. Then we needed to survive again as David Cleary thumped a first time shot off the keepers cross bar. I was starting to think about changing things up when Richard Mason had two bites at the cherry to try and get United level, his first effort blocked, his second lumped high and wide of the target. But then midway through the second half McCartney intercepted a loose ball and sent a diagonal pass into the path of McIlroy, and he found his strike partner Nixon who found the net with beautiful curling shot from range to double our lead! United had no plans to go anywhere and let us enjoy the final twenty minutes or so, Bain trying again with a close range header that Doherty had to tip over the top corner. McCartney and McIlroy would come off the park during the latter stages, replaced firstly by John Robertson, and then young striker Martin Friars. Late on, Friars almost put the icing on a very nice cake with a volley that flew just wide of the goal, not that it mattered today. Job done!

Coleraine (0) 2 - Pat McIlroy (50), Gerry Nixon (68)
Limavady United (0) 0
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Ryan Young, Declan O'Hara, Andy Dickinson (inj - Stewart Devine 45); Keith Steenson ©, Michael McCartney (John Robertson 75); Gavin Whelan, Matty Robson; Pat McIlroy (Martin Friars 87), Gerry Nixon.
Unused Substitutes :- Robert Donaghy, Michael Hassan.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 50% - 50%. Man of the Match :- Pat McIlroy (Coleraine).

Mission Complete! For the first time since the 2009/10 season (the second season of this save), finally I have a trophy to celebrate, the fourth in total of my career to date (two League Titles and two Cups), and every single one of them has come in Northern Ireland! It's a big day for the club, who were starting to believe that this may be their new default level of football. This was not a promotion that was expected this season, with both Ballymena United and Distillery predicted to finish ahead of us and deny us even a Playoff spot. Seeing that 'C' next the clubs name on the League Table tonight is a great feeling.

Ballymena and Distillery both have opportunities to reach the Playoff themselves, and they are our next two opponents, Ballymena away in ten days in the League, followed by Distillery in Belfast a fortnight today as we seek to add the Intermediate Cup to the First Division Title and make it a domestic double for the season. The bruised shin that forced Andy Dickinson off at half time should hopefully not cause him a problem for either game with some recovery time before we get back on the park.

I'd love to celebrate with the Board, Players and Supporters this evening, but I'll need to limit myself as while the club have a bit of a break, I have work tomorrow with an Indian Under-23 Squad due to be named ahead of the next Olympic Qualifier out in Saudi Arabia.

I received plenty of texts and calls of congratulations this evening, not least from Marty Quinn. The 60 year old Glenavon Manager is a Coleraine Showgrounds legend, and he called to offer his congratulations and to say he was looking forward to pitting his skills against a Coleraine side the Premier Division once again next season.

2015/16 Northern Irish First Division League Table, Up To & Including Saturday 2nd April 2016

| Pos   | Inf   | Team              |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   |

| 1st   | C     | Coleraine         |       | 22    | 16    | 5     | 1     | 39    | 18    | +21   | 53    |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 2nd   |       | Ballymena Utd     |       | 22    | 10    | 9     | 3     | 35    | 23    | +12   | 39    |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 3rd   |       | Wakehurst         |       | 22    | 11    | 6     | 5     | 31    | 22    | +9    | 39    |
| 4th   |       | Carrick           |       | 22    | 9     | 10    | 3     | 21    | 11    | +10   | 37    |
| 5th   |       | Distillery        |       | 22    | 8     | 12    | 2     | 29    | 19    | +10   | 36    |
| 6th   |       | Limavady Utd      |       | 22    | 9     | 9     | 4     | 40    | 31    | +9    | 36    |
| 7th   |       | Donegal Celtic    |       | 22    | 8     | 8     | 6     | 24    | 20    | +4    | 32    |

 

[neilhoskins77]

Sunday 3rd April 2016
Scottish striker Stuart Shaw has had a season that has been stop and then start again due to injuries, though that can be said for much of my strike force. The 23 year old is already assured of a Champions medal, he has played enough League games to not have to worry about that small matter. He does now have an opportunity to feature in some more games this season, as he returns to training following a thigh injury.

Monday 4th April
Gerard Doherty continues his almost exclusive possession of the goalkeepers spot in the weekly First Division Team of the Week representative selection, where he is this week joined by centre back Declan O'Hara.

Wednesday 6th April
Speaking of keepers, it's official, I've had enough of non contracted goalkeeper for the reserve team, Trevor Smyth. The 19 year old local lad is constantly requesting a contract, when it's clear he doesn't have the ability to play at this level, never mind the next level. Today is one request too many, and young Trevor is told his services are no longer required after almost four years with the club. We wish him all the best for his future endeavours. I suspect they will end up being outside football however.

Thursday 7th April
Our injury worries are starting to clear up a bit, with right winger and sometimes striker Chris Johnston returning to training today after being sidelined for a couple of weeks with a foot injury.

Saturday 9th April
No game for the First Team this weekend, and it looks like the Under-18's forgot to turn up too. They were thumped 4-1 away to a Glenavon side who duly took their third place from them in the process.

Monday 11th April
Tomorrow evening is our first game since winning the Title, and it's an away game against another local rival as we travel to face Ballymena United. They are going to be fully focused on trying to claim second spot and earning themselves a Promotion Playoff, and we certainly won't be getting any applause or plaudits from them. They are actually the favourites for the game, maybe the bookies think we have been partying too hard since being crowned Champions.

Tuesday 12th April

Northern Irish First Division
The Showgrounds, Ballymena
Ballymena United v Coleraine
Attendance :- 251. Weather :- Wet, 13c.

Ten days after securing the Title, and we are back in action with another big derby match against a Ballymena United side who are looking to join us in returning to the Premier Division, though the Playoffs is now the only route available to them. As predicted, there is no guard of honour from our rivals ahead of a game which see's some changes to our substitutes bench. Michael Hassan is left out, and Martin Friars returns to the Youth team as the squad is bolstered by the return to the matchday squad from injury of Chris Johnston and Stuart Shaw.

Our passing game was on point in the early stages as we dominated possession and pinged the ball around to pull the United defence back and forth across the park. With a little over five minutes on the clock, Matty Robson brought the ball down on the left and cut back inside his marker before running into the box, ignoring the strikers waiting for his cross and instead pulling the ball back for skipper Keith Steenson, his shot stung the hands of Bobby Collins, but he kept it out. At the other end, Tim Porter skipped past two tackles down the United right before slipping an inside pass to Rob Saunders. His attempted cross struck the hand of Andy Dickinson on it's way over, and after a hesitation that seemed to last a lifetime, the referee pointed the spot. The centre back was pretty close to being carded over his protests, but that didn't distract Porter who drove the penalty down the centre with Gerard Doherty diving to his right, and opened the scoring. We set about finding our way back into the game, Gavin Whelan having his own penalty shout turned down, before Robson clipped over a cross that Gerry Nixon caught on the volley only to see it deflected behind. From a later corner, Declan O'Hara glanced a header against the near post, as our attempts to get level before the break were in vain.

With a very frustrating first half behind us, I pushed the button on all three of my changes at the break. Stewart Devine came on at left back to save Dickinson from himself ahead of the weekend's Cup Final, while both Chris Johnston and Stuart Shaw came on to make their return from injuries, the former in place of Steenson and going out to the right allowing Whelan to move into the middle, while the latter replaced the ineffective Pat McIlroy up front. It certainly seemed to balance us out a bit more, Nixon sent a spectacular looking volley wide, and Shaw scuffed a shot agonisingly past the far post after dropping his shoulder to earn his shooting space. A United counter nearly caught us out, a long ball down the middle saw Porter beat Ryan Young for pace, but the shot he lifted over the charging out Doherty also cleared the bar. The chances continued to drop largely our way, Robson's cross headed down by Nixon into the path of Shaw, and he saw Collins make a superb point blank save to keep the United lead intact. As time started to tick away, Shaw sent a curling shot just over the top corner, before Robson's cross was headed against the far post by Johnston. It was just one of those days where it wouldn't go in for us, and United would take bragging rights from this one to end our long unbeaten League run.

Ballymena United (1) 1 - Tim Porter (17 pen)
Coleraine (0) 0
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Ryan Young, Declan O'Hara, Andy Dickinson (Stewart Devine 45); Keith Steenson © (Chris Johnston 45), Michael McCartney; Gavin Whelan, Matty Robson; Pat McIlroy (Stuart Shaw 45), Gerry Nixon.
Unused Substitutes :- Robert Donaghy, John Robertson.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 45% - 55%. Man of the Match :- Tony Jones (Coleraine).

Our hopes of remaining unbeaten for the rest of the season after losing just once this season before the start of the day, way back in October, had come to an end at the hands of our elated local rivals, who in turn did their Playoff hopes no harm at all on a day when Limavady United also won at home to Wakehurst. 

It wasn't the end of the world by any means, but it certainly  smarted a little bit. Saturday would be the next day the trophies were handed out though, and it may just provide a timely kick in the backside for us ahead of the Cup Final against Distillery on our big day out in the capital as we aim to complete a double. The big question was who had done enough to get into the side at Seaview this coming weekend?

[oche balboa]

Nice work as usual 

[neilhoskins77]

4 hours ago, oche balboa said:

Nice work as usual 

Thanks as always Oche. Hope you're well.

------------------------------------------------------------

Wednesday 13th April 2016
After last night's defeat in Ballymena in front of another very poor attendance, and poor crowds on the whole throughout our season at The Showgrounds, our Board are going to try and do something about the numbers ahead of our return to the Premier Division. Next Tuesday's home game against Ards will see local residents invited to apply for free tickets to the game in the hope of attracting new fans to the club and promote the team more efficiently in the town.

Hoping to be part of the squad for that game, and for the rest of the season, is 19 year old striker Andy McMillan, who returned to training today after 8 weeks out with a knee injury. The 6'3 home grown talent has scored eight goals in all competitions this season, and his return will see increased jostling for places in the starting eleven and matchday squad.

Thursday 14th April
Competition for striking spots on the whole has got hotter today, with just turned 17 year old first year player Darren Doyle signing a new deal to remain at The Showgrounds for at least another year. Doyle hasn't yet made his Senior debut for the club, but has found the net five times this campaign while playing for the Reserve and Youth teams.

Friday 15th April
Tomorrow is Intermediate Cup Final day in Belfast, as we face Lisburn Distillery at the capital city's Seaview ground in our first ever appearance in the Final of this particular Cup in the clubs 89 year history. It is also Distillery's first appearance in the Final of this competition, meaning there is a guarantee that a new name will be etched onto the trophy tomorrow afternoon. The bookies have set us as the odds on favourites for that honour, though that would upset the historical form book between the sides. In sixteen games since the beginning of the 2008/09 season, Distillery have won nine, but six of those games came in that first season of the save. A better form guide is probably the results of this seasons pair of First Division matchups, both of which have ended up as draws. A tight game is almost certainly in store.

Saturday 16th April

Northern Irish Intermediate Cup Final
Seaview, Belfast
Lisburn Distillery v Coleraine
Attendance :- 2,731. Weather :- Wet, 13c.

Seaview, the former home stadium of Crusaders before they moved to their brand new all seater Grove Park Stadium almost five years ago now. Their old stadium holds almost 3,400 fans and is over 80% full for this Final, making for a superb atmosphere before the game. Despite defeat last time out in midweek away to Ballymena, I resist the urge to bring any of the players returning from injury back into the starting lineup, limiting myself to bringing Michael Hassan back into the matchday squad at the expense of Robert Donaghy. There is a bigger issue for our opponents, Distillery are without their leading scorer Craig Lynch who suffered a torn calf muscle at the end of February which ended the Englishman's season.

A fairly uneventful opening spell was brought to life in the seventh minute when Michael McCartney intercepted a poor pass in midfield and sent the ball forward to Pat McIlroy. The striker used the diversion run of Gerry Nixon beautifully, and angled his run first to the right, and then back towards the box, before unleashing a shot that Paul Davidson had to get fingertips to and divert over the bar. Nixon would have the next crack a short while later, a shot on the turn after good work from Gavin Whelan to play him in was stopped by the legs of the keeper. A series of corners and deep crosses from the opposition failed to cause us too many issues, but a passing play through the centre did, and first Andy Dickinson and then Keith Steenson had to produce blocks to prevent George Beckett getting a shot in on goal. That spurred Distillery on, and a whipped corner into the near post was almost headed into his own net by Tony Jones, the ball flying just over his own cross bar. It was also during this spell that keeper Gerard Doherty went down with a knock to his back, unable to pinpoint if he had twisted or landed awkwardly, or come out second best in a clash dealing with one of the corners. Either way he declared himself okay to carry on thankfully, as we didn't have a keeper on the bench, and he was still on the park to see us go in front. Dickinson sent the ball down the left touchline from his full back position, and McIlroy showed a surprising turn of pace to escape from Martin Chambers and centre the ball with a low drilled cross. Nixon and a defender both threw themselves at it and failed to make contact, but the ball rolled on into the right channel, where Whelan arrived and took a touch, before sending his shot back across goal and into the far bottom corner to give us a 29th minute advantage with his 5th goal of the campaign. Before the break we attempted to exploit the left flank again, the ball switched across to Matty Robson who showed Alex Cole a clean pair of heels and picked out McIlroy near the penalty spot, the striker unable to get the ball out from his feet quick enough to squeeze in a shot at goal. Our lead at half time remained a slim one as Peter Carlisle had a shot pushed over by Doherty and Beckett sent a half volley high and wide of the target.

Neither side made any changes at the break, with Doherty seeming to be fine, not that we could do much about it if he wasn't to be honest. It was certainly Distillery who showed more attacking intent after the restart, Liam Shepherd taking the long route around before firing a powerful shot that Doherty got behind but couldn't hold, Declan O'Hara there to mop up the rebound. Carlisle sent two more curling efforts off target, while Shepherd was dealt with by the sheer strength of Ryan Young before he got into the penalty box and got a shot off. Sensing a shift though, I called for fresh legs, O'Hara taking a knock that meant Dickinson moving into the centre and Stewart Devine coming on at left back, before skipper Steenson was also replaced, with John Robertson coming into the centre of the park. The theme continued though, and Beckett sent a shot on the turn wide of the target. Distillery were now turning to their bench as well, but the chances were starting to dry up. A golden chance would come our way to end the argument just after my final substitution, Chris Johnston coming on for goalscorer Whelan and he switched the play from right to left, Robson coming inside and allowing acres of space for the overlapping Devine. He picked his target in the box and found the head of Nixon, the striker would power his header wide of goal however. Distillery were now throwing everything forward, but Young still had a tight grip on Shepherd, tight enough that the striker thought he should have had a penalty with ten minutes to go after the pair came together in the box. The ball broke loose to be whipped into the box and Neal Gawley was at the far post waiting to apply the touch, but Jones stepped in front of him to head it behind and break that particular chance up. The corner was wasted, but one more chance would need to be dealt with as the clock showed two minutes remaining, Cole finding Gawley unmarked in the box, but he blazed that one over and their final chance had come and gone, despite McIlroy struggling to finish the game after a late knock with all our substitutions already used. The Cup would be coming home with us, and we had a Double to celebrate.

Lisburn Distillery (0) 0
Coleraine (1) 1 - Gavin Whelan (29)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Ryan Young, Declan O'Hara (inj - Stewart Devine 55), Andy Dickinson; Keith Steenson © (John Robertson 67), Michael McCartney; Gavin Whelan (Chris Johnston 78), Matty Robson; Pat McIlroy, Gerry Nixon.
Unused Substitutes :- Michael Hassan, Stuart Shaw.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 45% - 55%. Man of the Match :- Gavin Whelan (Coleraine).

In the opening two seasons of this save with Lurgan Celtic, I won the Intermediate League Cup twice and the third tier Title. Now with Coleraine, a second tier League Title and the Intermediate Cup are added to my honours list, a second domestic 'Double' of sorts secured seven years after the first one. A great day for both myself and the club, with only a couple of games remaining to bring down the curtain on a very satisfactory season.

So other than the ability to claim that we have landed a 'double', and a silver trophy (tin pot), what else do we get? Not a whole lot is the answer. £5,000 for participating in the tournament, and an additional £11,000 for winning it. Of that £16,000 half is immediately handed out to the First Team Squad to share between them, and lets be fair, the remaining £8,000 isn't exactly going to make much difference to our debt levels. We lost something as well, Pat McIlroy, the striker injured his toe late on and with only three League games to come over the next ten days, that may well be it for the Under-21 International's season.

[neilhoskins77]

Sunday 17th April 2016
My name is linked with a job that has just become available in Turkey. The Boluspor club have just sacked their manager, former Turkish International player Zafer Tüzün, after being relegated from the second tier First Division despite winning over the weekend against the team directly above them. Other results didn't go their way and they will drop into the third tier, which doesn't allow any foreign players. That will cause the club an issue as their current squad features multiple players that are not Turkish. For that reason, I give the link no consideration. It was interesting to note that I was described as 'India Manager' and not 'Coleraine Manager' in the article.

Monday 18th April
Gerard Doherty (of course) and Tony Jones are both named in the First Division Team of the Week.

Not named is Ryan Twist, not least because he hasn't featured for us very often this season. Brought in last summer to provide competition for Matty Robson down the left as the English winger starts to hit his veteran footballing years, his countryman Twist has not grasped the albeit minimal chances at all, and as a result his opportunities have started to dwindle throughout the season. Today he came knocking asking for more football. With his contract ticking down, the 27 year old is advised to start thinking about finding another club.

