Carson strike sinks Roesiders

FOR the second year running Coleraine defeated Limavady United in the North West Senior Cup.

This time a solitary Stephen Carson strike was enough to see the Bannsiders into the final were they will play Institute.

United ended the game with only ten men when Niall Cooke received his marching orders for a second yellow card although he can feel hard done by as assistant referee, David Millar, got every decision wrong for the full 90 minutes.

The game's first chance came in the second minute but Darren Boyce's tame shot was easily saved by Robert Robinson.

Coleraine went closer eleven minutes later when David Scullion shaved a post from the angle of the box.

United had a great chance in the 16th minute when ex-Bannsider, Trevor Hutchinson, burst through but Laurence McCormick was equal to his shot.

Paul Owens went close for the Roesiders twice in the space of three minutes. Firstly Stephen Lowry cleared his free-kick off and then he fired another shot wide.

With 28 minutes gone Owens was the provider but Peter Spratt headed his cross over McCormick's bar.

In the 35th minute Limavady probably should have taken the lead. Hutchinson's shot was blocked and while Niall Cooke did well to pick up the loose ball his shot went wide from twelve yards.

Just before the interval Hutchinson had another decent chance. Spratt picked out his run and while he left Howard Beverland chasing shadows, his shot was blocked at the near post.

Coleraine's talisman, Stephen Carson, opened the scoring in the 63rd minute when he burst clear of the United defence before firing into the far corner of Robinson's net.

In the 72nd minute substitute Paul Brown crossed for Carson but this time his shot dropped onto the top of the crossbar.

With four minutes remaining United almost snatched a leveller but Cooke's well struck shot hit the side netting.

Cooke was then sent off for a second yellow card after he appeared to question the assistant referee's decision and can consider himself very unlucky.

Coleraine: McCormick, Beverland, Harkness, Hegarty, Mukendi, Boyce, Scullion, Watt, Tommons, Harkin, Lowry. Subs: McVey for Mukendi (36); Carson & Brown for Lowry & Tommons (56); Millar & Canning (not used).

Limavady United: Robinson, Walsh, McKeever, McConaghie, McNulty, Patrick, Owens, Spratt, Cooke, Hutchinson, Clarke. Subs: Roddy for Walsh (32); Rodden for Owens (76); McCaughan for Clarke (80); Anderson & McKenna (not used).

Referee: David Walker (Ballymoney).

Cautioned: Cooke (81).

Sent off: Cooke (87).