Coleraine produced a comeback for the ages on Friday night, overturning a two-goal deficit to beat reigning champions Larne 3-2 in a pulsating Irish League title clash at Inver Park.
Before kick-off, Bannsiders boss Ruaidhri Higgins had refused to talk about “statement victories.” After watching his side snatch a 21-minute turnaround at the home of the champions, he allowed himself to celebrate with the travelling support.
Joel Cooper celebrates the winner at Inver Park (Credits: BBC Sport)
Simpson’s Double Sets Up the Drama
It had all started badly for the visitors. James Simpson’s superb brace gave Larne a 2-0 lead and suggested the champions were cruising toward three big points of their own. But Coleraine’s much-talked-about attack finally exploded into life.
With half an hour remaining, Joel Cooper hammered home after Larne failed to deal with Ben Doherty’s cross. Nine minutes later Doherty was involved again, supplying the ball for Matthew Shevlin to power in a header. Moments after substitute Kevin O’Hara struck the crossbar, Cooper popped up with nine minutes left to fire the winner and spark wild scenes.
Title Race Gets Real
The victory moves Coleraine six points clear of Linfield, who have two games in hand, and 11 clear of Larne, who have played four extra matches thanks to their summer European campaign. It was also Larne’s first league defeat of the season.
The numbers told the story of the turnaround: Larne had conceded just three goals in seven league games before Friday, only to see that tally double in a devastating 21-minute burst. Larne boss Gary Haveron branded his side’s defending “pathetic,” while Cooper called it a “real big statement” win.
Higgins, though, kept one eye on the bigger picture. “Coming from behind at the home of the champions and winning is an even better feeling,” he said. “It’ll give the players real belief going forward.” Coleraine face Crusaders at Seaview on October 24, while Larne have the return fixture at the Showgrounds still to come.
The result is the latest chapter in Coleraine’s remarkable transformation. A change of ownership and a switch to a full-time model have turned the Bannsiders into genuine title contenders, while Larne — winners of three titles in four years — have stepped up to challenge the Irish League’s traditional big hitters.
Earlier this season the two sides played out a flat goalless draw that failed to live up to its billing. Friday night was the opposite: the Irish League at its very best. And with the return fixture still to come at the Showgrounds, the title race is only just getting started.
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Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
