Match Report -Coleraine-V-Cliftonville 21.10.00

                 Cliftonville today lost on theyre travels today for the first time this season as they went down 3-1 at the Ballycastle Showgrounds. As Linfield thrashed 5 goals past Omagh Town, the gap has now opened up to 5 points with this slip up.

                   Ian McCoosh opened the scoring after 29 minutes after new boy Paul Beavers pinpoint cross after a sweeping move by the Coleraine defence and midfield which all started with John Devine. Coleraine were one up, but it was not before Damien Davey had a header disallowed after 21 minutes for an infringment on keeper Kevin McKeown. Beaver nearly made it 2-0 before half time as his header crashed off the woodwork, although eight minutes into the second half, the new boy scored his first of the afternoon and for Coleraine as Marty's boys went 2-0 up. Chris Scanell headed in Tommy McCallions' cross to make it 2-1 to give Cliftonville hope of a point or three on the 66 minute mark.

                   Although a comeback appeared possible as last week had shown, John Devine popped up with a 25 yard freekick which flew off the post with 3 minutes left on the clock, to grab his 4th goal of the campaign to see Cliftonville off to make it Coleraine 3 -Cliftonville 1. The 5 minutes of injury-time played by referee John Ferry was played down by a galliant Coleraine side. Coleraine deserved the three points as Cliftonville leave the Bannside, they ponder on what appears to be Linfield showing theyre 'champion prowess' as the gap grows between them and the rest of the table.

                The re-arranged Glentoran game, which was posponed due to a waterlogged Oval pitch, is possibly to be played on Tuesday, but if not, the next League fixture is against North Belfast rivals Crusaders, who earlier we defeated 4-0 at Seaview. Hopefully a repeat performance as we entertain them at Solitude on Saturday.