Another frustrating derby day for the Bannsiders

The Assistant Manager took the reins on Saturday as Oran Kearney had work commitment as the Bannsiders went down 1-0 to the Sky Blues.

Darren Boyce’s second minute header was enough to seal the victory for United.

Coleraine battled hard to get back into the game and should have drawn level before the break, bit had Ian Parkhill’s goal controversially chalked off for offside.

McKendry told Times Sport after the game he felt his side deserved to take something from the game.

“I think we deserved to take something out of that,” he said.

“We got off to an awful start. We had talked about their threat from set pieces and then we concede a goal from the very first corner kick.

“Yeah we had 88 minutes to get back into the game, but it also allowed them to sit in and make it difficult for us to break them down.

“We could have and should have defended the corner better.

“They scored three goals against us from set plays in the Boxing Day game and they’ve done us again today.

“It’s always disappointing to lose a goal from a set piece, but especially from where he headed it from.

“I would like to see the disallowed goal again, I don’t think he was offside, to me it looked like he ran from behind the full back.

“The players don’t think he was offside either. Ian finished it really well and at that time we were well on top and it would have been a big boost to get back on level terms just before the break.

“We had a few good chances on the day, but it’s very bumpy in the box. It’s hard to criticise, when you’re behind in a derby game you sometimes try and force the issue and play impossible balls.

“It’s very frustrating for us to have lost three games to Ballymena this season. You never like to lose a derby game.

“The games this season have been very close and today was no different.”

McKendry was quick to praise his young players though.

“We can still take a lot of positives from the game,” he said.

“I thought Andy Findlay did really well. He didn’t have a lot to do, but what he did do he did well.

“Brad Lyons was super again and Jamie McGonigle showed up really well in what was just his second senior appearance.

“He missed a chance in the first half and maybe dropped his head a wee bit, but the kid is only a teenager and has a lot of football in front of him.

“I thought the players’ attitude was excellent today and I don’t think the manager not being here effected them.

“I couldn’t have asked for any more from them. Everything we talked about we did apart from the corner when we went to sleep.

“We have to move on and learn from it now.

“It’s going to be a very tough game at Dungannon especially down there.”

Fans are reminded the Social Club will host as Quiz Night this Friday night in aid of the John Watt Testimonial fund.

Doors open at 7pm and the cost is £3 per person, everyone welcome.