Tomorrow night we face 10th placed Ards at The Showgrounds, the visitors knowing that a win will secure their position for next season in the second tier. At 1/8, the bookies think they will need to prioritise other games to ensure they retain their First Division status, as we will be looking to put on a performance in front of what is expected to be the largest League crowd of the season with tickets being given away as part of a fan day recruitment drive for our penultimate home match of the season.

Tuesday 19th April

Northern Irish First Division
The Showgrounds, Coleraine
Coleraine v Ards
Attendance :- 379. Weather :- Drizzle, 12c.

Fan day, or night if you prefer, at the Coleraine Showgrounds and an uplift in attendance for the game that is getting towards the region of the fifty percent mark for a game that means far more to our opponents than it does to us, this is celebration night as far as we're concerned. The only partially fit Declan O'Hara is replaced in the back four by Stewart Devine who slots back into his left back position with Andy Dickinson pushing across to centre back. Gavin Whelan was the man who's goal won us a Cup on the weekend, but he is rested tonight and Chris Johnston starts on the right wing, while the injured Pat McIlroy is replaced by Stuart Shaw up front. O'Hara and Whelan take places on the bench, while Andy McMillan is called into the matchday selection.

The party style atmosphere would continue despite a very early setback. A fine passing move from Ards got them to the edge of our box, and Craig Kennedy shaped to shoot before instead sending a deft through pass between our centre backs and into the run of Niall McMenamin who duly slipped a shot under the onrushing Gerard Doherty's dive and put us a goal behind with just three minutes played. Tony Jones curled a free kick just over the top corner he was aiming for, before we almost got caught out again, Andy Dickinson needing to make a crucial tackle to stop Kennedy going in himself this time. Where we were having success was in the air, where Gerry Nixon was beating his marker each time and providing valuable knock downs, but the Scottish striker wasn't able to get his head to any of the slew of corners we won around the half hour mark. Ards expected another cross when Jones overlapped deep down the right, but instead he cut the ball back beautifully into the path of Michael McCartney, but he blew his shot well high and wide of the target. We were now in complete control, but unfortunately the next chance came to Nixon's feet rather than his head, and he sent his effort wide. On the rare occasion that Ards were able to attack they were getting close, and Ashley Upton only just missed the top corner with an effort from twenty yards out. Just before half time, the team fighting for their second tier survival would wish they'd taken one of those chances. Keith Steenson sent the ball down the left channel of the box that would've made Stuart Shaw very much second favourite to reach the ball first. He did get there first though, and found Matty Robson who sent a cross in to the near post where McCartney made amends for his miss a while ago, as he beat keeper Steven Sinton to the ball and poked it into the bottom corner to level things up in first half injury time.

Ards were concerned enough by our domination to make a change in their back four at the break, but a fat lot of good that did them, as five minutes after the restart we were in front. Nixon was key again, as Steenson found the target man on the edge of the box, and he knocked it down to his fellow Scot and strike partner Shaw, who swept a rising shot into the top corner to put us ahead for the first time this evening. Chances would continue to come and go, Ards winger Andy Gilmore would like another go at his, the ball from the right wing finding him on the left side of the box but his first touch was a bad one and allowed both Ryan Young and Dickinson to converge on him. On the 65 minute mark I emptied my bench and made a trio of changes, all attacking, as I looked to push the game out of the visitors reach. McCartney, Chris Johnston and Nixon were all replaced by John Robertson, Gavin Whelan and Andy McMillan. However Ards 'did a Coleraine' on us, skipper Ryan Newberry sent in an outswinging corner that found half time substitute Declan Faulkner, who powered home a header from 12 yards out to knot the game back up once more! With time ticking away both sides now believed the win was possible, but neither actually managed to get close, and spoils were shared this evening.

Coleraine (1) 2 - Michael McCartney (45+1), Stuart Shaw (50)
Ards (1) 2 - Niall McMenamin (3), Declan Faulkner (74)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Ryan Young, Andy Dickinson, Stewart Devine; Keith Steenson ©, Michael McCartney (John Robertson 65); Chris Johnston (Gavin Whelan 65), Matty Robson; Stuart Shaw, Gerry Nixon (Andy McMillan 65).
Unused Substitutes :- Declan O'Hara, Michael Hassan.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 52% - 48%. Man of the Match :- Declan Faulkner (Ards).

Awful choice for man of the match in my opinion, Faulkner did very little of note in the game other than heading home the equaliser, and even without a biased head on I'd still think that both Nixon and Robson had more impact that the sub Ards defender. Dropping two points didn't make any difference of note to us, but to Ards the point combined with other results going their way does confirm their status in the First Division for next season. Also taking a point this evening was Limavady United, but for them that wouldn't be enough, as while they were drawing away to Carrick, there was a 2-1 win for Ballymena away to derby rivals Wakehurst, and that gives them a five point advantage with just two games to play, and them looking heavy favourites for the Promotion Playoff spot.

Of more importance to us is the Board's review of fan night. The largest home crowd of the season for a League game watched that one, and the Board believe an exciting night of football will lead to a good outcome in many of them coming back to The Showgrounds for a game, and this time paying for the privilege.

It's straight to the airport for me after this one, and I'm headed right back off to India for our penultimate Olympic Qualifying game on another whistle stop visit to the sub continent before heading right back for our Saturday game away to Banbridge.

[neilhoskins77]

Friday 22nd April 2016
After being involved in the game that saw Ards confirm their First Division status for next season, we could well be involved in relegating another club this weekend. We travel to face bottom of the table club Banbridge Town tomorrow, where we are heavy favourites to potentially put the final nail in their relegation sized coffin. With a large goal difference deficit, defeat would all but doom them to third tier football next season.

Saturday 23rd April

Northern Irish First Division
Crystal Park, Banbridge
Banbridge Town v Coleraine
Attendance :- 191. Weather :- Dry, 13c.

Left back Stewart Devine makes his 325th Career League Appearance, while Michael McCartney makes his 25th League outing in Coleraine colours. Declan O'Hara recovers from injury earlier than expected and returns to the starting lineup, Andy Dickinson dropping to the bench to take his spot.

I had absolutely prepared myself and my players for a Banbridge side that would come right out of the blocks taking into their account the desperate predicament that they found themselves in. But that didn't happen at all, and smart build up play from Michael McCartney and Stuart Shaw had the latter play Chris Johnston through on goal, only to see Steve Wylde turn his shot around the post. Set pieces are a great weapon for us, Stewart Devine sent in an inswinging free kick from the right touchline that found it's way past all our main threats and landed on the head of Matty Robson, which was a shame as he isn't a great finisher with his head and he sent this gilt edged chance over the bar. We continued to be the dominant side in a first half that was poor on quality largely, Tony Jones whipped in a free kick this time from the left touchline, which found it's way all the way through to Wylde who gratefully fielded the ball, and Johnston slashed at a good chance and sent his effort well wide of the target.

We continued into the second half very much in control as we had been in the first half, with Gavin Whelan replacing McCartney in centre midfield as we looked for more creativity to press home our advantage. Shaw had the pace advantage on the Town defence as he chased a Gerry Nixon flick on into the box, the home side needing three defenders to stop the Scot getting his shot in before Jones picked out Robson in the left channel of the box with a cross field pass, the winger bringing the ball down and electing to shoot with his weaker right foot and getting it all wrong. With Nixon fairly ineffective today, I replaced him with young striker Andy McMillan as we reached the final twenty minutes. With ten minutes to play Eamon McCarthy fired a warning shot with a long distance effort that didn't dip enough to trouble Gerard Doherty. But we failed to heed the warning, and with two minutes to play we would pay the price. Eddie Stanford's free kick delivery from near the corner flag was flat to the far post, and found skipper Seamus Thompson who headed it back across goal. Sub striker McMillan had gone back to help, but proved to be more of a hindrance as he ignored Doherty's shout to let the ball run back across to him, and swiped at it himself, managing only to hook the ball hopelessly into his own net, and we would get nothing from a game we had dominated for large spells.

Banbridge Town (0) 1 - Andy McMillan (88 og)
Coleraine (0) 0
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Declan O'Hara, Ryan Young, Stewart Devine; Keith Steenson ©, Michael McCartney (Gavin Whelan 45); Chris Johnston, Matty Robson; Stuart Shaw, Gerry Nixon (Andy McMillan 69).
Unused Substitutes :- Andy Dickinson, Michael Hassan, John Robertson.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 38% - 62%. Man of the Match :- Ryan Young (Coleraine).

There was nothing on that game for us of course, but I was low key fuming that we had lost it and were now three League games without a win. From watching the game and poring over the stats, nothing I saw suggested that Banbridge should have come out of that with a win.

But win they did and they are now one of three teams that will go into the final day fighting to avoid being in the bottom two and getting relegated. We're home to the side that are currently out of the drop zone by virtue of their goal difference, Armagh City, on an evening where we will finally be handed the First Division Championship trophy. The side we lost against today, Banbridge, will travel to face Wakehurst. The only one of the trio to have home advantage are 13th placed Queens University, who host Bangor, a side just outside of this fight and now safe. Meanwhile at the other end, our recent poor League form means that our unassailable lead at the top is cut to six by a Ballymena United side that are now guaranteed a Promotion Playoff.

Monday 25th April
Gerard Doherty is named in the First Division Team of the Week. Interesting fact. I have been copying and pasting this sentence since October......

Despite our poor recent League form, the bookies have us as heavy favourites for our home game with Armagh City tomorrow evening as we complete our 2015/16 season. It's the evening we are to receive the silverware at long last, so a bumper crowd is expected for this one, swelled further by travelling City fans who know a win will all but guarantee their sides safety from relegation given their superior goal difference, any other result and they are at risk of being pushed into the drop zone and playing third tier football next season. However the build up to the game is dominated almost exclusively by talk of whether Gerry Nixon has shown enough this season to merit a place in the squad of a Premier Division side next season.

Tuesday 26th April

Northern Irish First Division
The Showgrounds, Coleraine
Coleraine v Armagh City
Attendance :- 559. Weather :- Showers, 17c.

Gavin Whelan returns to the right wing in place of Chris Johnston in the only change from the weekend, as we close out the season in front of the biggest crowd at The Showgrounds for this campaign.

And we would get off to a flyer too. Gerry Nixon had already missed the target with an early sighter from range after Stuart Shaw picked off a poor clearance. When Gavin Whelan swung over a fourth minute corner, Nixon got in between a defender and the goalie to connect with a downward header to put us ahead with his 10th goal of the season. We were in complete control, Nixon and Whelan failing to trouble keeper Willem de Lange as we moved the ball around beautifully at times to drag City players out of position and cause problems for a team that now needed to find a way to get some attacks going. But with half time approaching, they did just that. Daniel Walsh used to play for me at Maidstone United, here he battled away against my centre backs and got away an awkward looking shot that Gerard Doherty couldn't hold, and Robbie Johnson buried the loose ball into the bottom corner to level things up and give City a new hope of staying in the First Division.

It was very hard for me to be anything other than satisfied at least with how the first half had gone largely, except that late sucker punch of course. The second half began much the same as the first, with us well in control. Tony Jones deep cross from the right was just too high for Shaw on the edge of the six yard box. But their keeper once more showed poor distribution skills moments later, and his side would pay a heavy price as Keith Steenson won the ball and fed Jones, who in turn quickly sent Nixon into the box, the striker drawing the frustrated keeper off his line before guiding his shot firmly past his ankles and netting his second of the game! City weren't going away, and Walsh continued to cause us issues, Doherty needing to push his shot away after a counter attack. Whelan would come off just beyond the hour mark to allow the pace of Chris Johnston to enter the game. He would have an almost immediate impact too, Nixon heading the ball down to the winger, and his precise through ball was played between the centre backs for Shaw to race onto, and he lifted his shot over de Lange and into the roof of the net to surely push us out of City's reach this evening. A whipped free kick from wide right by Matty Robson had to be headed off the line to prevent us stretching our advantage still further, before skipper Steenson and two goal man Nixon were given the opportunity to soak up a personal ovation as they were replaced by Michael Hassan and Andy McMillan respectively. It was no surprise to see City's frustration with the situation boil over late on, Aaron Young booked for speaking out of turn, and then moments later being sent off for a second yellow offence in the 90th minute when he cynically tripped Johnston after being left for dead by the wingers piece of skill in front of an appreciative stand full of our fans, who would soon get themselves onto the park to celebrate with the players.

Coleraine (1) 3 - Gerry Nixon (4,56), Stuart Shaw (65)
Armagh City (1) 1 - Robbie Johnson (38)
Gerard Doherty; Tony Jones, Declan O'Hara, Ryan Young, Stewart Devine; Keith Steenson © (Michael Hassan 74), Michael McCartney; Gavin Whelan (Chris Johnston 62), Matty Robson; Stuart Shaw, Gerry Nixon (Andy McMillan 75).
Unused Substitutes :- Andy Dickinson, John Robertson.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 54% - 46%. Man of the Match :- Gerry Nixon (Coleraine).

Queens University drew with Bangor, enough to see them past Armagh City who sank to the bottom of the table, but not enough to see them past a Banbridge side that won at Wakehurst to save their second tier status on the last day and send Queens down to the Second Division as well.

Not that our focus was there, as all eyes were on our young hometown skipper as Keith Steenson made it a double with the first honours of his career as he lifted the First Division Championship Trophy high into the evening sky as his team mates and some particularly exuberant fans gave him a champagne drenching as he did so!

Scottish striker Gerry Nixon netted a double of goals tonight, taking him into double figures for the campaign in all competitions and moving his average rating beyond where he pitched last season. With a new contract signed, we now need to decide how important the 21 year old will be to us next season in the Premier Division.

The winning of the First Division has done nothing at all to ease our financial concerns. We are awarded £3,900 for finishing in top position, but the Squad Payout comes out to £4,200, swallowing up our prize money, and then some. We finish the campaign in the red to the tune of almost £345,000!

2015/16 Northern Irish First Division, Final League Table

| Pos   | Inf   | Team              |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   |

| 1st   | C     | Coleraine         |       | 26    | 17    | 6     | 3     | 44    | 23    | +21   | 57    |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 2nd   | Pl    | Ballymena Utd     |       | 26    | 14    | 9     | 3     | 43    | 26    | +17   | 51    |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 3rd   |       | Limavady Utd      |       | 26    | 10    | 11    | 5     | 45    | 36    | +9    | 41    |
| 4th   |       | Carrick           |       | 26    | 10    | 11    | 5     | 27    | 19    | +8    | 41    |
| 5th   |       | Distillery        |       | 26    | 9     | 13    | 4     | 33    | 24    | +9    | 40    |
| 6th   |       | Donegal Celtic    |       | 26    | 10    | 10    | 6     | 29    | 23    | +6    | 40    |
| 7th   |       | Wakehurst         |       | 26    | 11    | 6     | 9     | 33    | 29    | +4    | 39    |
| 8th   |       | Annagh Utd        |       | 26    | 8     | 10    | 8     | 34    | 31    | +3    | 34    |
| 9th   |       | Ards              |       | 26    | 8     | 4     | 14    | 23    | 36    | -13   | 28    |
| 10th  |       | Bangor            |       | 26    | 5     | 11    | 10    | 28    | 32    | -4    | 26    |
| 11th  |       | P.S.N.I.          |       | 26    | 7     | 5     | 14    | 21    | 34    | -13   | 26    |
| 12th  |       | Banbridge         |       | 26    | 5     | 8     | 13    | 17    | 38    | -21   | 23    |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 13th  | R     | Queens University |       | 26    | 4     | 9     | 13    | 20    | 33    | -13   | 21    |
| 14th  | R     | Armagh            |       | 26    | 5     | 5     | 16    | 32    | 45    | -13   | 20    |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[neilhoskins77]

2015/16 Coleraine Players Stats (All Competitions)

|     Name          |   Apps  | Gls  | Ast  | MoM  | Pas  | Tck  | Drb  | Sh T | Yel  | Red  | Av Rat |

| Gerard Doherty    |    43   | -    |  1   | -    | 40%  |  -   |  -   |  -   |  -   |  -   |  6.83  |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Ryan Young        |  17 (9) |  2   |  -   |  3   | 66%  | 4.22 | 0.05 |  -   |  1   |  -   |  6.96  |
| Andy Dickinson    |  37 (2) |  4   |  -   |  4   | 66%  | 3.91 | 0.16 |  -   |  2   |  -   |  6.95  |
| Jason Campbell    |   4 (3) |  -   |  -   |  -   | 59%  | 5.16 | 0.70 |  -   |  -   |  -   |  6.90  |
| Stewart Devine    |  30 (3) |  -   |  3   |  1   | 65%  | 4.10 | 1.31 |  -   |  1   |  -   |  6.95  |
| Declan O'Hara     |  36 (1) |  6   |  -   |  3   | 65%  | 3.08 |  -   |  34% |  3   |  -   |  6.94  |
| Robert Donaghy    |   0 (2) |  -   |  -   |  -   |  -   |  -   |  -   |  -   |  -   |  -   |   -    |
| Tony Jones        |  40     | 10   |  7   |  2   | 70%  | 3.12 | 3.65 |  47% |  1   |  -   |  7.19  |
| Lee Mooney        |   4     |  -   |  -   |  -   | 62%  | 4.84 | 0.65 |  -   |  -   |  -   |  6.33  |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Keith Steenson    |  37 (4) |  1   |  4   |  1   | 74%  | 4.90 | 0.44 |  16% |  2   |  -   |  6.91  |
| Michael Hassan    |   0 (8) |  -   |  1   |  -   | 65%  | 1.88 | 0.94 |  -   |  -   |  -   |  6.75  |
| Michael McCartney |  25 (15)|  2   |  4   |  1   | 77%  | 3.15 | 0.76 |  14% |  -   |  -   |  6.83  |
| John Robertson    |   8 (11)|  -   |  -   |  -   | 75%  | 4.26 | 0.35 |  -   |  -   |  -   |  6.76  |
| Colin Canning     |   1 (1) |  -   |  -   |  -   |  -   | 0.64 | 2.55 |  -   |  -   |  -   |  6.45  |
| Gavin Whelan      |  35 (4) |  5   |  12  |  3   | 71%  | 2.65 | 3.44 |  28% |  1   |  -   |  6.98  |
| Chris Johnston    |  25 (11)|  1   |  4   |  -   | 60%  | 1.37 | 5.47 |  30% |  2   |  -   |  6.85  |
| Matty Robson      |  40 (1) |  5   |  18  |  3   | 68%  | 1.61 | 1.31 |  38% |  -   |  -   |  6.92  |
| Ryan Twist        |   3 (9) |  1   |  -   |  -   | 61%  | 0.93 | 0.93 |  -   |  -   |  -   |  6.63  |
| Matthew Dornan    |   0 (1) |  -   |  -   |  -   |  -   |  -   |  -   |  -   |  -   |  -   |  6.50  |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Gerry Nixon       |  25 (8) | 11   |  3   |  3   | 68%  | 0.56 | 1.08 |  33% |  -   |  -   |  6.83  |
| Andy McMillan     |  20 (5) |  8   |  2   |  1   | 68%  | 0.59 | 0.75 |  30% |  -   |  -   |  6.71  |
| Martin Friars     |   0 (4) |  -   |  1   |  -   |  -   |  -   |  -   |  -   |  -   |  -   |  6.60  |
| Pat McIlroy       |  18 (11)|  5   |  8   |  3   | 67%  | 0.70 | 1.30 |  29% |  -   |  -   |  6.70  |
| Stuart Shaw       |  22 (5) | 12   |  3   |  2   | 68%  | 1.32 | 1.58 |  33% |  1   |  -   |  6.83  |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[neilhoskins77]

Friday 6th May 2016
A 5th minute strike from forward Dan Bartley hands Crusaders a single goal advantage to take into the Second Leg of the Premier Division/First Division Playoff against Ballymena United after the opening leg took place this evening in the capital at the Grove Park Stadium.

