McDaid at the double to end long wait for Bannsiders win

Nov 28, 2020 | Archive

Report by Peter Wilson

Photo: Bill Guiller

Larne ran out 2-0 winners away to Coleraine as Davy McDaid’s first-half brace was enough to secure the Invermen all three points, their first win over the Bannsiders in 16 years.

The result means Larne remain unbeaten in the Danske Bank Premiership this season and after Linfield’s defeat away to Warrenpoint Town, the Inver Reds go top of the table with a one-point lead over the Blues.

Davy McDaid got Larne underway at the Coleraine Showgrounds as the hosts came close early on to going ahead. Stephen Lowry threaded the ball through to Jamie Glackin three minutes in and his lobbed shot was only just wide of the left post, after he broke into the box.

McDaid gave the away side the lead just after 10 minutes when Albert Watson’s long ball up the pitch made its way to the striker, after good work from Ronan Hale, and he unleashed a thunderous strike from the edge of the area that rocketed into the top corner well beyond the reach of Gareth Deane.

Ronan Hale had a great chance on 26 minutes to double Larne’s lead when he placed the ball the wrong side of the left post after Graham Kelly had been sent through by McDaid but was unable to get a shot away.

With six minutes left of the first half, an Aaron Jarvis’ header from Ben Doherty’s free-kick went just wide at the near post.

A minute later McDaid completed his brace. The striker fed the ball to John Herron who showed quick feet, with the ball eventually breaking back to McDaid and the striker dispatched the ball home at a tight angle past Deane.

On 54, minutes, after a Bannsiders corner, Davy McDaid charged down the right flank and sprayed a crossfield pass to Hale who ran in at the back post and unleashed his effort but Deane did well to make the save with his feet.

After 74 minutes, Jamie Glackin sprayed a good ball in from near the left touchline to Eoin Bradley in the box. The Coleraine striker stooped to head straight into Conor Devlin’s hands.

Glackin should have pulled a goal back himself for the Bannsiders two minutes later after James McLaughlin’s effort was parried away by Devlin but the forward could only guide the rebound wide from 12 yards out.

Coleraine: Deane, Kane, Douglas (McLaughlin 19’), Jarvis (Nixon 76’), Doherty, Lowry, Carson, O’Donnell (c), Glackin, Traynor

Subs not used: Gallagher, Wilson, Tweed, Parkhill

Larne: Devlin, Kelly, Watson, Robinson, Herron, Sule, Hale (Donnelly 75’), McDaid, A Mitchell (Scott 75’), Cosgrove, Hughes (c)

Subs not used: C Mitchell, Lynch, Murr, Wade Slater, McMurray

Referee: Andrew Davey

Larne are in action in the County Antrim Shield Final against Glentoran at Seaview on Wednesday 2 December (7.45pm), before they return to the league action on Saturday 5 December against Glenavon at Inver Park (3pm).

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