CLIFTONVILLE BEAT COLERAINE IN COMEBACK FINAL VICTORY

It was a day for the fans to remember as Windsor Park hosted the first League Cup Final in 2 years after last year’s cancellation due to Covid-19.

Cliftonville ultimately emerged victorious but it was a real battle for the cup as Coleraine fought to defend their title.

The game began quite tentatively with both sides having chances but not really dominating the first 45. Poor passing and a cagey affair summed up the first half.

Just as the second half began, Coleraine began to cause Cliftonville more problems, having more opportunities to pressurise the Reds’ defence.

Coleraine’s opener came from a great counter-attack which was finished off by Matthew Shevlin. Stephen Lowry doubled the bannsiders lead with a screamer from inside the box.

It signalled a defining moment in the match when Paddy McLaughlin decided to bring on ever-scoring Joe Gormley to try to save the Reds once again.

Gormley ultimately had a great impact on the result, leaping up to meet a left-sided cross from Ryan Curran to give the Red Army some belief.

Gormley was involved in the equaliser which caused a scramble in the Coleraine 6-yard box with the No.19 hitting the crossbar before Paul O’Neill tapped the ball into the net.

That sent us to extra time. No sooner had it started than Coleraine were down to 10 men. James McLaughlin sent off after lashing out at Chris Curran during a heated interaction following a Cliftonville free kick.

With the extra man advantage Cliftonville took the lead for the first time when Chris Curran’s cut back into the box was met by Paul O’Neill to give him his second of the game.

The fourth goal for the Red’s was probably the easiest finish with Joe Gormley on the end of another Ryan Curran cross when Cliftonville won the ball high in the Coleraine half.

The goal would prove crucial as Coleraine stole a goal through extra-time substitute Curtis Allen two minutes from time.

However, despite the late scare, Cliftonville held on to lift the League Cup to keep their treble hopes alive and extend their winning streak to 8 consecutive games in all competitions.