Sunday 8th May
The Players and Staff of Coleraine have today officially been released into off-season, and will be on holiday until Monday 27th June, when they will return for pre-season training.

Obviously that doesn't include me, as well as International duties with India, I also have the task of looking for upgrades to our Senior Squad as we prepare for our return to the Premier Division. One of the areas I'm keen to improve is in goal, where I have sent contract offers to a pair of players with International experience, who have both accepted, but both need Work Permits. It will now be a waiting game to see if we can complete signings for both, one, or neither.

Tuesday 10th May
Home advantage proved to be key tonight, as Ballymena United spun the tie on its head with goals in the opening quarter from Gareth Mercer and Chris Wilson wiped out and then overturned the Crusaders advantage from the opening tie. And when their Club Captain and defender Aaron Black received a second yellow card right on half time, the game was up, and so were Ballymena, who held a desperate Crusaders off the scoresheet, and will take their place in the Premier Division next season, while the four time Northern Irish Champions become the latest former heavyweight club to be squeezed out of the top tier by the wave of clubs able to not only reach the top tier, but outperform clubs who traditionally have long held seats at the top table.

Unsurprisingly, a huge exodus of Crusaders players begins over the next couple of days, with their Senior Squad effectively breaking up. If Neal Carson, who has been in charge for around eighteen months, is to continue in the job at Grove Park Stadium, he is going to have a very busy summer rebuilding the roster at the club.

Friday 13th May
Until I learn what kind of budget I have to work with, making any key signings for the new season is going to be difficult. Today we lose out on young Ballymena United defender George Ricketts, with the Welsh Under-21 International stating he has received a far better offer from Coca-Cola League Two club Bury Town, and will not move into the Premier Division with either Ballymena or ourselves.

Wednesday 18th May
Those Work Permit decisions are starting to look more important by the day, as my attempt to take a piece of the great Crusaders Exodus fails, goalkeeper Paul McKane will instead cross the sea and play in England next season with Rotherham United, who have just been relegated from Coca-Cole League One down into the fourth tier.

Sunday 22nd May
19 year old centre back Ryan Young will be hoping to add to his two Senior Caps for Gambia in the coming weeks, as he is called up by the nations Belgian manager Paul Put for their upcoming quartet of FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifying Second Round Group One matches. They will start with a home game against Ethiopia, before travelling to face Swaziland, and returning back to Gambia to face South Africa, and then Swaziland again. The games will take place over the next four consecutive Saturdays.

Tuesday 24th May
The club have today released their financial details for the last twelve months, and they make frankly awful reading. Wages in excess of the £200,000 mark have contributed to a loss of £140,000 in the last financial year. That amounts to a staggering 59% of the clubs total turnover. As of today, the club is in the red to the tune of £350,750, and the debt has been gradually spiralling for the last five years now. There has to be an end game somewhere, promotion to the Premier Division is not a golden ticket in Northern Irish football. It isn't going to lead to access to a huge pot of TV money, multi million pound sponsorship deals, or through the roof attendances. At some point, the club has to address the financial issues, but right now the heads appear to be well and truly buried in the sand. I get judged on football results, not bank statements. My hands are tied to a large extent, as if I don't spend the money I'm allocated and don't get the results, then I'm out the door.

Saturday 28th May
Ryan Young played the full ninety minutes this evening for Gambia in Banjul, as a five goal salvo in the opening half an hour helps them on their way to a convincing 7-2 victory over Ethiopia in their opening World Cup Qualifying Group One match. It's a third Senior International Cap for the talented youngster, and has only served to increase the interest in his him, with Glentoran, Livingston and Ross County all said to be considering bids for the 19 year old.

Sunday 29th May
33 year old centre back Derek Tyrell had a very competent first season in Northern Ireland, helping Newry City finish fifth in the Premier Division. The queue to sign the former Leeds United Youth player was sizeable, and we missed out along with Lurgan Celtic and a couple of clubs from across the border, as he agrees to continue playing at that level by signing for Cliftonville.

[neilhoskins77]

Wednesday 1st June 2016
It is not just the squad I'm looking to improve ahead of our return to the top tier. I give my backroom staff a boost with the signing of Marian Cisovsky as a Coach at the club. The 36 year old announced his retirement from football last week, a career that saw him win 20 Senior International Caps for his native Slovakia, and play as well as in his homeland but also in Romania, and would finish his career across the Irish Sea from us in Swansea, where he made 27 appearances in the Coca-Cola Championship in two seasons in South Wales. Adept at the tactical and technical side of the game, happy to assist with coaching and developing youth players as well as the first team squad, and skilfull at scouting both current and future talent and potential in a player. An excellent addition to the staff.

It is clear that when it comes to the 'have's' and the 'have not's' in the top tier, we fall very much into the latter category. While we are trying to find players on the cheap and attempting to pick up the leftovers that other clubs no longer need, successive League Champions of the nation Linfield are spending £20,000 on players from England that will doubtless be stars at this level of football.

Thursday 2nd June
Both of the goalkeepers I have tried to sign have their work permit applications rejected, which isn't entirely unexpected, but is still very disappointing. Neither has played enough International football to qualify to come to the country and play football for a wage with Coleraine.

Friday 3rd June
With little regard for club finances from elsewhere in the club, I've decided that I can't afford to hold back either, and have today broke the bank to get a signed contract from a player I believe can help us stay out of relegation trouble in the upcoming season at the very least. This is a former Coleraine player that would be returning to the club, a player that I've had to deal with during my time at The Showgrounds while he has been playing for a rival. Assuming the Board don't step in to halt this transfer, it will go ahead on the 1st July, fingers crossed.

Saturday 4th June
While the nation where I earn a living are facing the nation that I manage, our young Coleraine centre back Ryan Young is out in Africa adding to his cap total with The Gambia. He has represented them for the fourth time today as they continue their FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifying campaign, and they pick up another win in Manzini against Swaziland, our boy Ryan even picking up an assist in the 2-1 win that keeps them on pace with heavyweights South Africa in the early stages of Group One.

Sunday 5th June
I was hoping I wouldn't need a work permit for former Moldovan Under-21 International left winger Dumitru Vasilescu on account of his status as a dual national of Romania. Unfortunately that isn't the case, and the player we have agreed to take on a free from Moldovan club side Dacia Chisinau now has to wait a month to almost certainly see his application rejected.

Monday 6th June
21 year old Coleraine native Matthew Dornan will leave his hometown club this summer as his contract is about to expire and he isn't offered a renewal. The 6'4 attacking midfielder played 22 League games for the club, and also had a very productive season in the third tier with Portstewart. He has been snapped up to play at that level next season with Killymoon Rangers, who have preserved their third tier status without really threatening to move into the second tier at any point.

Tuesday 7th June
Also moving on will be another Coleraine native, as Robert Donaghy prepares to leave the club he has served for five seasons. He played 24 times in League action, but only two substitute appearances this season gave him advance warning that his days at The Showgrounds were numbered. He isn't moving too far, as he signs on with near and fierce rivals Limavady United who spent much of season in the running to join us in the Premier Division next season.

Saturday 11th June
Ryan Young would play the full ninety minutes today for The Gambia in Banjul, earning his fifth cap in a 2-1 World Cup Qualifying defeat against South Africa. It was a great showing from his nation against one of the continents more powerful footballing countries, though Young did suffer a strained neck during the game and will likely miss the final of this quartet of Internationals next weekend as Swaziland arrive in the country, and The Gambia look to strengthen their grip on second place in Group One.

Wednesday 15th June
Despite earning promotion, as a club we have been overtaken by multiple foreign clubs over the last twelve months, and when the European Club Rankings are released today we have dropped 21 places down to 538th in the continent. The biggest leap up was by Norwegian club Bodo/Glimt who jumped 191 places to a spot just outside the Top 200 clubs. The number one ranked club in Europe according to these Rankings are once again Arsenal.

Saturday 18th June
When the Northern Irish Annual Football Awards Night is held, it's Linfield who sweep the board. Their continued qualification for European football has seen the club move to a financial level that makes it almost impossible for any other Northern Irish club to match them. That is highlighted by two of their signings this season. 22 year old former Scottish Under-21 International striker Jack Brown was signed from Heart of Midlothian for almost £200,000, and in 47 games in all competitions he would find the net an impressive thirty four times, helping him become the Premier Division Signing of the Season. On the flip side, the signing of 17 year old England Under-19 International centre back Derek Ord wasn't considered a success. Named as the Premier Division's Worst Signing of the Season, which might be unfair on the teenager as it mainly reflects the fee, a never before seen at this level £1.2m signing from Wigan Athletic, who he never played a competitive game for. He wasn't their only big money signing, they also paid £725,000 to Bolton Wanderers for 19 year old England Under-19 International midfielder Michael Constable. How on earth are we going to compete with that next season.............

........well, we have had a contract today from a Northern Irish Under-19 International goalkeeper today who we are signing on a Free Transfer after he failed to come to an agreement with his current club. Doesn't quite sound so impressive does it.......

[neilhoskins77]

UEFA 2016 European Championships Review

Qualification

Group A (Belarus, Germany, Greece, Kazakhstan, San Marino, Wales)
A very competitive opening group, well, between half of the nations anyway. Top seeds Germany would stroll through the section dropping points only with draws in Athens, and maybe a little more surprisingly in Minsk. There was also a separate battle at the other end to stay off the bottom of the Group, a battle maybe a little surprisingly won by San Marino with both teams winning their home game against each other, and San Marino also managed to hold Greece to a goalless draw at home too, though they did also take an 11-0 hiding from the Germans. Those dropped points from Greece could have proved crucial, as it came on the final game day. Fortunately for them, Wales were being beaten 1-0 by Belarus in Minsk at the same time, and the Greeks with that point and their better head to head over Wales snatch the Playoff Spot from Kenny Jackett's devastated Dragons!
Qualified :- Germany
Playoff Spot :- Greece
Out :- Wales, Belarus, San Marino, Kazakhstan

Group B (Azerbaijan, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Scotland)
More 'Home Nation' participation here, as Scotland are pitched into what I would call a pretty tough looking section. And a section where off course the Italians are the favourites. But Italy do have form for failing to look good while Qualifying, and a draw in Glasgow plus a defeat in Norway stand out as what most would call poor results. They won the rest of their games though to top the Group, and it would wind down to Scotland and Norway competing for the Playoff spot in the run in, with Hungary not quite managing to last the course as challengers. They would still be involved though, as while Norway were nervously winning in Luxembourg, the Hungarians were unable to hold out the Scots at Hampden, and Alan Irvine's Tartan Army will go to the Playoffs by virtue of their better head to head record over Norway.
Qualified :- Italy
Playoffs :- Scotland
Out :- Norway, Hungary, Azerbaijan, Luxembourg

Group C (Albania, Andorra, Croatia, Northern Ireland, Serbia)
The Home Nations are coming thick and fast, but there would be no happy ending here for Nigel Worthington and the Green and White Army. In a Group where the main interest was of course on the battle between Croatia and Serbia, the Northern Ireland side managed just two wins, both against Andorra, and even then the away tie would need an injury time winner to see them avoid an embarrassing result. Their only other point would come in a home goalless draw against Serbia, a result that would prove crucial to the Serbs as when all was said and done it left them two points behind Group Winners and the favourites Croatia, and Serbia would have to settle for a Playoff spot. Albania were the surprise package, winning half their games, though that of course also came at the expense of Northern Ireland and the zero point Andorrans who conceded 50 goals in their eight games, including a 7-0 at home to Albania, an 8-0 away to Serbia, and an eye watering 14-0 in Croatia.
Qualified :- Croatia
Playoffs :- Serbia
Out :- Albania, Northern Ireland, Andorra

Group D (Finland, France, Lithuania, Montenegro, Romania)
When Romania beat France at home in the second gameday to head the Group, many in Europe were starting to wonder if one of the Continents heavyweight nations could miss out on automatic qualification, maybe even the Playoffs as well. Fortunately for the French, it didn't come to that, as they didn't drop another point through the campaign and in the end won the Group comfortably. A very poor Finland side were out of sorts and won just once through the campaign, and that was against the winless bottom of the Group side Lithuania, who did at least manage three draws. That left Romania and Montenegro to battle for the Playoff spot, a contest effectively ended in the penultimate gameday when Montenegro could only draw in Helsinki in their final match, and while level on points with Romania who still had a game to play, the Romanians also held the head to head advantage, though they removed the doubt by beating Lithuania in Bucharest.
Qualified :- France
Playoffs :- Romania
Out :- Montenegro, Finland, Lithuania

Group E (Austria, Bulgaria, FYR Macedonia, Holland, Liechtenstein)
Holland produced the first, and what would be the only 100% record in European Championships Qualifying, and no one could say they necessarily had an easy group either, as Group E turned out to be quite a competitive section. For Finland in the last Group, see Austria in this one, as their only points came from a pair of wins over Liechtenstein, who are hugely handicapped by all bar two of their entire squad playing not only domestically, but also for the same club. Bulgaria would turn out to be best of the remaining duo, only dropping points to Holland, and their home and away victories over the FYR Macedonia proving crucial to them earning the Playoff spots.
Qualified :- Holland
Playoffs :- Bulgaria
Out :- FYR Macedonia, Austria, Liechtenstein

Group F (Georgia, Malta, Slovenia, Sweden, Turkey)
The tightest Group in terms of overall closeness for the places that matter, and it ended with a minor shock too. As you might expect, you can rule Malta out of that close fight, and Georgia joined them, though it would be only fair of me to mention that Georgia were actually very competitive throughout the campaign. Not at their best were Sweden, who lost early on in Turkey, and by the time they also lost heavily in the return to the same opponents a shock was looking very possible, with Turkey and Slovenia both having very good campaigns. Turkey finished their schedule first with a 2-2 draw in Tbilisi while Slovenia thrashed Malta. That left an intriguing end to the Group to come, Sweden hosting Slovenia knowing they needed a victory to win the Group, push Slovenia down to second spot and knock Turkey out. It didn't work out that way though, a 2-2 draw meant Slovenia won the Group to qualify, Turkey will go to the Playoffs, and Sweden are out!
Qualified :- Slovenia
Playoffs :- Turkey
Out :- Sweden, Georgia, Malta

Group G (Belgium, Faroe Island, Latvia, Russia, Ukraine)
That shock would pale by comparison to the shock that transpired in Group G however. There were early signs that all was not well in the Belgium camp from the start. In their opening three games they were held to a draw in Latvia, beaten at home by the Russians, and then only beat the Faroes in Toshavn courtesy of a very late pair of goals. With Ukraine and Russia building a cushion, the pressure grew on Ariël Jacobs and his team as draws were no longer good enough for them. Defeats in Moscow and Kiev within a month of each other left Belgium out of the picture, and Jacobs out of a job. That win over Belgium shortly after beating Russia themselves was enough to clinch the Group for Ukraine, and Russia will be in the Playoffs.
Qualified :- Ukraine
Playoffs :- Russia
Out :- Belgium, Latvia, Faroe Islands

Group H (Armenia, Iceland, Israel, Poland, Portugal)
Now in his 30's, Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal team were the outright favourites for this pool, but they didn't have things all their own way in a section that certainly wouldn't be considered as easy. They won their opening four to put themselves firmly in control, partly due to no outstanding competitor emerging as the rest took points from each other. Israel earned a point in Portugal, and that would become the start of a run that saw the favourites win only one of their last four, losing at home to Iceland and away to Poland, and finding themselves heading to Armenia on the final gameday with all possibilities still open. Their win would earn them a place in the Finals, pushing Poland into the Playoffs, and the end of the road for Iceland who could have won the Group or made the Playoffs with a win in Israel instead of a 3-0 defeat on that last day.
Qualified :- Portugal
Playoffs :- Poland
Out :- Iceland, Israel, Armenia

Group I (Cyprus, England, Estonia, Slovakia, Switzerland)
England often have a fairly straightforward run to Major Finals, the problems usually begin once they get to the event itself. This time the problems started early when they lost at home to Slovakia. They got right back on track with wins in Switzerland and Estonia either side of a home win against Cyprus, but the Group was thrown open again when Switzerland picked up the win at Wembley. Fortunately for Stuart Pearce and his Three Lions, the Swiss would then lose in Slovakia and Estonia, leaving England to claim top spot, while Switzerland would eventually claim second by result of their last day win at home to Cyprus.
Qualified :- England
Playoffs :- Switzerland
Out :- Slovakia, Estonia, Cyprus

Group J (Bosnia-Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Denmark, Moldova, Republic of Ireland)
Look at that for a stacked Group that the Irish have found themselves pitched into! I almost feel sorry for Moldova to be honest. Ireland kicked off their campaign well with a win in Prague and a draw in Copenhagen, and then got to watch on a little bit as others dropped points amongst each other, including Denmark being held at home to Moldova. The early impressive start of Bosnia was halted by home defeats to Denmark and the Czechs, but both then went on to lose next time out, including an Irish win in Dublin against Denmark. The Irish went into the last gameday guaranteed at least a Playoff spot, which was good as they lost in Sarajevo. But at the same time the Czech's were beaten in Copenhagen, leaving Ireland top of the Group while the Danes win over the Czech's gave them the head to head advantage and a Playoff spot.
Qualified :- Republic of Ireland
Playoffs :- Denmark
Out :- Czech Republic, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Moldova

[neilhoskins77]

UEFA 2016 European Championships Review (continued)

Qualification Playoffs

Denmark v Bulgaria
The Danes hosted the First Leg in front of a full house at the Parken, and saw Middlesbrough forward Valeri Bojinov open the scoring for Bulgaria inside 60 seconds. They would be far happier for the most part after the break with Thomas Enevoldsen and Niklas Pedersen scoring within 15 minutes of each other, despite Christian Poulsen being shown a straight red card just after the hour mark. He wasn't the only one to suffer that fate, as Brazilian born forward Tom was also sent off for Bulgaria in the last ten minutes.

