It’s a white Christmas for the Reserves

Johnny Law’s side, who have the Craig Memorial Cup final to look forward to on Boxing Day, dumpedthe Championship One side out of the competition on penalties after a terrific tie at Ballyskeagh.

Lyndon Kane gave Coleraine Reserves the lead, before Stuart Thompson equalised. Former Ards midfielder Jimmy McIlhagga gave the Whites the lead, but Adam Mullan took the game to extra time with a late equaliser.

With no goals in extra-time, Coleraine Reserves won the game on penalties, much to the delight of Law.

“I’m absolutely delighted for the young lads. They were excellent and deserved to win the game. Even Tommy Kincaid said after the match that the better team won,” said Law.

“We beat Newry City in the previous round and we beat Institute in the Craig Memorial Cup, so we knew we were capable of competing against older teams. It’s a great experience for them, as in the Reserve League they’re normally just playing against lads their own age, so games like this are a good learning curve for them.

“There was a strong breeze so it wasn’t the best game you’ll ever see but our lads played really well and deserved the win.”

Law is now looking forward to the Boxing Day clash, but more for the experience it will give his young charges.

“I don’t care if we win the cup, as I’m more interested in developing players for the first team,” he said.

“It will be a great experience for the boys, because it will give them experience of playing in front of a big crowd, which most of them will have never done before. It’s great for them, and after wins over Distillery and Newry, I don’t see why we can’t give Moyola a great game.”