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Coleraine Match Preview
Uploaded Thursday, 3rd Aug, 2023 at 10:48
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BALLYMENA United travel to the Ballycastle Road to get their league campaign under way this season.
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The last meeting between the sides was in March last season, Coleraine running out 3-1 winners with goals from Jamie Glackin, Conor McKendry and Joshua Carson, United's goal coming from Joshua Kelly.
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Latest results v Coleraine (all league unless stated):
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Coleraine 3-1 Ballymena United, Coleraine Showgronds, 7th March 2023. Att: 2642
Coleraine 2-0 Ballymena United, Coleraine Showgrounds, 26th December 2022. Att: 3747
Ballymena United 2-1 Coleraine, Ballymena Showgrounds, 14th October 2022. Att: 1810
Ballymena United 0-1 Coleraine, Ballymena Showgrounds, 4th October 2022. (BetMcLean League Cup Round 2)
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Coleraine:
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Despite an excellent start to the season last year, Coleraine ended up finishing 6th in the league and missing out on European football thanks to a 2-1 defeat to Cliftonville in the play-off semi-finals.
It was Cliftonville who knocked them out of the Samuel Gelston's Whiskey Irish Cup in the 6th round, the game finishing 2-2 after extra-time but the Belfast side winning 3-1 on penalties.
They did reach the final of the BetMcLean League Cup, Linfield defeating them 2-0.
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Ballymena United:
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A tough season ended with United finishing 9th, a huge 23 points behind 6th placed Coleraine, and 13 behind 7th placed Glenavon, missing out on the European play-offs.
The best chance of silverware was in the Samuel Gelston's Whiskey Irish Cup, where United made the final but were hammered 4-0 by Crusaders.
They were knocked out of the BetMcLean League Cup in the 2nd round by Coleraine, a solitary goal from Conor McKendry enough to secure passage for the Bannsiders.
A week later they suffered defeat to Larne in the quarter-finals of the Toals Co Antrim Shield, again a solitary goal from ex-Sky Blue Albert Watson putting the Inver men through.
It's been a summer of change, manager David Jeffrey MBE leaving the club by mutual consent on 10th May, replaced by ex-Sky Blue Jim Ervin on the last day of May.
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Admission:
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Tickets for Ballymena United supporters are available at Tickets - Ballymena United Fans.
Adult admission costs £13 and concessions are £9.
Entrance/egress:
Ballymena United fans enter via Hillman’s Way (Gate H).
Mini buses can also park at the back ground of the ground using Hillman's Way (Gate H).
Cars can be parked at Vineyard.
No ticket means no entry.
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Match Officials:
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Referee: Tony Clarke. Assistant 1: John Doherty. Assistant 2: Gavin Hegarty. 4th Official: Keith Kennedy.
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Match Information:
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The match kicks off at 7:45pm.
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The first game of the season can bring out suprises and there have been many changes to both squads over the summer, not least United bringing in a new manager. Make your way to the Coleraine Showgrounds and be loud and proud in support of YOUR team as they try to make a positive start to the season - Come On Sky Blues!
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Match Preview by Paul Irwin
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