A week later in Sofia another packed out stadium saw an incredibly intimidating atmosphere at the Vasil Levski. It sure intimidated the Danish players anyway, Stuttgart striker Dancho Kostadinov scored in the tenth minute, and Newcastle United forward Tsvetomir Todorov turned the tie around before the break, and put Bulgaria in control. The frustration of the Danes would show in the second half, and there was still time for yet another red card as Michael Jakobsen was sent off in the dying minutes.
Qualified :- Bulgaria
Out :- Denmark

Greece v Serbia
The attendance for the First Leg in Piraeus was 33,333. That fact was of no relevance whatsover, though it does lead me to let you know there were three goals in this one. Serbia opened the scoring early on through Stojan Vranjes, only to see Alexandros Tziolis level things back up just five minutes later. But a bullet free kick from full back Aleksandar Kolarov had the Serbians back in the lead before the break. The second half was far quieter, largely due to Greece being reduced to ten men with Giannis Pappis sent off in the 52nd minute. It will be a tough ask now for the Greeks in Belgrade.

It didn't seem to trouble them too much at the Marakana home of Red Star though. Xanthi striker Vasilis Koutsianikoulis scored in the 26th minute, and right on half time it was added to by Dimitris Koiliaras on his Senior International debut as the Greeks turned the tie around in the same way Bulgaria had against Denmark. Once more the team that were pre-tie favourites are out, and the 2004 European Champions will go to the party in Spain twelve years on from their still much talked about surprise success.
Qualified :- Greece
Out :- Serbia

Russia v Poland
If you arrived early or left late at the Lokomotiv Stadium in Moscow for the First Leg, then you'd have missed all the important action. German based Russia striker Alexandr Kerzhakov had his team in front with only three minutes on the clock, but a very capable Poland team had levelled within the ten minute mark via right winger Daniel Maka. But this would be a day for the Russians, and with three minutes left to play, prolific striker Roman Pavlyuchenko heading home a winner to allow them to take a lead over into Poland in a weeks time.

In the return leg, Poland would give the Russians all they could handle, and then some. They took the lead early through Genoa striker Dawid Janczyk with just six minutes on the clock to level the tie on aggregate, only to lose that lead on the night before half time from a free kick by Manchester City full back Yury Zhirkov. But his City team mate and prolific International goalscorer Robert Lewandowski netted just after the hour mark. The game seemed to be headed for Extra Time to decide who would go to the Euros, until 27 year old Schalke striker Alexandr Stavpets found the net for Russia with only seconds remaining in the ninety minutes, to break the Polish hearts.
Qualified :- Russia
Out :- Poland

Switzerland v Scotland

The Scots would be happy with this draw I daresay, but that didn't make it an easy path to Spain, as they would find out in the opening game of the tie in Bern. It would be Scotland who would take the lead early on through attacking midfielder James Morrison, but the equaliser arrived less than ten minutes later courtesy of one of the new Swiss footballing sensations, FC Köln's 21 year old striker Christoph Margairaz scoring his first International goal. The Swiss would take the lead twenty minutes into the second half through Eren Derdiyok, and a minute later Margairaz would add another to give Switzerland a 3-1 lead to take to Hampden Park next weekend.

On a miserable November night in Glasgow, the Tartan Army would turn up the noise, and then find new levels when Blackburn striker Steven Fletcher scored on a quarter of an hour, and Everton's forward John Fleck added another before the half hour mark to level up things overall, but only briefly as Derdiyok scored before the break to give Switzerland their aggregate lead back before half time. But Fleck scored again just after the hour mark, and a tense finish would see this one go right through Extra Time and all the way to penalties. And the hero in that shoot-out would be Aston Villa goalkeeper Allan McGregor, who saved two penalties and saw another one crash off the post, while the Scots scored all three of their spot kicks, and the Tartan Army are heading to Spain!
Qualified :- Scotland
Out :- Switzerland

Turkey v Romania

The final Playoff tie, and Istanbul would host a highly entertaining First Leg that would see Napoli striker Denis Alibec give Romania the lead, only to then see Real Madrid hotshot Melvüt Erdinç level the game just after the half hour mark. Romania would quickly re-establish their advantage however, taking the lead for a second time via Chelsea winger Râzvan Ochirosii just two minutes later! The Turkish fans would not go home too disappointed though, as it was Juventus winger Sedat Bakirci who scored his first ever International goal midway through the second half to make sure the spoils were shared, and leaving a very interesting Second Leg ahead in Bucharest.

Unfortunately for Romania and their fans, their effort in Istanbul would go to waste as it was Turkey who took the upper hand in the first half of this return leg. Experienced attacking midfielder Arda Turan of AC Milan had Turkey in front in the thirteenth minute, and they padded their first lead of the tie in the 27th minute via Galatasaray's midfielder Baris Memis. There would be no response from the Romanians here, and the last place at Euro 2016 would go to Turkey, and the lineup for the Finals in Spain is now complete.
Qualified :- Turkey
Out :- Romania

[neilhoskins77]

UEFA 2016 European Championships Review (continued)
The Finals
Group Stages

Group A (Bulgaria, Germany, Slovenia, Spain)
Hosts Spain and Germany the 1996 winners were clear favourites to move out of Group A and into the Quarter-Finals, but things are never straightforward in Major Finals. Things started well for the two favourites, Germany thumping Slovenia 4-0 at the home of Espanyol, before in Madrid all the goals came in the first half as Spain squeezed by Bulgaria 2-1. In the second round of games Slovenia won the battle of the underdogs before in the main event of the group goals near the end of each half from Juan Manuel Mata of Real Madrid gave Spain the driving seat in Group A. The hosts and one of the favourites for the Tournament completed a 100% opening stage against Slovenia, but they had to come from behind to do so. Aberdeen forward Nejc Pecnik scored twice to put Slovenia ahead and give them a shot at going through after Bojan had the Spanish ahead from the penalty spot. But a second half own goal and a Cesc Fàbregas goal would send the Slovenians home, to the relief of the Germans who would have gone out after they lost 2-1 at the Camp Nou to Bulgaria. In the stadium where he makes his living during a second spell at the club, Mario Gómez pulled a goal back for Germany in the second half after they shipped two first half goals, and they only scraped through into the last eight thanks to Spain's win.
(Q) Spain 9 points, (Q) Germany 3 points, Bulgaria (3 points), Slovenia (3 points)

Group B (Croatia, Holland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland)
Scotland and Eire are drawn together and face an uphill task against two of Europe's better nations, including Holland, the 1988 winners and current World Champions. A draw between the two to open their campaigns hardly helped their prospects, Scotland scoring twice in as many minutes to take a commanding lead through John Fleck and Steven Fletcher. But Aidan McGeady pulled one back quickly, and with just over ten minutes to play Sean Scannell found an equaliser. There's a pair of Irish players who won't be too popular in Scotland next season with their Celtic and Mothrwell clubs! Later in the day a Robin van Persie double had Holland ahead inside the opening quarter against Croatia, and while Eduardo got one back, a red card for Darijo Srna left the Dutch top of the group after the opening round of games. In their next game, the Dutch would get themselves involved in one of the the European Championships all time classic games against the Republic. At the Bernabéu, a goal from Real forward Arjen Robben had Holland in front, before three goals in a quarter of an hour spell around the break had the Irish in absolute dreamland, Andrew Keogh and Kevin Doyle scoring before the break, and Doyle finding the net again after the restart. But the Oranje would find a way, and net three times in quarter of an hour themselves inside the final twenty minutes through Georginio Wijnaldum of Manchester United, Robin van Persie and finally Ryan Babel of West Ham. An unbelievable game! By comparison, The Scots game with Croatia in Sevilla was an absolute snoozefest, though for a long time it looked like Scotland would get something out of this match. Then midway through the second half Schalke forward Marko Dinjar found the net and George Burley's boys would now need to beat the Dutch to qualify for the last eight. And they so very nearly did. Fletcher had the Scots ahead before half time, and they held out until the 90th minute, when Fulham's veteran striker Dirk Kuyt bundled the ball home from close range, which combined with Croatia's 2-0 win over the Irish in Madrid meant early exits for the Tartan and Green Army's.
(Q) Holland (7 points), (Q) Croatia (6 points), Scotland (2 points), Republic of Ireland (1 point)

Group C (France, Greece, Portugal, Russia)
In their former guise as the Soviet Union, the Russians were the first ever winners of the Euros in 1960 and played in the 1964 Final as well, while France were the 1984 and 2000 winners. The closest the Portuguese ever came was in 2004 when as hosts they lost to the Greeks in the Final in one of football's biggest shock stories. There is a lot of history in this Group, and now they would write some more between them. Cristiano Ronaldo's hopes of finally ending Portugal's forever wait for a Major Crown looked blown apart very early on when they were thumped 3-0 by Russia in Madrid. Meanwhile in Barcelona it looked for an hour like France were about to suffer a Greek Tragedy when Dimitris Giantsis scored. It took two goals in the last five minutes to turn things around Yoan Gouffran of Manchester United and Samir Nasri of Arsenal bailing France out. That made the France v Russia encounter very interesting, Mamadou Sahko put France ahead, before the Alexandr's, Stavpets and Kerzhakov scored within ten minutes to have Russia in front, Roma striker Karim Benzema squaring things up once and for all late on! In Valencia the Greeks took the lead once more as they faced Portugal, but just like their game against the French they couldn't hold on. Antonis Petropoulos had scored with just six minutes gone, but Ronaldo's 51st International goal and a pair from Helder Postiga setup a huge game for Portugal with France with the winner guaranteed a spot in the last eight. That winner would be Portugal, who took a 1-0 win in that game to cement their progress. The goal came from Mallorca striker Diego Costa in the Vicente Calderón Stadium that he used to star in for Atlético Madrid, and the Brazilian born striker became eligible for Portugal after his time with Sporting Lisbon and Marítimo. So France are out, and Russia win the section with a win over Greece who finish without a point. Once more the goals come from the Alexandr's, this time Prudnikov and Kerzhakov.
(Q) Russia (7 points), (Q) Portugal (6 points), France (4 points), Greece (0 points)

Group D (England, Italy, Turkey, Ukraine)
England would you'd imagine be relatively happy with this draw as they set out for what they hoped would be their maiden European Championships success. They would be pretty happy with their start too, a 1-1 draw with 1968 winners Italy in Madrid, the opener for the Azurri coming just three minutes in from Riccardo Montolivo, before James Vaughan extended his fabulous scoring record in International football with the equaliser before half time. The other fixture between Turkey and Ukraine also ended a goal apiece, giving no indication of what was to happen a few days later. That was England's tournament being blown apart by Ukraine in a 3-0 defeat that saw Shakhtar forward Eugene Seleznyov score twice with Juventus' striker Olexandr Gladkyi score in between too. With Italy beating Turkey 2-1, the second of a double from Alberto Paloschi of Chelsea coming from the penalty spot in the last ten minutes, England now had to beat Turkey and rely on Ukraine beating Italy rather than try and overturn the Ukrainians superior goal difference. In Sevilla, England would get their win, Theo Walcott and a brace from James Vaughan in the first half with a single reply from Mevlüt Erdinç, before Arda Turan scored for Turkey late on. But thhat wouldn't be enough for the Three Lions, as at the same time Italy would beat Ukraine 2-1 in Madrid, the Azurri coming from behind after Seleznyov had opened the scoring in the first half, Claudio Marchisio levelling on the hour and Daniele De Rossi scoring the winner in the 90th minute. So England go home early, and fifty years on from their World Cup triumph, their wait for another Major Finals victory will continue.
(Q) Italy (7 points), (Q) Ukraine (4 points), England (4 points), Turkey (1 point)

[neilhoskins77]

UEFA 2016 European Championships Review (continued)

Quarter-Finals

If you want a positive of the European Championships being just sixteen nations in the Finals, and therefore right into the Quarter-Finals from the Group Stages and right into the mouthwatering fixtures.

Quarter-Final Saturday sees the hosts up first with Spain facing Croatia in Valencia for a place in the last four. Osasuna full back César Azpilicueta had Spain ahead with just six minutes on the clock, his first goal for his country. But Croatia don't lie down ever, and Darijo Srna had them level before the break. A tight second half was felt right around the 75,000 in the Mestalla, and the game moved into Extra Time. There, a few minutes before half time in Extra Time, a goal from Cesc Fàbregas would finally put Croatia down for good, and the holders and hosts will advance into the Semi-Finals.

Onto the Saturday evening game, where Madrid was the host for Germany versus historical rivals Holland, the current World Champions. There were several players on show who played their football weekly here at the Santiago Bernabéu, and one of them would be the hero on this Saturday night. Germany took the lead as the twenty minute mark approached, Leverkusen right back Daniel Schwaab the man who broke the deadlock. On the hour it would be a Real Madrid player who would find the equaliser for Holland, and a far more regular scorer in the form of striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. But it wouldn't be enough tonight, as his club mate and the other German full back Konstantin Rausch scored a 77th minute winner, and the World Champions are out!

We move onto Sunday and another pair of intriguing games to round off the last eight round. We start in Barcelona and the huge Camp Nou, and an Eastern European matchup between Russia and Ukraine. All the action here would come in the second half, with Schalke striker Alexandr Stavpets opening the scoring in the 68th minute. Ukraine would fire a 75th minute equaliser through Juventus striker Artem Milevskyi to put the match back in the balance. But in the 82nd minute, Stavpets would steer home his second of the night and Russia would hold on to move into the final four to face the Germans.

That left us with one Quarter-Final left to play, with Italy facing off with Portugal in a last eight clash in Sevilla with the winner to face Spain in the Semi-Finals. Every game had been close so far, but not so much this one, which was a surprise in itself. The Italians would blow Portugal away in the opening 35 minutes, with Inter Milan forward Giueseppe Rossi scoring the opener with just two minutes played. That lead would be doubled in the 16th minute when his club mate Riccardo Montolivo would score from the penalty spot. And they would add a third before the break, Chelsea striker Alberto Paloschi with a powerful 35th minute header. How bad had Portugal been in that first half? Well, they substituted Cristiano Ronaldo at the break, and they reorganised to try and find a way back. They actually were far more competitive after the break as Italy sat back to protect their lead, and Portugal would eventually find a way through via Diego Costa. The problem was that the goal came in the 87th minute, too little and too late, and Portugal are going home!

Qualified :- Spain, Germany, Russia, Italy
Out :- Croatia, Holland, Ukraine, Portugal

Semi-Finals

With an extra day of rest and home advantage, Spain were very much the favourites for the opening Semi-Final on a Wednesday evening at the Santiago Bernabéu. But write off Italy at your peril, right? After what would have to be described as a very dour first half, the second half began with a bang. An Alberto Paloschi shaped bang, as the Chelsea forward continued his fine tournament to put Italy ahead. The Azurri immediately sat back, keen to frustrate the Spanish and hold on to their slender lead. Which they did, up until seven minutes from time when Barcelona's veteran midfielder Andrés Iniesta found a way through to square things up. With Italy fully committed to their defensive game plan, there was only winner from here, and with seconds left on the clock Sevilla's defensive midfielder and second half sub Rubén De la Red struck a thunderbolt of a shot into the top corner, and Spain's dream of a hatrick on home soil was very much alive as they booked their place in the Final to the heartbreak of the Italians!

