Crusaders head up the North Coast on Saturday to play Coleraine at the Coleraine Showgrounds (3pm) in determined mood and the chance to erase a Semi Final last Tuesday night they felt robbed in. Coleraine are looking to get something from this Sports Direct Premiership game and show that the inconsistent form they are showing can be turned into a winning run.
Declan Caddell will again count the fully fit members of the squad before assessing injuries and the possibility of asking players not fully fit to put their bodies on the line for the Club. Many will still be sore from Tuesday nights extra time and with several coming off limping we again could struggle to field a fully fit team. Jacob Blayney limped off not to return on Tuesday night and may be a doubt along with Josh Williamson who also looked to take a knock. Every player played their part last Tuesday and will be indeed struggling slightly so Kieran Offord could start from the bench and Harry Franklin given the change to lead at the front as Declan as the team are “managed” with injuries. The back five may not change unless anyone is injured while in midfield Philip Lowry and Jordan Forsythe along with Ross Clarke out wide will continue running the engine. Tuesday nights defeat will no doubt give Crusaders a massive push to get back up the Premiership table and prove the way they played in that game is the mark they will play each week going forward.
Manager Dean Shiels will hope that Coleraine can start putting together a run after frustating everyone with patchy form. They have spent a lot so far in the January transfer window but the players involved are all signed on “pre contracts” and have yet to join bar Ronan Doherty. Matthew Shevlin is a man on form in front of goal with 15 for the season in the league while Rhyss Campbell will also need watched with his tally of 7 so far also. If selected Jamie McGonigle and Jamie Glackin could face their club. Dean Shiels will know Crusaders have an indian sign over them of late and will send his side out to stop them once again.
So we go to Colearine with high hopes of a win and we want you with us as always. The team appreciate your support through good and bad times and love to hear your support every week. Go to https://colerainefc.com/ticketing now and buy your ticket and we will see you at the game. C'mon the Crues.