Bannsiders move one step closer to European football

Ruaidhrí Higgins marked his managerial debut at Coleraine FC with a 1-0 win over Crusaders, thanks to a first-half goal from Declan McManus.

The Bannsiders had struggled against Crusaders throughout the Premiership season. In their final attempt to secure a win over the north Belfast side, Coleraine came out aggressive and possession-heavy.

It took just three minutes before they pushed forward, with Corey Smith sending a low ball to McManus, who rifled it into the top corner of Jonny Tuffey’s net.

McManus continued to apply pressure with more shots on target, as Jack Scott repeatedly set him up. However, a vigilant Tuffey managed to keep the Bannsiders at bay.

Crusaders had a chance to respond in first-half stoppage time through a Ross Clarke free-kick but were denied as the Coleraine wall stood strong just moments before the half-time whistle.

Mounting their own attack in the second half, Crusaders made it a far more competitive affair in the opening 15 minutes. However, Coleraine’s early momentum carried through after the break.

After Kyle Spence replaced Corey Smith just before the hour mark, Jordan Forsythe committed a heavy challenge, leading to a free-kick taken by captain Jamie Glackin. Unfortunately for the Bannsiders, Philip Lowry was able to head the ball clear and deny a second goal.

Crusaders had come out on top in all five of the sides’ previous meetings this season. However, in the final 20 minutes last night, they struggled to find a breakthrough and were unable to grab an equaliser.

With six minutes of stoppage time added, Coleraine held firm and secured a crucial win, one that brings them a step closer to their much-sought-after short-term goal of European football. Final result: Coleraine 1-0 Crusaders.

Ruaidhrí Higgins spoke after the match about his side’s performance, saying it was exactly what he was looking for: “I think the first-half performance was really top drawer for a lot of it.

“Some of the stuff we played, particularly down the right-hand side, we caused them loads and loads of problems. We got a brilliant goal to settle us and we should have been further in front.

“We showed a different side to us in the second half.“

We showed a bit of grit and fight, stood up and defended resolutely to see the game out.“We had a big chance when we played down the left-hand side and the ball was squared to Declan and that’s what he’s really good at and he’s done it his whole career.

“He scores goals and it would have made things a bit more comfortable for us. But listen, there are different ways to win matches and in the second half we weren’t as good with the ball. We might have been tired ever so slightly but we managed to see it out professionally.

“I think Kyle McClelland and Charles Dunne defended their box brilliantly and big Max Little took a few big crosses,” added Higgins.

Corey Smith, who was instrumental in setting up last night’s goal and “has been out of the picture in recent times,” was also praised by Higgins: “He’s got brilliant, brilliant talent and you saw that in the first half – he was excellent and caused them loads of problems. “He got a bit tired in the second half because of his lack of game time.

“We’ve got really, really talented players here. All they have to do is believe and back themselves because I’m confident with this group and, with a few smart additions, we can be a real force in this league.”

Coleraine’s victory means they will now play at home again this Sunday, with a 2pm kick-off. Following Cliftonville’s 2-0 win over Glentoran last night, it all comes down to one final hurdle for the Bannsiders as they look to secure a spot in the European Conference League.

Looking ahead to Sunday, Ruaidhrí Higgins said: “We’ve given ourselves an opportunity now to go and do that now at home on Sunday afternoon. Let’s see what happens.”