But would they face Germany or Russia on Sunday evening in the showpiece game of the summer? As bad as the first half of the opening Semi-Final was, it wasn't as tedious as this game, which saw just three shots on target in the entire ninety minutes, none of which found the net. Extra Time was even worse, with no shots on target at all in the additional thirty minutes of play as both sides settled for penalty kicks. In a very uncharacteristic moment, Germany missed their opening spot kick when Dortmund forward Lukas Podolski saw his kick saved by Igor Akinfeev, but Russia couldn't hold the advantage, with almost as much of a surprise when Alexandr Kerzhakov felt the pressure and blasted his penalty way over the cross bar. We would move on into Sudden Death, with both sides scoring seven from eight, and we were down to the guys who probably didn't want to take one. Per Mertesacker missed for the Germans, and keeper Akinfeev stepped up for Russia with a chance to put his nation in the Final. But the keeper couldn't beat his opposite number René Adler, and the Leverkusen man stepped right up to show Akinfeev how it's done by sending him the wrong way. The pressure was too much for the clearly nervous CSKA Moscow defender Vasily Berezutskiy, and he fired a very tame shot into a comfortable position for Adler, and Germany would advance to Sunday's Final match!

Qualified :- Spain, Germany
Out :- Italy, Russia

[neilhoskins77]

UEFA 2016 European Championships Review (continued)

The Final

Two of Europe's most successful football nations meet in the Final after already facing each other once in the Group Stages in this tournament. The difference between the two is that Spain's success is all recent as they look to continue their golden period of International Football with a hatrick of straight European Championships success, a period that has also seen them win a World Cup as well. For Germany, there has been just one success since the unification of the nation, coming twenty years ago now at Euro'96. Quarter-Finalists only at the last World Cup left them under pressure to deliver at these Euro's, and after a rough start that almost saw them eliminated at the Group Stage, they have made it to the Final and are aiming to gatecrash the huge party that the Spanish are planning at the Camp Nou, and nationwide.

SPAIN :-
Iker Casillas © (Real Madrid)
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Fernando Pascual (Barcelona), Javier (Barcelona), Iván Marcano (Liverpool),
César Azpilicueta (Osasuna), Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona), Francesc Fàbregas (Arsenal), David Silva (Valencia),
Bojan (Barcelona), Fernando Torres (Liverpool)

Substitutes :- Sergio Assenjo (Sunderland), Juan Manuel Mata (Real Madrid), Rubén De la Red (Sevilla), David Villa (Valencia), Gerard Piqué (Barcelona), José Antonio Reyes (Valencia), Thiago Alcântara (Genoa), Raúl García (Chelsea), David Palacios (Xerez), Raúl Albiol (Valencia), José Manuel Reina (Liverpool)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GERMANY :-
René Adler (Leverkusen)
Philipp Lahm © (Bayern Munich), Robert Huth (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen), Gonzalo Castro (Zaragoza),
Daniel Schwaab (Leverkusen), Lars Bender (SV Hamburg), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Konstantin Rausch (Real Madrid),
Mario Gómez (Barcelona), Lukas Podolski (Dortmund)

Substitutes :- Manuel Neuer (Schalke), Lewis Holtby (Bayern Munich), Deniz Naki (Werder Bremen), Stefan Kießling (Bayern Munich), Christoph Metzelder (Dortmund), Mesut Özil (Werder Bremen), Tobia Weis (Hoffenheim), Marcell Jansen (Wolfsburg), Simon Rolfes (Bayern Munich), Raphael Sorg (Hoffenheim), Tobias Sippel (Newcastle United)

98,000 were in the Camp Nou for this Final, which I can confidently now proclaim the greatest major Final of all time. Fernando Torres had Spain ahead in the 6th minute, but within ten minutes the Germans were level through a Lukas Podolski penalty. From there though, it was all Spain, Torres scoring again to have the hosts ahead before half time, and Barcelona pair centre back Fernando Pascual and striker Bojan stretched the lead to 4-1 for Spain with just twenty minutes to play. That final twenty minutes, actually, just the last seven minutes of it, would see one of the most amazing spells of football in history, as Germany scored three goals through Podolski again, and then Marcell Jansen and Simon Rolfes within a minute of each other at the start of injury time. Spain were shellshocked, and Germany had all the momentum. Until the second minute of the Extra Time session, when with penalties being thought about, David Silva waltzed by two defenders into the box and finished into the bottom corner to send the stadium and the nation of Spain into a huge party. It's three in a row, and the golden generation continues!

Winners :- Spain
Runner's-Up :- Germany

Awards

Best Player :- 1st Juan Manuel Mata (Spain), 2nd Alberto Paloschi (Italy), 3rd Bojan (Spain)

Golden Boot :- 1st Eugene Seleznyov (Ukraine - 4 goals), 2nd Alexandr Kerzhakov (Russia - 4 goals), 3rd Alberto Paloschi (Italy - 4 goals)

Goal of the Tournament :- Artem Milevskiy (Ukraine) v Russia

Dream Team :-
Igor Akinfeev (Russia)
Mikhail Bukievskiy (Russia), Fernando Pascual (Spain), Jeffrey Bruma (Holland), Konstantin Rausch (Germany),
Darijo Srna (Croatia), Claudio Marchisio (Italy), Francesc Fàbregas (Spain), Juan Manuel Mata (Spain),
Alberto Paloschi (Italy), Eugene Seleznyov (Ukraine)

[neilhoskins77]

2015/16 Season Review
(*I am happy to accommodate where possible requests for players, teams and leagues to be added/included in the review*)

UK
Northern Ireland
Premier Division
Champions :- Linfield (78 points), Runner's-Up :- Portadown (68 points)
Relegation Playoff :- Crusaders lose 2-1 on aggregate to Ballymena United
Relegated :- Glebe Rangers (33 points)

The biggest shock here was that Linfield recorded a lower points total than last season after ten defeats, despite spending in excess of £2 million on new players for the season, an amount entirely unheard of in the history of Northern Irish football. They were still five wins better off than anybody else however in an otherwise competitive Premier Division that saw Portadown make a fifteen point gain to claim the runner's-up spot, while the team in that position last year Lurgan Celtic would come up 24 points short of last seasons total and end up ninth. That was enough to be safe of relegation though, as Dundela's first ever season in the top tier would be followed by a second, and Glebe Rangers top six finish last season proved to be outside the norm, and their three season run in the top tier was ended. They were joined in the drop by a Crusaders side that have declined for a few seasons now, and lost their Relegation Playoff against Ballymena United.

First Division
Champions :- Coleraine (57 points), Runner's-Up :- Ballymena United (51 points)
Promotion Playoff :- Ballymena United beat Crusaders 2-1 on aggregate
Relegated :- Queens University Belfast (21 points), Armagh City (20 points)

After making their run into form too late to earn a promotion opportunity last season, Coleraine bring their two year absence from the top table of Northern Irish football to an end after becoming First Division Champions this season. But the recent trend for traditional heavyweight teams does continue, as Ballymena United who were beaten in the Playoffs last season, defeated Crusaders over two legs to earn promotion this time around alongside their near neighbours, and brought the four times National Champions down to the second tier. At the other end of the table, Armagh City who comfortably finished last season in mid table in their return to the second tier have this season sank back to the foot of the table and have been relegated. They will be joined in the Second Division by Queens University Belfast who just couldn't put together a run of consistent results to lift themselves clear of danger and above their rivals.

Second Division
Champions :- Oxford United Stars (44 points), Runner's-Up :- Portstewart (43 points)
Relegated :- Ballinamallard United (24 points), Brantwood (21 points)

For the second season in a row it's the bottom level of league football in Northern Ireland that provides the best Title race. Oxford United Stars pinch the Title on the final day of the season, overhauling Portstewart who were held to a home draw while the Stars were claiming a victory. At the same time, Loughall were being held by fourth placed Tobermore United, which meant the point was ultimately enough for Portstewart, who move up into their highest level since this save began. This league saw only fourteen points separate the Champions and the highest place team who weren't relegated. Below them, Ballinamallard United were previously a second tier team in this save, while it's a different story for Brantwood who have seen all this before, this is the third time they have lost their league status during this save.

Northern Irish FA Cup
Glentoran beat Portadown 3-1 at Windsor Park, Belfast

Northern Irish League Cup
Glentoran beat Linfield 2-1 at The Oval, Belfast

Northern Irish Intermediate League Cup
Oxford United Stars beat Tobermore United 2-1 at Windsor Park, Belfast

Northern Irish Intermediate Cup
Coleraine beat Distillery Lisburn 1-0 at Seaview, Belfast

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England
Barclays Premier League
Champions :- Arsenal (82 points), Runner's-Up :- Manchester City (72 points)
Best of the Rest :- Newcastle United (72 points), Liverpool (68 points), Manchester United (67 points)
Relegated :- Nottingham Forest (33 points), West Bromwich Albion (31 points), Wigan Athletic (29 points)
Top Scorers :- Manuel Cardoso (Manchester City - 18 goals), Tomas Necid (Reading - 18 goals), Guillaume Horau (Bolton Wanderers - 18 goals)
Top Average Rating :- Manuel Cardoso (Manchester City - 7.80), Carls Vela (Arsenal - 7.75), Fernando Torres (Liverpool - 7.65)

They have done it again! An almost unbelievable sixth Premier League Title in a row for Arsenal, despite Manchester City spending well in excess of £100 million on new players, but clawing half of that back through players sales of their own. Arsenal were ten points clear of the race for second that saw Manchester City overhaul Newcastle United by virtue of a better goal difference on the last day of the season, while last seasons runner's-up Liverpool are pushed down to fourth spot this year. Steve Bruce survived the full season at Old Trafford as Manchester United improved one spot from sixth up to fifth, though it was a trophyless campaign unless you're inclined to count the Community Shield. The pair that battled out for second spot would also compete in the FA Cup Final, with Manchester City winning that one too. Of the three teams that earned their spot in the top tier last season, one of them would return right back down, Playoff winners Nottingham Forest finishing in 18th spot and join West Bromwich Albion and Wigan Athletic in the drop, as Albion fall out of the Premier League for the first time in this save, while Wigan's latest run in the World's richest league comes to an end after four years.

Coca-Cola Championship
Champions :- Birmingham City (93 points), Runner's-Up :- Ipswich Town (85 points)
Playoff Winners :- Wolverhampton Wanderers (75 points)
Also In The Playoffs :- Plymouth Argyle (84 points), Hull City (76 points), Queens Park Rangers (75 points)
Relegated :- Southend United (45 points), Blackpool (42 points), Burnley (33 points)
Top Scorers :- Leroy Lita (Swansea City - 27 goals), Andrew Keogh (Wolves - 26 goals), Scott McDonald (Plymouth - 25 goals)
Top Average Rating :- Julian Esteban (Portsmouth - 7.42), Andrew Keogh (Wolves - 7.41), Mohammed Abdellaoue (Birmingham - 7.41)

They say it's the hardest Division to get out of, at least by the more desirable route anyway. It's proved once again this year with another fascinating season in the Coca-Cola Championship, as Birmingham City and Ipswich Town rise from seasons marooned in mid-table to promotion back into the big time. Plymouth so nearly caught the Tractor Boys to earn an immediate return to the Premier League. As is so often the way in the Playoffs, they then failed to get the job done in the Playoffs, losing on penalties in the Semi-Finals to Wolves, who only reached the Playoffs themselves thanks to Argyle's last day victory over Preston, but who would go on to Wembley and earn promotion themselves. Leroy Lita was the top goalscorer for the second season in a row at this level after Nottingham Forest elected to let him leave last season and he headed to South Wales and Swansea City. Only one of last seasons promoted clubs will head right back down, automatically promoted Carlisle United won at home to Southampton on the penultimate weekend of the campaign to leap last seasons League One Playoff Winners of Southend United, and the Essex coast club will be back in the third tier last season along with Blackpool who's five season stay in the Championship is over, and also Burnley, who have gone through one new Chairman and no less than five managers in the last 18 months at Turf Moor.

Coca-Cola League One
Champions :- Tranmere Rovers (85 points), Runner's-Up :- Brighton & Hove Albion (78 points)
Playoff Winners :- Coventry City (77 points)
Also In The Playoffs :- Colchester United (75 points), Bristol City (75 points), Gillingham (74 points)
Relegated :- Wrexham (46 points), Accrington Stanley (46 points), Rotherham United (40 points), Huddersfield Town (33 points)
Top Scorers :- Nathan Tyson (Scunthorpe - 28 goals), Steven Gillespie (Doncaster - 28 goals), Robbie Simpson (Tranmere - 25 goals)
Average Rating :- Nicky Maynard (Coventry - 7.38), Robbie Simpson (Tranmere - 7.37), James Brown (Hartlepool - 7.29)

If you were to take away the class of the field in Tranmere Rovers, then League One was the tightest Division in the Football League this season, with just 23 points separating 2nd and 19th places in the end. Brighton confirmed their Runner's-Up spot and automatic promotion to the Championship on a hectic last day that saw Norwich City bundled out of the Playoff picture as a result of their defeat down on the south coast. That allowed Bristol City to sneak into the end of season party themselves, and they made it all the way to the big game at Wembley. But once there they would meet a Coventry City side who came down with them last season and were determined to return at the first opportunity, doing so courtesy of a clinical first half display. At the other end, the relegation battle was all done and dusted three weeks out from the end of the season, and for Huddersfield and Rotherham, a good way before that too as they were cut adrift and never looked like salvaging their third tier status that for Rotherham was only earned last season. Wrexham and last seasons League Two Playoff Winners in Accrington Stanley will join them in being relegated.

Coca-Cola League Two
Champions :- Bradford City (78 points), Runner's-Up -: Exeter City (77 points), Also Promoted :- Wycombe Wanderers (76 points)
Playoff Winners :- Lincoln City (72 points)
Also In The Playoffs :- Darlington (73 points), Port Vale (68 points), Luton Town (67 points)
Relegated :- Notts County (52 points), Brentford (50 points)
Top Scorers :- Adrian Pätulea (Lincoln - 28 goals), Jamie Guy (Hereford - 27 goals), Dennis Oli (Crewe - 25 goals)
Top Average Rating :- Lee Novak (Exeter - 7.31), Tom Craddock (Luton - 7.29), Ben May (Lincoln - 7.26)

It happens season after season now, and while League One may have been the tightest Division overall, it was once more League Two that delivered all the Title Race drama. It was Wycombe Wanderers who lost out, as they were held to a draw down in Bournemouth and were overtaken by Bradford City who were relegated with them last season and claimed the Title, and Exeter City who claimed successive promotions after winning the Blue Square Premier Title last season, reinforcing the feeling that the gap between the bottom tier of the Football League and top level of Non-League football was a small one. All three go up, and will be joined by 5th placed Lincoln City who overturned a First Leg deficit in the Semi-Finals against Port Vale, before going on to defeat Luton Town at Wembley. Rumour has it that Kenilworth Road is not deemed suitable for League One football anyway....! As an example of the competitiveness of this Division, we saw both Crewe Alexandra who were relegated from League One last season, and Bristol Rovers who made the Playoffs in League Two in 2014/15 both fall through the order during the season, and both had to find some form to avoid a late season relegation dogfight. Brentford have fallen through the trap door and lost their Football League status, and they were joined on the last day by Notts County, one of the oldest clubs and original Football League members, who had every chance to overtake Walsall but were defeated at Chesterfield and Meadow Lane will also host Non-League football next season.

Blue Square Premier
Champions :- Rushden & Diamonds (83 points)
Playoff Winners :- Derby County (76 points)
Also In The Playoffs :- Oxford United (80 points), Woking (79 points), Crawley Town (72 points)
Relegated :- Boston United (49 points), Northwich Victoria (44 points), Workington Town (41 points), Barrow (38 points)
Top Scorers :- Ryan Whitehurst (Oxford - 28 goals), Pádraig Amond (Barnet - 24 goals), James Robinson (Woking - 24 goals)
Top Average Rating :- Ryan Whitehurst (Oxford - 7.37), Steve Morison (Stevenage - 7.22), James Lawrie (Derby - 7.16)

No doubt about it, when Derby County were relegated out of the Football League three years ago, there was absolutely an uptick in publicity for the fifth tier of football. That uptick started to wane somewhat this season, ironically the season that Derby finally get back up into League Two. But they had to do that through the Playoffs, as it was Rushden & Diamonds, relegated a season after Derby, who claimed the Title and went up automatically. So Derby would have to go to the Playoffs again, which had not been kind to them in the past, and they had already lost at Wembley in the FA Trophy Final this season against this very same Oxford United that they would meet in the Playoff Final for a place in the Football League. They thumped Woking over two legs, while Oxford did much the same to Crawley. At Wembley, it would require Derby to come from behind, and they got a pair of second half goals from 24 year old striker Jordan Bowery, and finally The Rams would return to League football. It's interesting to note that the form team of the last six weeks of the season were Salisbury City, but they missed the Playoffs on the final day when they were defeated and Crawley claimed a draw that took them into the all important fifth spot. At the other end, it was a bit of a damp squib of a relegation battle, with no real battle taking place as four Northern based clubs all took the drop, which may require some realignment for a few clubs in the sixth tier next season.

