Coleraine vs Crusaders: Irish Cup Win & Result | Bannsiders 4-0

Coleraine advance to Irish Cup Sixth Round with Dominating 4-0 Victory Over Crusaders

A commanding performance saw Coleraine secure their place in the sixth round of the Irish Cup, defeating a 10-man Crusaders side 4-0 at the Showgrounds. A second-half sending off and a clinical display of attacking football propelled the Bannsiders to a comfortable win.

Early Pressure and a Crucial Save

Despite a shining start from the home side, it was the visiting Crusaders who created the first significant prospect in the opening quarter of the match.A misplaced back pass from Dylan Boyle put teammate Mark Connolly under pressure, allowing crusaders forward Elliott Dunlop to pounce on the loose ball.Dunlop advanced and unleashed a low shot, but Coleraine goalkeeper Ryan Schofield was equal to the task, making a vital save at his near post.

Did you know? – The Irish Cup is the oldest football competition in Ireland, first contested in 1880. Coleraine has won the competition three times, most recently in 2017-18.

Connolly Breaks the Deadlock After Hamilton’s Dismissal

Coleraine finally broke the deadlock just two minutes into the second half, capitalizing on a numerical advantage. Crusaders defender Brendan Hamilton, already cautioned in the first half for a foul on Zane Okoro, received a second yellow card for a similar offense. From the resulting free-kick,Ben Wylie delivered a pinpoint cross,and former Derry City captain Mark Connolly rose highest to powerfully head the ball past goalkeeper Musa Dibaga and into the roof of the net – his first goal for the club.

Patching and Akintunde Extend Coleraine’s Lead

The Bannsiders quickly doubled their advantage just after the hour mark. Will Patching demonstrated exceptional awareness, curling a delightful free-kick from the edge of the penalty area that completely deceived the Crusaders keeper. Two minutes later, James Akintunde rifled home at the second attempt after the Crusaders defense failed to clear their lines, extending Coleraine’s lead to 3-0.

pro tip – Free kicks near the penalty area are often high-percentage scoring opportunities. A well-placed delivery and strong aerial presence, as seen with Connolly’s goal, can be decisive.

Cooper Seals the Victory

Joel Cooper added a fourth goal for Coleraine 11 minutes from the end, racing clear of the Crusaders defense to calmly poke the ball past the keeper. The result solidified a dominant performance from Coleraine, showcasing their attacking prowess and capitalizing on their opponent’s misfortune.

The remaining 15 fifth round ties are scheduled to take place on Saturday.

Why did it end? Coleraine’s superior attacking play and a numerical advantage after Brendan Hamilton’s red card led to a decisive 4-0 victory.
Who was involved? Coleraine defeated Crusaders. Key scorers for Coleraine were Mark Connolly, Will Patching, James Akintunde, and Joel Cooper. Brendan Hamilton was sent off for Crusaders.
What happened? Coleraine advanced to the sixth round of the Irish Cup.
How did it unfold? After a goalless first half, Connolly scored shortly after Hamilton’s dismissal. Patching and Akintunde added two speedy goals, and Cooper sealed the win late in the game.