Down to the wire in the NIFL between Crusaders and Coleraine

Coleraine 3, Carrick Rangers 2

The Showgrounds, Londonberry

As contested as ever and in this edition of the North Ireland Football League coming to its end and down to the wire between Crusaders and Coleraine. So far, the Bannsiders have returned to the top and now wait for their fate on the league last leg being play on Monday.

With the Danske Bank League of Ireland coming to an end and with a couple of matches being played on a Monday to close this edition, one match will be put a lot of attention when the Crusaders take on Warrenpoint Town FC away.

For sure, the whole of Coleraine County will be paying close attention to this match and cheering for the lads of the Point to play the role of spoilers to the Crues and see their Bannsiders break the dominance of the Hachetmen and Blues always winning the league shield.

As their last match of the campaign playing at home in the Showgrounds, Coleraine delivered a dose of excitement to this match after trailing and seeing themselves a victim of an inspired visiting Carrick Rangers playing like they were on a final.

 With an early lead taken by the Gers on the 37 minute by a shoot y Darren Henderson and the Amber Army left momentarily this Londonberry colossus silent and in shock after seeing the liberties taken by the relegation prone candidates playing the role of spoilers.

Still the comeback the Bannsiders came alive after the second half, and after several missed opportunities in the first half, finally these came alive in the 47 by Josh Carson scoring the equalizer to the joy of their followers.

Another score follow by the locals with an Aaron Burns score in the 58 and putting Coleraine in the driver’s seat with a 2-1 lead but not until the 84 when substitute Michael Smith drove the equalizer in the 84. 

Putting everyone on the edge of its seats despite a minute before what seemed to be the go-ahead and safety goal scored by Josh Carson in the 83 extending the lead to two goals, the visitors sub compromise the game for the locals.

However good defending and taking the pressure put on by the visiting Amber Army that the Coleraine defenders stood their ground and persevere for the win that at the end became a valuable one and putting them at the top. 

With ninety minutes, that separates them from league glory and hoping for a Crusaders loss at Milltown by the Point, but in case of a tie, the tiebreaker will be at the end the one that will decide the champion.

 

Post Contents and Property of Fern Mc Costigan © Copyright All Rights Reserved

Photos Credit and Property of Coleraine FC and INPHO/ Stephen Hamilton 2018

Photos Credit and Property of © 2017 Northern Ireland Football League