Blue Square North
Champions :- Braintree Town (76 points)
Playoff Winners :- Harrogate Town (70 points)
Also In The Playoffs :- Gateshead (76 points), Tamworth (65 points), AFC Telford United (64 points)
Relegated :- Altrincham (49 points), Hayes & Yeading United (48 points), Redditch United (46 points)
Top Scorers :- Theo Llewellyn (Tamworth - 22 goals), Matt Tubbs (Harrogate - 22 goals), Nick Wright (Tamworth - 21 goals)
Top Average Rating :- Matt Tubbs (Harrogate - 7.15), Daniel Powell (Gainsborough - 7.06), Joe Smith (Gainsborough - 7.06)

Blue Square South
Champions :- Billericay Town (84 points)
Playoff Winners :- Bath City (75 points)
Also In The Playoffs :- Basingstoke Town (80 points), Grays Athletic (71 points), Team Bath (69 points)
Relegated :- St Albans City (42 points), Eastleigh (37 points), Eastbourne Borough (34 points)
Top Scorers :- Jack Deeney (Maidstone - 27 goals), Drew Talbot (Grays - 25 goals), Danny Naylor (Dover - 24 goals)
Top Average Rating :- Wesley Thomas (Basingstoke - 7.33), Drew Talbot (7.28), Jack Deeney (Maidstone - 7.11)

FA Cup
Manchester City beat Newcastle United 4-2 at Wembley Stadium, London

League Cup
Arsenal beat Manchester City 2-1 at Wembley Stadium, London

Community Shield
Manchester United beat Arsenal on penalties (1-1 after Extra Time) at Wembley Stadium, London

Johnstone's Paint Trophy
Rotherham United beat Coventry City 2-1 at Wembley Stadium, London

Football Conference League Cup
Dartford beat Stevenage Borough on penalties (2-2 after Extra Time) at Princes Park, Dartford

FA Trophy
Oxford United beat Derby County 2-1 at Wembley Stadium, London

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Scotland

Despite the absence of any organised League football in Scotland, the clubs continue to sign players as they continue to push for Cups and European Football. The clubs are also keeping themselves busy through the pre-season phase of the year with quite high profile Friendlies compared to the opposition they would usually get. What it did mean is that the Cup competitions became the focus across the nation, and the Old Firm clubs were not having things their own way.

Scottish FA Cup
Aberdeen beat Rangers on penalties (2-2 after Extra Time) at Hampden Park, Glasgow

Scottish League Cup
Celtic beat Aberdeen on penalties (2-2 after Extra Time) at Hampden Park, Glasgow

Scottish League Challenge Cup
Dunfermline Athletic beat Dundee 2-0 (after Extra Time) at Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh

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Wales
Premier League
Champions :- Llanelli (75 points), Runner's-Up :- The New Saints (66 points)
Relegated :- Bangor City (31 points), Caersws (21 points)

After missing out on the League Title last season for the first time in five seasons, Llanelli have regained their crown in the Principality this season, and the honour returns to West Wales for the fifth time in six years, and by a significant margin too. This wasn't just a Title run from Llanelli, this was them making a statement. Nine points ahead of TNS, and sixteen ahead of the pack that included a Rhyl side over a dozen points down from last season. They couldn't add a Cup to their League triumph however, beaten in the Final of the Welsh Cup by Newtown, and were left licking their wounds early in the season after being dumped out of the UEFA Europa League in the very first Qualifying Round. There was a new name on the nations Premier Cup, as Prestatyn Town won the first ever top level trophy in their history, but it's difficult to find a supporting argument for a change in the landscape in the footballing valleys.

Welsh FA Cup
Newtown beat Llanelli 2-0 at Penydarren Park, Merthyr Tydfil

Welsh Premier League Cup
Prestatyn Town beat GAP Connah's Quay 2-1 at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

[neilhoskins77]

2015/16 Season Review (continued)

Best of Europe
UEFA Champions League
Arsenal (ENG) beat Real Madrid (SPA) 2-1 (after Extra Time) at the Donbas Arena, Donetsk, Ukraine

UEFA Europa League
Everton (ENG) beat CSKA Moscow (RUS) on penalties (1-1 after Extra Time) at Parc des Princes, Paris, France

UEFA European Super Cup
Valencia (SPA) beat Manchester City (ENG) 2-0 at Stade Louis II, Monte Carlo, Monaco

Belgium
Champions :- Standard Liege (53 points), Runner's-Up :- Club Brugge (39 points)
Top Scorer :- Igor de Camargo (KV Mechelen - 19 goals). Top Average Rating :- Antoine N'Gossan (Standard Liege - 7.47)

France
Champions :- Olympique Lyonnais (73 points), Runner's-Up :- AJ Auxerre (68 points)
Top Scorer :- Walter (Olympique Lyonnais - 23 goals). Top Average Rating :- Flavius Straton (Olymique Marseille - 7.72)

Germany
Champions :- Bayer 04 Leverkusen (77 points), Runner's-Up :- FC Bayern Munich (66 points)
Top Scorer :- Radamel Falcao (VfL Wolfsburg - 19 goals). Top Average Rating :- Alexandr Kerzhakov (FSV Mainz 05 - 7.50)

Holland
Champions :- Ajax Amsterdam (73 points), Runner's-Up :- De Graafschap (65 points)
Top Scorer :- Marko Markovski (Willem II - 25 goals). Top Average Rating :- Ismael Bangoura (Ajax Amsterdam - 7.65)

Italy
Champions :- AC Milan (81 points), Runner's-Up :- AS Roma (67 points)
Top Scorer :- Ingo Hutter (Brescia - 17 goals). Top Average Rating :- Kaká (AC Milan - 7.64)

Portugal
Champions :- Benfica (62 points), Runner's-Up :- FC Porto (60 points)
Top Scorer :- Oscar Cardozo (Benfica - 20 goals). Top Average Rating :- Rafael Sóbis (Benfica - 7.95)

Russia
Champions :- CSKA Moscow (65 points), Runner's-Up :- Spartak Moscow (59 points)
Top Scorer :- John West (CSKA Moscow - 23 goals). Top Average Rating :- John West (CSKA Moscow - 7.79)

Spain
Champions :- Real Madrid (75 points), Runner's-Up :- Valencia (75 points)
Top Scorer :- Rubén Ramos (Getafe CF - 18 goals). Top Average Rating :- Vagner Love (Real Madrid - 7.56)

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Rest of the World
FIFA Club World Championship
Valencia (SPA) beat Boca Juniors (ARG) 3-1 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Kumasi, Ghana

Copa Libertadores
Palmeiras (BRA) beat Racing Club (ARG) 2-1 on aggregate

Copa Sudamericana
Corinthians (BRA) beat Boca Juniors (ARG) on penalties (5-5 on aggregate (after Extra Time))

Asian Champions League
Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) beat Beijing Guo'an (CHN) on penalties (1-1 on aggregate (after Extra Time))

North American Champions League
Club de Universisdad Pumas (MEX) beat Club Deportivo Atlas (MEX) 4-3 on aggregate

OFC Champions League
Auckland City (NZL) beat AS Magenta Nickel (NCL) 3-0 at Stade Olympique, Papeete, French Polynesia

Argentina
Champions :- Boca Juniors (77 points). Runner's-Up :- Rosario Central (74 points)

Australia
Hyundai A-League Regular Season Champions :- Perth Glory. Runner's-Up :- Central Coast Mariners
Hyundai A-League Grand Final Series :- Central Coast Mariners beat Sydney FC 2-1 at Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford

Brazil
Champions :- Internacional (75 points). Runner's-Up :- Grêmio (68 points)

United States of America
Major League Soccer Regular Season Champions :- FC Dallas. Runner's-Up :- Chivas USA
Major League Soccer Final :- New York Red Bulls beat Chivas USA 2-0 (after Extra Time) at the Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Florida

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International

2016 African Cup of Nations :- Hosts :- Senegal. Holders :- Senegal
Final :- Ivory Coast beat Tunisia 1-0 at Stade Léopold Sedar Senghor, Dakar, Senegal
Top Scorer :- Cheick Diabaté (Mali - 5 goals)
Top Average Rating :- Christopher Samba (The Congo - 7.82)

2015 Asian Nations Cup :- Hosts :- China. Holders :- Australia
Final :- China beat South Korea 2-1 (after Extra Time) at Tianjin Olympic Centre Stadium, Tianjin, China
Top Scorer :- Abdul Tabuni (Indonesia - 5 goals)
Top Average Rating :- Bruce Djite (Australia - 7.88)

2016 Oceania Nations Cup :- Hosts :- Fiji. Holders :- New Zealand
Final :- New Zealand beat Solomon Island 1-0 on aggregate
Top Scorer :- Roy Krishna (Fiji - 10 goals)
Top Average Rating :- Roy Krishna (Fiji - 7.94)

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Awards
FIFA World Footballer of the Year
1st :- Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United & Portugal), 2nd :- Francesc Fàbregas (Arsenal & Spain), 3rd :- Karim Benzema (AS Roma & France)

UEFA European Footballer of the Year
1st :- Fernando Torres (Liverpool & Spain), 2nd :- Clément Chantôme (Aston Villa & France), 3rd :- Frances Fàbregas (Arsenal & Spain)

UEFA European Golden Boot
1st :- Walter (Olympique Lyonnais - 23 goals), 2nd :- Adewlae Sunday Amusan (Unirea Urziceni - 28 goals), 3rd :- Flavius Straton (Olympique Marseille - 21 goals)

[neilhoskins77]

Sunday 19th June
A warm early summer day, and at Coleraine we are using this Sunday in mid June to hold our Annual Awards Ceremony. 20 year old Scottish right back Tony Jones is named as the Fans' Player of the Year.

As a result of our promotion for the 2016/17 season, many of our players have seen their contracts adjusted and their wages increased due to clauses containing yearly wage increases, and/or promotion increases. Our share of the Premier Division TV money for the new season amounts to £6,000, which I'm not sure is going to make much of a dent in our costs going forward.

However, despite our appalling financial situation and the increase in contracts, our Board are offering a weekly wage budget of £5,500 to achieve the goal of avoiding immediate relegation back down to the First Division. As of today, the club is spending £3,375 weekly on wages, so there is certainly some room to make improvements, which I'm delighted by.

The fixture list of the new season is released today, and brings us a tricky start, beginning with a trip to Cliftonville, a home game against Newry City, and then a trip to the moneybags Champions of the nation, Linfield.

Today seven of our younger players are no longer young enough to continue with the club on their Youth Contracts, and must be offered new deals or released. Six go, one is offered a contract to remain, 19 year old left winger James Nicholl, who accepts his new contract. One other younger player who saw some First Team action last season is Lee Mooney, who is playing hard ball on an improved contract to stay at the club.

With those lads on their way out of the club, ten new young players arrive at the club in our Summer of 2016 Youth Intake, all local, eight from Coleraine itself and one each from Ballymoney and Limavady. Local striker Martin Jones is considered by the staff to be the best of the bunch, I believe he'll be given a run for his money in the race to play First Team football by defensive midfielder John Harris, left wing back Kevin Malbon and right winger Jimmy Magill (who we will not be calling Saul!).....

Near coastal neighbours Portstewart are no longer an easy option to loan players out to, as the link between the two clubs in cancelled with immediate effect. They see no benefit in holding a link with a Premier Division club that are almost certain to get relegated back to their own level in the near future, is the official reason they have given for the link to be terminated! Wow, that email should be printed and plastered all over the dressing room wall as our motivation for the coming season.

Monday 20th June
New Coaching arrival at the club Marian Cisovsky may have come up trumps very quickly on a recruitment level. He has pointed me in the direction of a young striker from the Czech Republic who left the nation this time last year to head to Cisovsky's homeland of Slovakia, where he had a stormer of a season with a non-League club there. He is now on the search for a new club, and has a lot of offers, and that now includes one from us. With plenty of Transfer Budget to use, I send the youngster the best offer I can afford.

Wednesday 22nd June
Both Northern Irish clubs taking part in the First Qualifying Round of the UEFA Europa League are out, and we haven't even reached July yet. Portadown were handed a very tough draw, and were beaten soundly on aggregate by BATE Borisov of Belarus. However Dungannon will likely be more disappointed after losing 3-0 over two legs to Breiðablik of Iceland.

Thursday 23rd June
17 year old attacking left back Lee Mooney has agreed a new deal today that will see him move on to a part time contract, paying a basic wage, and as requested a bonus for each First Team appearance he makes. Mooney played four times last season in all competitions for us, and a loan move is a distinct possibility if it looks like Mooney won't play regularly for us.

Friday 24th June
With the left side shored up, the right side of the back four is next. 17 year old Graeme Harris was born in Cleator Moor in Cumbria to parents of Northern Irish and Colombian backgrounds. He was moved out to South America as a youngster, and has recently been made the Under-20's Captain of CD La Unión, a Colombian non-League club based in the Western city of Pasto. He has been garnering attention from several clubs, but we managed to get the jump on them all, and Harris will arrive next summer as Colombian players cannot move overseas until they reach the ago of 18. Like Mooney he is also an attack minded full back, and I look forward to seeing if he develops further before arriving in Northern Ireland next summer.

Unfortunately however, the teenage Czech striker has decided not to come to Northern Ireland, and will instead return to his homeland with Slovacko. His name is Milan Parizek, and I will be keeping an eye out for his progress, you can count on that.

Saturday 25th June
Ballymoney United, who finished tenth in the Second Division last season, would like to loan our 18 year old Irish left winger Scott Francis once again for the forthcoming season. They are happy to cover his wages, but they are not happy with my insistence that there is a recall clause in the loan, and quickly withdraw their offer.

Sunday 26th June
Holland has been chosen as the host nation for the 2020 version of the UEFA European Championship Finals.

Monday 27th June
The Squad return from their summer break, and the staff report that all players have returned fit and ready to begin pre-season training, which includes Gambia centre back Ryan Young who returned early from Africa after injury and is now ready to resume training again.

Tuesday 28th June
My search for a right winger that I believe could improve the team has come to an end, and the fans are reported to be very happy with this signing. 32 year old Craig Dobson is a British born Jamaican national and once capped Full International for the 'Reggae Boyz' too. He failed to make the grade at Crystal Palace as a youngster, and immediately started to drop down the Leagues in search of First Team football, leading to spells primarily at Stevenage Borough and Eastleigh. He has spent the last five seasons out in the Caribbean though, playing for Harbour View out in Jamaica and making almost 150 League appearances for them, returning seventeen goals and 27 assists. Available on a Free Transfer, I swoop to bring in his still very good level pace and hope he can help provide the crosses for our strikers to feast on.

Thursday 30th June
The final day of June, and out of the blue I am called in to speak to the see Hugh Wade, the Chairman at Coleraine. Unsure why he would want to see me, I quickly find out it's good news, as Wade thrusts a new contract offer in front of me. Almost double my wages that currently sit at £220 per week, plus a new three year deal to replace my current deal that has a year remaining. 

I negotiate, not too hard, but a little, asking for £500 per week and a four year deal through to June 2020. I get half of that request, with the money pushed up to £500 but the term remaining at three years. I sign on the dotted line, happy that the club have enough faith to not even wait to see how we start the season. Great news all around I'd like to think.

While I'm there, I also ask if we could look at a new feeder club link as well. Wade agrees immediately, even asking if we're searching for one as a place to loan out young players and get signing options, or to send out players we can't get a work permit for. While I'd love to believe we were in a position for the latter, clearly the former is more important right now.

The news broke later in the day that Linfield have lost their manager of almost 20 years, as David Jeffrey leaves the Champions to head south of the border and attempt the task of trying to keep Shamrock Rovers in the Irish Premier Division. Had Wade been made aware that Linfield were considering me as an option, and wanted to tie me down to a new deal before the news broke?

The day ends with another new signing, and more shoring up of the right side of the park. 19 year old James Moore has spent his entire career to date at a club that I'll be renewing hostilities with this season, Lurgan Celtic. He spent four seasons with them, making only nine League appearances. But it's his ability to be able to effectively cover anywhere down the right flank that makes the Lurgan born six footer a very good squad option for us, and he signs a two year deal that will pay him £30 per week. It's interesting to note that on arrival his transfer value immediately leaps to £10,000, far more than expected.

[neilhoskins77]

Friday 1st July 2016
Two in and two out on the day those who signed Bosman deals move over to their new clubs. Let us deal with the departures first, because, well, nobody gives a hoot about them anymore now they no longer play for us. 21 year old hometown attacking midfielder Matthew Dornan has moved to Killymoon Rangers, and the 6'4 left footer will hope for regular First Team football with the third tier side. Also completing his move is 20 year old centre back Robert Donaghy, who is staying around the area after joining First Division club and near neighbours Limavady United.

The incomings are far more important today, and the first is 6'2 Northern Irish Under-19 International goalkeeper Neil Haughey. He played four League games for Portadown in the Premier Division last season, having previously only played once in League football before last season. It's currently up for debate whether he will remain with us this season or go out on loan to get more exposure to First Team football.

The main event for us however is the return to the club of former striker and fan favourite Frank Nouble. The 24 year old Londoner who also holds Ivory Coast nationality wound up in Ulster after five seasons failing to make the grade at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea. A season with Wycombe Wanderers didn't go much better when he failed to find the net in almost a dozen games. In 2012/13 he signed for us at The Showgrounds, playing 69 League games in two seasons and returning 28 goals. He jumped ship in 2014/15 and moved to Cliftonville, scoring another 29 goals in 61 games with them. Now the 6'3 forward is back with us, and the fans are absolutely delighted with the news.

Sunday 3rd July
Premier Division rivals Dundela are fuming. Not just with us, but also with their now former Irish midfielder Lee Ward. The 21 year old has great potential, though he didn't have a particularly good season in 2015/16 as he adjusted to life in the top tier. Dundela didn't offer the Kildare born player a new deal, but were comfortable with the fact that he was going to head to England. Then we popped in at the last minute, offering similar wages on two year deal instead of a one year offer, and Ward arrives at The Showgrounds to boost our midfield options.

