United are defeated in North West Cup semi-final

Carson (63mins)

Limavady United (0)

By CLIVE EDGAR

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 ninety minutes.

Despite this defeat United boss Oran Kearney was upbeat about his side's performance in this game.

"On another night we would have won that game by three or four goals to be honest," he said.

"If we had taken our chances we would have been out of sight before half-time.

"I can't the blame the strikers for not scoring in this game and as there were other mistakes in the game.

"There have been other headers missed and the midfielders have been guilty at times too recently."

Although United didn't score the United boss refused to criticise any of his players.

"Tuesday night would have been a great time to score a few goals but it wasn't to be unfortunately.

"The first goal was always going to be massive and maybe a fully fit 'Hutchy' would have taken that chance.

"He did everything right though and credit must go to the 'keeper who stayed big and made a good save.

"It has been a bit frustrating in the last two games were we didn't score but the goals will come again," concluded Kearney.

The game's first chance came in the 2nd 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.

Coleraine: McCormick, Beverland, Harkness, Hegarty, Mukendi, Boyce, Scullion, Watt, Tommons, Harkin, Lowry.

Subs: McVey for Mukendi (36mins), Carson & Brown for Lowry & Tommons (56mins), Millar, Canning (Unused).

Limavady United: Robinson, Walsh, McKeever, McConaghie, McNulty, Patrick, Owens, Spratt, Cooke, Hutchinson, Clarke.

Subs: Roddy for Walsh (32mins), Rodden for Owens (76mins), McCaughan for Clarke (80mins), Anderson & McKenna (Unused).

Referee: David Walker (Ballymoney).

Cautioned: Cooke (81mins)

Sent off: Cooke (87mins).