Dungannon Swifts 0-0 Coleraine
During the first half of the game both the home side and Coleraine failed to produce anything for the large crowd of supporters looking on.
Chances from Curtis Allen and David Scullion for the Bannsiders could have been better, while Terry ‘Choka’ Fitzpatrick drove a shot just wide of the right post.
Just before the break a defensive error between the Coleraine ‘keeper Doherty and defender McNulty should have been punished by Michael Ward, however he failed to convert from six yards out.
Swifts ‘keeper Niall Morgan was on form with two spectacular saves, the better coming up against Stephen Parkhouse, were Morgan launched himself in front of the on coming attacker to block his shot with a superb right foot block, which defender Adam McMinn was on hand to clear from the danger zone.
Coleraines pre season starlet Shane Jennings was the closest to securing 3 points for the Bannsiders when his header in the final 10 minutes of the game rebounded out off the left post. Craig McClean reacted quickest for the home side to ensure his team didn’t fall behind.
Swifts Substitute PJ Lavery pounced onto a bad pass from Coleraine to rifle a ball down the line which Stefan Lavery latched onto after totally out pacing Howard Beverland. After chasing hard to catch up with the young Swifts forward, Beverland launched a tackle, from behind, on S.Lavery and seen RED for his rash challenge with only minutes to go in the game. Dermot McCaffrey sent the resulting free kick just over the cross bar.
Coleraine battled out the last few minutes, after a ‘desperate’ claim for handball in the Dungannon box, referee Raymond Crangle denied all chances of a penalty, awarding a goal kick to Dungannon which was closly followed by the final whistle.
Swifts Team: Niall Morgan, Ryan O’Neill, Craig McClean, Adam McMinn, Terry Fitzpatrick, Michael Funston, Dermot McCaffrey, Stefan Lavery, Johnny Topley, Michael Ward and Darren Murphy.
Used Subs: PJ Lavery (replaced Funston), Shea McGerrigan (replaced Murphy).
Subs not used: Johnny Montgomery, Aidan Forker and Phillip Donnelly.
Coleraine Team: Michael Doherty, Howard Beverland, Damien McNulty, David Ogilby, David Scullion, Stephen Lowry, Curtis Allen, Stephen Parkhouse, Ryan McIlmoyle, Aaron Canning and Darren McCauley.
Used Subs: Leon Knight (replaced Parkhouse), Shane Jennings (replaced McIlmoyle) and Ciaran Clarke (replaced Scullion).
Subs not used: Peter Spratt and Gareth Tommons.