Monday 4th July
It wasn't surprise news, but today it became official, as our work permit for 22 year old Moldovan left winger Dumitru Vasilescu has been rejected. You may remember that I attempted to sign the player incorrectly believing that his Romanian second nationality would mean he was able to come to Northern Ireland to play.

Wednesday 6th July
One area of the Squad I haven't addressed with a Senior signing is left back, but today I bring one in. In fact, it is the second time I have signed this played, as 32 year old Michael Haswell signed for my Maidstone United side a couple of years back, and he has remained there ever since. Now he is headed across the water to Coleraine, where he has signed for one season on a nominal amount of money and brings an attacking element that Stewart Devine our current first choice left back doesn't have. Once more the fans are delighted with that piece of business.

Thursday 7th July
We already saw that two of the nations UEFA Europa League entrants were bounced out in the First Qualifying Round. However Glentoran wouldn't enter the competition until the next stage. Unfortunately for them, they received a pretty rough draw in the form of Bulgarian League runner's-up CSKA Sofia, who include 27 year old Welsh International defender Neal Eardley amongst their ranks. Tonight is the Second Leg of the tie, which is already over as a contest after Glentoran were spanked 5-0 in the Bulgarian capital a week ago. They keep the score down to a more respectable 2-0 defeat, not that it really matters. Linfield are now the only Ulster representatives left in European competition in a season that hasn't even really got underway properly yet.

Friday 8th July
20 year old Lurgan Celtic player Dean Jones has been fairly vocal in the sports press about the 'pathetic', his words not mine, contract renewal offer that he received from the club. The former Charlton Athletic youngster was a regular for Celtic in his second season with them last campaign, and with the ability to play in multiple positions which include centre back, centre midfield and the anchor role in between, I step in and offer him a deal, beating Newry City and Institute to his signature. It's a two year deal, and once again we have a very happy fan base with the news, well, briefly anyway. Jones immediately tells the press that while he is delighted to sign for Coleraine, he sees the club as a stepping stone to bigger and better things as he chases his dream of being a superstar. It's seldom a statement that goes over well with the fanbase.

Saturday 9th July
Another young talent joins us today. Like Jones he brings more versatility to our Squad, unlike Jones he hasn't opened his mouth upon arrival. 19 year old Ryan Nelthorpe has spent four years learning his craft at hometown club Derby County, but without managing to make his Senior Debut. Able to play at centre back or centre midfield, the youngster scores off the charts for the physical attributes, while his technical skills are still a little raw. At this level though, Nelthorpe could take a big step forward and show those at Pride Park that they might have got promoted back to the Football League a bit quicker if they had taken a leap of faith on him.

Sunday 10th July
My recruitment has actually gone really well, far better than I had dared to hope, and I think we have certainly made a huge improvement to our options and the depth available to us. I do add another centre back option today in the form of Stuart Murray, a 20 year old once capped at Under-21 Level for Northern Ireland, who returns to the country and the area he hails from, as the former Derry City youngster is a Limavady lad. He has spent the last two seasons in England, firstly with Darlington, and then last season was finished up with Luton Town. We beat several other Premier Division clubs to his signature on a two year deal for the 6'4 right footer who has recently also been a regular of the nations Under-19 side.

Monday 11th July
20 year old Whitton born right back Adam Hendrie adds another level to our full back options. Hendrie does a little bit of everything very well, a compromise between an attacking wing back and full on defensive right back. He has spent his entire Youth years with Ipswich Town, seeing them bounce between the Premier League and Coca-Cola Championship, but never playing a Senior League game for the Tractor Boys. In fact, his only Senior football came in the Blue Square South last season during a short loan spell with Grays Athletic. It's another two year deal that is signed.

Wednesday 13th July
Linfield are now managed by 58 year old Roy Walker, the one who used to managed Crusaders, Glenavon, Portadown, Cliftonville and Dungannon amongst others, and not the Mr Walker of 'Catchphrase' fame. They enter the UEFA Champions League tonight at the First Qualifying Round stage, hosting FK Zeta Golubovci of Montenegro at Windsor Park in the First Leg, and losing 2-1 despite the visitors playing most of the second half with a one man deficit after a midfielder picked up a second booking. With a tough Second Leg trip ahead of them, I don't know if Mr Walker can 'say what he sees', but it looks very much like yet another early exit to me!

Friday 15th July
My attempt to bring in a left winger who would compete with Matty Robson to play on that flank has failed, with the players in question having a change of heart after discussing terms with us, revealing that he would find it too difficult to leave his current club.

That leaves Robson currently as our only Senior left winger as we start pre-season tomorrow with a trip across town to face the club nearest to us, and who we play each year as a result of a link between the clubs to assist Coleraine Crusaders financially by way of hosting an annual Friendly between the clubs each season.

That link has in fact bitten me in the backside today, as the Chairman has used it as an excuse not to create another link today after I requested one at the point of signing the new contract. It's unfortunate, as with a bigger squad now I'll be looking to loan some players out for crucial First Team football.

20 year old Dundee United attacking midfielder Tom Backhouse has today rejected a season long loan spell with us, and the dead ball specialist has instead opted to move to Arbroath on loan until January.

Saturday 16th July

Pre-Season Friendly
Anderson Park, Coleraine
Coleraine Crusaders v Coleraine
Attendance :- 118. Weather :- Gusty, 17c.

The cross town amateur Crusaders provide our first pre-season opposition ahead of the 2016/17 campaign, though I'm sure they imagined their 500 capacity Anderson Park home would be more than just over 20% full for the visit of the team across town that are preparing to return to the Premier Division. Eight new players are due to take some part in this fixture today, with the plan to change the entire side at the break and four would appear in the first half and four more after half time.

As you might expect, we dominated proceedings from the start, Pat McIlroy resisting the urge to shoot himself from the edge of the box and instead playing in Frank Nouble who just missed the top corner after lifting his shot over onrushing keeper Johnny Hooks. Just after fifteen minutes in Tony Jones made a great run down the right and into the box all the way to the byline before sending it back across goal, Matty Robson should have had an easy finish but was leaning back and ballooned the ball well over the bar. We finally made our breakthrough in the 20th minute, Robson sending an inswinging corner deep, and at the far post Nouble met it with a half volley that he kept low and found the net. Only just over a minute later Nouble was at it again, involved in the build up down the left before the ball was switched and Craig Dobson clipped it from the right to the far post where Nouble was again, his header finding the net via the underside of the bar. Before the half hour mark he had completed his hatrick, Dobson was once more the creator as his marker expected him to cross with his right foot, but he cut back and once more lifted it to the far post where Nouble applied the finish with a volley that Hooks got hands to but could only help into the net. He still had time to net one more before the break as well, Stewart Devine sending the ball down the left touchline to Robson and he picked out Nouble at the near post and the same spot where he netted all his goals from, this time taking a touch before slipping the ball between a thoroughly fed up Hooks and his near post.

Any Coleraine fans who had made the effort to see this would no doubt be spreading the word about Nouble, but probably disappointed that he wouldn't emerge for the second half as the planned full team change went ahead. As is often the case, mass substitutions do nothing for the flow of the game, Michael Haswell's corner not quite finding a team mate and Chris Johnston forcing a smart save from Hooks who will have been absolutely delighted to see the back of Nouble. New midfielder Ryan Nelthorpe couldn't resist the chance to shoot when space opened up midway through the half, his effort just missing the top corner. Unfortunately that would be one of his last contributions of note, as he would suffer a knock that meant spare substitute Andy McMillan would replace him with just over ten minutes left to play as the game meandered to his natural end.

Coleraine Crusaders (0) 0
Coleraine (4) 4 - Frank Nouble (20,22,30,40)
Neil Haughey (Gerard Doherty 45); Tony Jones (Adam Hendrie 45), Declan O'Hara (Andy Dickinson 45), Ryan Young (Stuart Murray 45), Stewart Devine (Michael Haswell 45); Lee Ward (Michael McCartney 45), Gavin Whelan © (Ryan Nelthorpe 45 (inj - Andy McMillan 79)); Craig Dobson (Chris Johnston 45), Matty Robson (Stuart Francis 45); Frank Nouble (Stuart Shaw 45), Pat McIlroy (Gerry Nixon 45).
Unused Substitutes :- None
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 40% - 60%. Man of the Match :- Frank Nouble (Coleraine).

That was quite the exhibition of close range finishing from the returning Frank Nouble, who was four out of five from efforts that were all from almost the identical spot in front of goal. Hopefully we will see a lot more of that this season. In other good news, Ryan Nelthorpe suffered no lasting damage and won't miss any game time.

[oche balboa]

Great read as ever Neil. Keep it going 

[neilhoskins77]

On 12/09/2023 at 09:07, oche balboa said:

Great read as ever Neil. Keep it going 

Thanks Oche, much appreciated as always. Fingers crossed for a good return to the top table.

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Sunday 17th July 2016
The groundsman is ready to apply the finishing touches at The Showgrounds ahead of the new campaign. He wants my instructions for the size of the playing surface, which I ask him to make short and wide so we can utilise our wide players and make sure they have plenty of width to send their crosses over.

Monday 18th July
We have another new arrival at the club. Those who have been following this long term save right throughout may remember from my time at Maidstone United the young Northern Irish defensive midfielder Alan Dallas. Signed on a Free Transfer from Killymoon Rangers he was a player I gave chances to, and now I have given him another here at The Showgrounds as he arrives on a Free following the expiry of his contract in England. Now aged 20, Alan has excellent physical attributes, and is still developing the technical side of his game. He signs a three year deal worth just £20 per week to the player, but immediately has a transfer value of £30,000.

Wednesday 20th July
Tomorrow we will play our second pre-season Friendly of our schedule, travelling a little further afield this time to face Ballinamallard United who were relegated out of the Northern Irish League last season. The started their preparation for the new season on Monday evening with a 2-0 victory over third tier side Ballyclare Comrades who were promoted into the Second Division last season along with Moyola Park, who are regularly relegated from that level only to be quickly promoted back up.

It was almost inevitable after defeat in the First Leg at home, but tonight sees Linfield once more take the agonisingly early exit from the UEFA Champions League, this time in the First Qualifying Round, after a 3-0 defeat this evening in Montenegro at the hands of FK Zeta Golubovci. With Linfield spending a lot of money compared to their own earning potential in an attempt to make progress in Europe, this latest failure could well see the Belfast club review their policy of spending big after making little to no impact on Northern Ireland's co-efficient with UEFA despite their comparitively big spending.

Thursday 21st July

Pre-Season Friendly
Ferney Park, Ballinamallard
Ballinamallard United v Coleraine
Attendance :- 71. Weather :- Gusty, 19c.

Our pre-season schedule continues with a trip to newly non-League club Ballinamallard United. Ryan Nelthorpe and Dean Jones replace Lee Ward and Gavin Whelan in the middle of the park, while Andy McMillan comes in up front for Pat McIlroy as well as a change on the substitutes bench too with new arrival Alan Dallas ready to make his first appearance in our colours, which happen to be yellow today.

We received a blow with less than ninety seconds on the clock, as Frank Nouble was involved in a clash of heads that would leave him in no fit state to continue, and Stuart Shaw was summoned from the bench. There was a sense that may just be the start of a bad day at the office as Richard Miller sent a shot at goal off the top of our cross bar. But we would quickly get on top of the game, Andy McMillan sending a shot off target, while Shaw's on target effort was pushed aside by keeper Ryan Young. He would also turn over a Matty Robson shot and gratefully clutch Shaw's close range header. Goalless at half time it would remain.

A full team substitution would take place at the break, with the exception of Shaw who was given ten more minutes having not started himself, before he was then also replaced too. The game was still without a goal at that point, and it would remain so too as Andy Dickinson sent a header from a set piece wide before Pat McIlroy's low shot across goal missed the target in arguably our best chance of the day. Even when United emptied their own bench and brought a series of young players on, we were unable to find a way through, Gerry Nixon sending a curling shot wide of the top corner late on.

Ballinamallard United (0) 0
Coleraine (0) 0
Neil Haughey (Gerard Doherty 45); Tony Jones (Adam Hendrie 45), Declan O'Hara (Andy Dickinson 45), Ryan Young (Stuart Murray 45), Stewart Devine © (Michael Haswell 45); Ryan Nelthorpe (Alan Dallas 45), Dean Jones (Michael McCartney 45); Craig Dobson (Gerry Nixon 45), Matty Robson (Stuart Francis 45); Frank Nouble (inj - Stuart Shaw 3 (Chris Johnston 55)), Andy McMillan (Pat McIlroy 45).
Unused Substitutes :- None
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 41% - 59%. Man of the Match :- Ryan Young (Ballinamallard United).

Lets hope that we're not entirely toothless without Frank Nouble, who has suffered a concussion and will be out for up to a fortnight. Our squad now shows previously unheard of levels of strength in depth, and hopefully the inevitable injury here and there shouldn't cause us huge problems.

Friday 22nd July
That squad depth increases with the arrival of 20 year old English goalkeeper, Liam McLeary. The Crewe born 6'2 shot stopper was released in the summer by his hometown club after four seasons at Gresty Road. He made eleven League appearances for Alexandra during that time, and also played ten times in the Blue Square North last season on a loan spell with AFC Telford United. He rejected an offer from Dagenham & Redbridge to make the move across the Irish Sea, and has signed a two year deal with us, where he will now challenge Neil Haughey and Gerard Doherty for the start in our Premier Division return season.

He is joined later in the day by another new arrival, as we address our lack of options on the left wing. Also twenty years old, speed merchant Dean Britton is a once capped Welsh Under-21 International left winger who can also play in a more narrow role in the centre of the park too. Born on Anglesey, he moved south in 2012 to join Swansea City, and like McLeary spent four seasons with that club. Unlike McLeary, he failed to crack the First Team at the Liberty Stadium with the Coca-Cola Championship club, and was also forced to spend last season on loan looking for First Team action. He spent time with Blue Square Premier outfit Salisbury City. It's a three year deal at The Showgrounds for Britton.

Wednesday 27th July
On the morning of our latest pre-season game, and with a Welsh club paying us a visit, Britton gets a new Welsh team mate too. It's not the first time I've signed John Green. The 6'1 tall 24 year old striker and former Under-19 International arrived in the West of Scotland during my tenure at Ayr United, and then sat in limbo for several seasons when League football was curtailed north of the border. When he did eventually move on last summer it would be to Ebbsfleet United of the Blue Square Premier, averaging just short of a goal every three games in his twenty four league appearances. The Bridgend born striker spent his early career in the United States. His contract is for two years, and he will face stiff competition for game time, but has declared himself delighted to be given the opportunity to prove himself. He is available for tonights visit of Wrexham.

Pre-Season Friendly
The Showgrounds, Coleraine
Coleraine v Wrexham
Attendance :- 430. Weather :- Dry, 22c.

The highlight of our pre-season schedule as we welcome Wrexham to The Showgrounds as they make the short hop across the Irish Sea and to Ulster's north coast. After being relegated from the third tier in the Spring, our guests have new owners that have brought in several new players including young American keeper Harry Millington who was brought in from Motherwell and Northern Irish International left back Tony Capaldi who arrives on a Free Transfer from Rochdale. For ourselves, Liam McLeary starts in goal, Lee Ward and Gavin Whelan return in the midfield, while Stuart Shaw replaces the injured Frank Nouble up front. There are places on the bench for new arrivals Liam Britton and John Green.

Tony Capaldi nearly celebrated his return to Northern Ireland with a goal, he would have got on the end of a header back across goal were it not for the close attention of Tony Jones. We would lose Declan O'Hara to an injury before the 20th minute, with Stuart Murray coming on his place, and shortly after Stewart Devine struck a free kick wide of the mark in what would be a rare foray up the park for us. Instead we would fall behind in the 27th minute, Andrea Mutombo sent an angled through ball to Daniel Galbraith at the edge of the box, and as he twisted and turned to earn a yard of space, his shot deflected off Ryan Young and left Liam McLeary flat footed and helpless to prevent Wrexham from taking the lead. Our attempt at an immediate response failed, as Andy McMillan first forced a routine save from Harry Millington with a somewhat weak shot, and then the same player sent an arguably better chance high and wide of the goal frame.

Still a goal behind at the break, and with another game in forty eight hours, I made only three changes at half time, though that was quickly made into four when Stuart Shaw was injured just over five minutes after the restart. We were starting to cause our guests some trouble however, Jones getting past Galbraith and into the box but unable to pick out a team mate with his cut back from the byline. Then Dobson's through ball found half time sub John Green, his shot beating Millington but crashing back off the underside of the cross bar. Encouraged, I emptied my substitutes bench in the hope fresh legs would find a way through. And they did, short passing found us with an advantage on the right, and as Wrexham stretched back across the park to reorganise, Adam Hendrie sent in a beautiful deep cross to the far side of the box, and Dean Britton was far too quick off the mark for the watching defender who could do nothing as the North Wales born winger sent his sidefooted volley beyond Millington's dive to draw us level. Either side could still have won it, Dave Rugg's low half volley from a knock down was stopped by the legs of now in goal Neil Haughey, before at the other end right at the end of injury time, Michael Haswell swung a free kick into the box that Chris Johnston connected with, only to see blocked by a red shirted defender. An entertaining game that finishes all square.

