Coleraine just pulled off a bonkers 3-2 derby win against Ballymena United at the Showgrounds, with Aidan Wilson heading home a winner five minutes from time. This absolute five-goal thriller extends their lead at the top of the Irish Premiership, man. What a rollercoaster, seriously!
Shevlin and Henderson Explode, But the Sky Blues Fight Back Hard
The first half was all Coleraine, no doubt about it. Matthew Shevlin found the net from close range after David Walsh could only parry Jay Henderson’s low cross right to him. Then, Henderson himself, only 32 minutes in, curled a spectacular shot from 35-yards out after a corner wasn’t fully cleared. You’re thinking, “Okay, 2-0 at the break, this is wrapped up,” right? Even manager Ruaidhri Higgins admitted they weren’t “brilliant” even with the lead. But Ballymena wasn’t about to roll over. Within nine minutes of the second half, James Hood cut the lead in half, running onto Chris McKee’s pass and slotting it past Lewis Webb. And then, with just 10 minutes left, McKee kept his cool from the penalty spot after Dylan Boyle handled Sean Murray’s shot. Two-two, baby! It was anyone’s game!
Late Drama and Managers’ Raw Reactions
With the game tied up and the clock winding down, you could feel the tension. But much to the Bannsiders’ relief, Aidan Wilson, who had already headed one home earlier, rose up again. He buried Ben Doherty’s corner, securing the vital 85th-minute winner. Adam Brooks even had a chance to seal it in stoppage time but Walsh blocked his shot. Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins was stoked, calling it a “rollercoaster” and praising the “courage and bravery to go and win the game” after being pegged back. He loved the crowd, too, saying they were “unbelievable.” On the flip side, Ballymena manager Oran Kearney was understandably “disappointing to take nothing from the game.” He saw the character his team showed to get back into it, but that “suck-punch at the end is hard to take.” He’s telling his lads if they keep doing what they’re doing, they’ll be okay.
What a massive statement win for Coleraine to stay on top. They’ve gotta ride this wave of courage and grit. Ballymena, on the other hand, needs to shake off that late heartbreak but keep the character Kearney saw. It’s early season, but these derby wins can set the tone for everything!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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