Patching at the double

Coleraine maintained their unbeaten start to life under manager Ruadhri Higgins with an emphatic 4-1 away win over Portadown at Shamrock Park on Saturday.

The victory sees them keep the pressure on league leaders Glentoran who, it just so happens, are the visitors to the Showgrounds on Friday night.

That promises to be a real humdinger between the current top two in the Sports Direct Premiership.

But, that's for another day.

For now, the focus is on another profitable away day.

Following wins on the road at Glenavon and Crusaders it was another tough ask for the Bannsiders at a difficult venue.

But fans needed have worried as the players produced a professional display, the only blemish the concession of a late goal.

As expected, it was a tough battle in the opening 45 minutes but once Will Patching tucked away a penalty on the stroke of half-time there was only ever gonna' be one winner.

And so it proved.

Matthew Shevlin doubled the away side's advantage less than 10 minutes after the restart with a striker's finish after a smart save from Ports' keeper Aaron McCarey and that was that really.

Joel Cooper added a third with a trademark low drive from outside the box midway through the half before Patching added a bit of gloss on proceedings with a fine individual effort five minutes from the end.

James Teelan netted a consolation goal for Niall Currie's side in the closing minutes but it really was academic at that stage.

That's now five wins and a draw from their opening six games for a rejuvenated Coleraine who, on this showing, are going to have a serious say in where the title ends up this season.

Now, minds towards league leaders Glentoran on Friday night.

The advice is - get your tickets early!