Coleraine (0) 1 - Dean Britton (75)
Wrexham (1) 1 - Ryan Young (27 og)
Liam McLeary (Neil Haughey 68); Tony Jones (Adam Hendrie 68), Declan O'Hara (inj - Stuart Murray 18), Ryan Young (Andy Dickinson 68), Stewart Devine (Michael Haswell 68); Lee Ward (Ryan Nelthorpe 45), Gavin Whelan © (Alan Dallas 68); Craig Dobson (Chris Johnston 68), Matty Robson (Dean Britton (45); Stuart Shaw (inj - Gerry Nixon 52), Andy McMillan (John Green 45).
Unused Substitutes :- Pat McIlroy.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 48% - 52%. Man of the Match :- Dean Britton (Coleraine).

It's a shame there was such a low turnout to watch that game, as we actually matched up quite well with a team that have just dropped out of the third tier across the water and are certainly looking to move right back up out of League Two next season.

As can often be the case when players are looking to gain match fitness, injuries are an issue. Declan O'Hara is fine, but Stuart Shaw is not. The 23 year old Scottish striker will be sidelined for up to six weeks after pulling his hamstring early in the second half. With such depth, it's bad news for him, but also for us with him being such a reliable source of goals since joining us.

We have a pair of domestic away games to round off our pre-season schedule, heading first to Second Divison side Larne on Friday evening, before finishing off against their division rivals Ballymoney United next week. After that, we'll be right into Premier Division action for the first time in over two years, and my first time at the top tier of any nation since my career started almost ten years ago now.

[neilhoskins77]

Friday 28th July 2016
Larne provide us with the opposition tonight in our penultimate pre-season game of the schedule at their Inver Park ground. A mid table team last season in the third tier, they have already hosted Cliftonville in the last week or so as they prepare for a season where they are not considered to be amongst the front runners for promotion from the Second Division.

And we know how they feel. Sky Bet today release the Title Odds for the 2016/17 season, and they predict something considerably less than a warm welcome for us on our return to the Premier Division. With Linfield the Even money favourites, and Portadown and Glentoran right behind them, we are priced as the 50/1 rank outsiders. Yep, the bookmakers have us predicted to be bottom of the table and right back down to the second tier. Let's hope they've badly underestimated us, or it's going to be a pretty long campaign.

Pre-Season Friendly
Inver Park, Larne
Larne v Coleraine
Attendance :- 80. Weather :- Dry, 14c.

This time next week it'll be new football season eve, but before then we have this fixture and a midweek away day against Ballymoney United to negotiate as we complete our preparations. Gerry Nixon comes in for the injured Stuart Shaw in the only change to the starting lineup from the draw with Wrexham last time out, his spot on the bench taken by Keith Steenson today.

Our hosts showed immediately that they are very comfortable in possession of the ball, and we were chasing shadows early on. In the sixth minute Jason McShane held the ball up in our half, before spreading it out to the right for John Alexander to move on to, and he progressed forward before picking out Daryl Taylor who had drifted off the back of our defence at the far post, and gleefully sidefooted home from ten yards out as Liam McLeary tried and failed to get back across his goalmouth. I was thoroughly unimpressed with my players, and that feeling didn't change as we moved through the first half, as we were very much second best and took half an hour to produce a chance of any description, Stewart Devine lifting a free kick from the right towards the far post, where opposite full back Tony Jones couldn't keep his header down to cause Jeremy Ferdinand in goal any issues. Half time, and we were still a goal behind.

I was far more annoyed than I needed to be for a Friendly game, but it's been a long time since I've seen such a lacklustre outing. A full team change was made, and I made sure everyone knew that I expected a much improved performance in the second half. The improvement would be minimal however. We did at least start to get some efforts at goal, Ryan Nelthorpe's corner was cleared, then helped back into the box before Nelthorpe tried to beat the keeper at his near post, but he got down to make a smart low stop. So we finally had a shot on target, but it had taken nearly an hour, and Larne were certainly not particularly concerned by anything we were trying to do, in fact had it not been for John Alexander committing a foul they may have had a second goal themselves shortly after during a goalmouth scramble. Michael Haswell missed the target narrowly with a curling left footed free kick as we tried to get something going, Pat McIlroy drilling a low shot on the turn just wide of the far post after rolling his marker following better work down the right from Chris Johnston. At the other end Matthew Thompson only just missed the target from the edge of the box after decent build up play as the game ended with Larne still looking the better side, and thoroughly deserving their win in this one.

Larne (1) 1 - Daryl Taylor (6)
Coleraine (0) 0
Liam McLeary (Neil Haughey 45); Tony Jones (Adam Hendrie 68), Declan O'Hara (Stuart Murray 45), Ryan Young (Andy Dickinson 45), Stewart Devine (Michael Haswell 45); Lee Ward (Ryan Nelthorpe 45), Gavin Whelan © (Keith Steenson 45); Craig Dobson (Chris Johnston 45), Matty Robson (Dean Britton (45); Gerry Nixon (John Green 45), Andy McMillan (Pat McIlroy 45).
Unused Substitutes :- Alan Dallas.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 39% - 61%. Man of the Match :- Daryl Taylor (Larne).

Twenty percent more of the possession against a team two tiers below us, and just one single shot on target from a defensive midfielder. That is not a good look, and will not concern any of the teams in the Premier Division. We need to be a lot better than that, and I made sure everyone in the room knew how annoyed I was with that effort this evening. It was a pretty quiet one hour trip on the bus back up towards the northern coast.

Wednesday 3rd August
While the early stages of the UEFA Champions League are being contested across the continent, we are heading to another third tier club to complete our pre-season schedule. Our season begins for real this weekend, and we don't look particularly well prepared for it. Hopefully we can find our feet as we face another short trip this evening, this time taking the less than ten mile trip down the road to face Ballymoney United at their 2,000 capacity Riada Stadium, a club who only preserved their Second Division status on the final day of last season.

Pre-Season Friendly
Riada Stadium, Ballymoney
Ballymoney United v Coleraine
Attendance :- 115. Weather :- Dry, 26c.

Ryan Nelthorpe replaces Lee Ward in midfield in the only change to our starting lineup for our final pre-season fixture ahead of the weekends big kick-off. Michael McCartney replaces Keith Steenson amongst the substitutes, where there is also a return for Frank Nouble in place of John Green.

I had a sinking feeling early on when United cut right through us straight from the kick off, Andy Liggett with a short diagonal pass from outside the box into the feet of James McPike, who clipped his shot over the onrushing Liam McLeary, but it cleared the cross bar. Craig Dobson would be played into space in the box as we regrouped, but he couldn't get the ball on his favoured right foot, and missed the target with his weaker left peg. The game descended into a back and forth affair with the teams taking turns to attack, McPike crowded out in the box, before Dobson had a loud penalty shout turned down after weaving his way into the opposite box. Matty Robson failed to get any power on his shot as a long and deep cross found him at the back post, before the deadlock was finally broken. With only two minutes remaining in the half, Mark Campbell found McPike and he got inside his marker and shot from a tight angle, high over McLeary's shoulder and inside the post into the roof of the net!

I was no less annoyed at half time than I had been in Larne, but I limited the changes to six at the break, though our start to the second half seemed to show I had got my point across. A series of early corners were dealt with by the United defence, though the last one saw the ball find it's way to Dobson near the edge of the box, and he smacked a shot off the hosts cross bar. We continued to improve, Ryan Nelthorpe picking out Pat McIlroy, and he spun his marker but couldn't keep his shot down. Just beyond the mid point of the second half, McIlroy tried the same trick, the marker this time getting his foot in front of the shot that sent it spinning wide of the mark. From the resulting corner, Dobson's delivery was slightly too high for Stuart Murray, but McIlroy arrived right behind him and powered his header home to finally square things up. I would bring the rest of my substitutes on a short while later in an attempt to earn a face saving win, but we wouldn't manage to break down United's defence again, and will enter the season in lacklustre form.

Ballymoney United (1) 1 - James McPike (43)
Coleraine (0) 1 - Pat McIlroy (70)
Liam McLeary; Tony Jones (Adam Hendrie 76), Declan O'Hara (Stuart Murray 45), Ryan Young (Andy Dickinson 76), Stewart Devine (Michael Haswell 45); Ryan Nelthorpe (Michael McCartney 76), Gavin Whelan © (Alan Dallas 45); Craig Dobson (Chris Johnston 76), Matty Robson (Dean Britton (45); Gerry Nixon (Frank Nouble 45), Andy McMillan (Pat McIlroy 45).
Unused Substitutes :- Neil Haughey (GK), Lee Ward
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 44% - 56%. Man of the Match :- Mark Campbell (Ballymoney United).

Clearly we are going to be heading into our return campaign in the Premier Division with a real lack of confidence, something we will need to do something about quickly too, as we are going into the season with a difficult couple of games ahead of us, facing Cliftonville away, Newry at home, and then Linfield, the dominant current Champions, away from home in our opening trio of games. We will then host Portadown and my former employers Lurgan Celtic to round out August. By that point, we might have a better idea of how close the bookies and pundits were with their prediction of our relegation favourites status.

[neilhoskins77]

Friday 5th August 2016
New season eve, and we're all set to head to Cliftonville for our return to the Premier Division, and my first ever game as manager of a top tier club. It's been a long time coming! The bookies don't expect us to make a winning return, with Cliftonville the odds on favourites to take the three points on offer in the opening day clash.

Our scout advises that Cliftonville like to play counter attacking football and that wide players will struggle to make an impact on a narrow park. I disregard the last part of the advice, every park in this country would probably be considered as narrow. What we have done to get us to the Premier Division party is worth a shot, and good players will always find space.

Saturday 6th August

Northern Irish Premier Division
Solitude, Belfast
Cliftonville v Coleraine
Attendance :- 486. Weather :- Dry, 19c.

Liam McLeary gets the nod to start the season in goal, with three more debutants joining him in my team selection today. Ryan Nelthorpe and Craig Dobson are joined by Frank Nouble, the striker I'm pinning my hopes on as having the X-Factor to help us stay out of trouble this season. It is certainly a bit of a gamble including him from the start when he has had an injury in pre-season and is a little under cooked ahead of the new campaign.

Immediately from kick off we were given a lesson in being sharper at this level, the ball stolen right from us and Gavin McDowell twisted inside and out to earn space for a shot that debutant keeper Liam McLeary pushed to safety. A rare trek forward saw Gerry Nixon send a dipping shot over the bar, a spell of play that was more notable for Frank Nouble taking a knock that ended his afternoon and made our gamble a quick bust, Nixon had just come on as his replacement. McDowell sent a shot over the bar and Neil Fotheringham powered a header wide as Cliftonville started to gain control, and Fotheringham would quickly get another chance. Ten minutes before the break Harry Baker was sent into space down their right with a ball over the defence, and with time to look at his options, he picked out Fotheringham arriving late between our defenders, and he met the cross with a half volley that he steered beyond McLeary to put the hosts ahead.

A goal behind at the break, I wasn't hugely concerned about the score but more worried about the amount of ball that Cliftonville were having and the dangerous positions they were getting into. I made the decision to funnel us back a little and setup to counter attack, removing wide players Craig Dobson and Matty Robson and bringing on Andy Dickinson to send us to five at the back, and Lee Ward to help clog up the centre of the park and try and give us a foothold there. It failed miserably. Baker received the ball back from Fotheringham and again from the right he whipped in a quick cross this time, sending it all the way to the back post where Tony Jones was caught on his heels as Stephen Connolly arrived to get in front of him and meet the ball with a flying diving header that found the net inside McLeary's near post. That left me feeling pretty deflated, though we did almost hit right back, Nixon managing to hold his run and stay onside for a through ball, but Luke O'Neill got enough of a block on his shot to deflect it onto the base of the upright before it was cleared. Sub midfielder Ward took a late knock on his debut which will need to be checked upon, but unfortunately we were largely second best today on our return to the top table.

Cliftonville (1) 2 - Neil Fotheringham (35), Stephen Connolly (54)
Coleraine (0) 0
Liam McLeary; Tony Jones, Declan O'Hara, Ryan Young, Stewart Devine; Ryan Nelthorpe, Gavin Whelan ©; Craig Dobson (Lee Ward 45 (inj 88), Matty Robson (Andy Dickinson 45); Frank Nouble (inj - Gerry Nixon 16), Andy McMillan.
Unused Substitutes :- Michael Haswell, Dean Britton.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 50% - 50%. Man of the Match :- Stephen Connolly (Cliftonville).

We feared today would be a tough start to the season, and so it proved. We were really pulled apart for large sections of the game, and while Cliftonville are not a club we expect to be battling in the lower part of the table, we will need to be far more competitive and showing an ability to take points, which never looked likely today.

Frank Nouble is okay, apart from possibly being made of glass. But another new arrival Lee Ward has suffered a groin strain, and he will sit out the next month or so of action. In good news however, our third League game, scheduled for ten days from now away to Linfield has been postponed due to them having a Cup game. That game has been rescheduled for Thursday 1st September, and means that we will now round out August with three successive home League games, and we have to take some points from them. We'll start that run with Newry City at home next Saturday.

Friday 12th August
A significantly improved attendance from last seasons figures is expected tomorrow afternoon at The Showgrounds as we make our home return to top flight football. While the bookies are making Newry City the favourites for the game, there is a quiet confidence at the club that we can earn a result against a team we have generally split success with over the course of the save, nine wins apiece from twenty contests. But we won the last one and the only time we've faced them during my tenure, a Northern Irish Cup victory last season. I will be making some changes for this game too.

Local rivals and First Division side Limavady United have asked to take young left winger Scott Francis on loan for the season. I've agreed in principle, on the basis that Francis can be recalled should we feel we need him. 18 year old Scott spent last season on loan in the third tier with Ballymoney United, so the move would represent a step up for him this season. He played 26 League games for them, returning two goals and eight assists.

Saturday 13th August

Northern Irish Premier Division
The Showgrounds, Coleraine
Coleraine v Newry City
Attendance :- 456. Weather :- Dry, 28c.

It's a beautiful warm day near the north coast of Ulster as we welcome a healthy crowd for our home return to Premier Division football. Four changes are made to the starting lineup as Michael Haswell replaces Stewart Devine at left back, Dean Britton comes in on the left wing in place of Matty Robson, and the striker pairing is also changed as Pat McIlroy and John Green are partnered together in place of Andy McMillan and Frank Nouble. The latter is on the bench along with Robson, while there are potential club debutants with Dean Jones and Alan Dallas also named amongst the substitute options.

Those changes helped us get off to a flying start. In the seventh minute Gavin Whelan played the ball around the corner to set Craig Dobson off in space down the right, and he beat Richard Keegan before sending in a cross that was aimed for John Green, but never reached him as Harry Morris panicked on the edge of his own six yard box and headed the ball only to see it loop over his own keeper Darren Hardman and hand us the lead. Just under ten minutes later and we struck again, Whelan with an inswinging corner that Green couldn't quite connect with, but Pat McIlroy did, just getting enough on the header to divert it away from the defenders and into the far corner! We were flying, but City went into an attacking setup to try and get back into it, Graeme Eaglesham lucky to escape a booking after chasing the referee down the park when he believed Ryan Young had tripped him in the penalty box. A lot of the good work we were doing was going through Dobson, but Michael Haswell and Dean Britton on debut were linking nicely down the left too, and Haswell made an overlapping run that then produced a superb cross, McIlroy arriving unmarked but failing to keep his header down when it was easier to score than miss! But ten minutes before the break a third goal would duly arrive, Dobson overhitting his cross that was aimed at Britton, but watched on as it flew over Hardman's head, hit the far post and then rolled behind the keeper and in off the inside of the other post. An absolute fluke, but we'll take it for a three nil half time advantage.

I begged my players to keep the tempo high and not let the performance level drop after the break, and while City came out fired up, Eaglsham's looping header off the bar was all they produced from a series of corners that Liam McLeary largely dealt with comfortably. Dobson produced an outrageous piece of skill to move away from three players after receiving the ball in an unenviable position and won us a free kick when Chris Mills kicked him out of pure frustration. They were creeping back into the game though, Richard Clarke thumping a shot from range that smashed back off the bar before being claimed from the air by McLeary. Our luck ran out though in the 63rd minute when Clarke sent in a corner not unlike Whelan's earlier, Richard Street was being manhandled by both Ryan Nelthorpe and Declan O'Hara, managing to get his head to the ball from a yard out and knock it over the line to keep the game alive as a contest. I changed my midfield pairing and introduced Frank Nouble with around a quarter of an hour left as we looked to close things up, Eaglesham sending a good chance high and wide when Dobson made a rare mistake, but largely opting for deep crosses that McLeary excelled under. Big day for us, as we're off the mark!

Coleraine (3) 3 - Harry Morris (7 og), Pat McIlroy (16), Craig Dobson (35)
Newry City (0) 1 - Richard Street (63)
Liam McLeary; Tony Jones, Declan O'Hara, Ryan Young, Michael Haswell; Ryan Nelthorpe (Alan Dallas 76), Gavin Whelan © (Dean Jones 76); Craig Dobson, Dean Britton; John Green (Frank Nouble 76), Pat McIlroy.
Unused Substitutes :- Andy Dickinson, Matty Robson.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 46% - 54%. Man of the Match :- Craig Dobson (Coleraine).

Absolutely delighted would be my feelings after that performance. It was only one game, but after that Cliftonville outing I was a bit worried that we hadn't done enough to make sure we were going to be competitive. I'm far more optimistic after that one though, and a big shout out for man of the match Craig Dobson who was outstanding today, and capped his performance with his first goal for the club, which I'm sure he'll tell everyone he meant.

With two more home League games to come to close out the month of August, we're hoping to put some more points on the board at The Showgrounds and show we can keep ourselves out of trouble on our return to the top tier of football in Ulster.