Boylan goal not enough for Reserves

A YOUNG Coleraine Reserves side entertained Crusaders Reserves on Saturday.

The game, at Coleraine Showgrounds, started off at a fast pace, with the visitors taking the lead after 25 minutes.

Sam Boylan replied for Coleraine ten minutes later, and after that Coleraine should have taken the lead.

Efforts from O'Neill, Moody and Boylan were all foiled by the Crues defence.

The second half belonged to the visitors.

They made it 2-1 early in the half before grabbing their third 10 minutes from time.

"We just didn't come out for the second half, " admitted Reserves boss Aaron Forgrave.

"The first half was even enough. We should maybe have went in at the break two or three up, but that wasn't the case.

"Crusaders are a very physical side, and they get in your face, but we had a very young team, and I was pleased with the work rate."

Aaron introduced a number of Under 16 Academy players on Saturday, as six of his regulars lined out for the Colts.

"Dean Henderson, Dean Murray, Paul Milliken, Josh Roddich and Shea Bradley all played on Saturday, and they didn't let themselves down.

"Milliken had a great game at centre half, it's a great experience for these younger boys to step up and see the difference."

Coleraine Reserves travel to the Oval this Saturday to play Glentoran Seconds.

"It'll be another tough game for us," admitted Aaron. "We've been throwing matches away late on, and this is something we'll have to work on.

"It's difficult as you never have the same team two weeks in a row, but we'll continue to work with the young players and help them progress," said Aaron.

COLERAINE RESERVES: McCormick, Forgrave, MIlliken, Peden, Wilson, Roddich, Moody, Heneghan, Tannahill, O'Neill, Boylan. SUBS: Murray, Henderson, Bradley.

REPORT: Nichola Forgrave