Irish Premiership: Coleraine FC 2-1 Ballymena United FC
Matthew Shevlin scored either side of the break to get Coleraine off to the perfect start in the 2023/24 Irish Premiership.
The hosts fell behind early on, with experienced centre-back Colin Coates nodding in a brilliant header in the 12th minute.
It seemed Coates had already begun to repay new manager Jim Ervin's faith, with Ervin signing the 37-year-old this summer. It began to unravel for the away side, however.
Just over ten minutes later, Shevlin levelled matters. A neat quick corner and ball across the box from Conor McKendry found the striker, and he hammered home in emphatic fashion.
Steven McCullough went close before the break for Ballymena, but it was tied 1-1 at the break.
McKendry had the first chance of the latter period, firing over, before Sean O'Neill pulled off a stunning save minutes later as Ballymena held on.
The pressure told however, and in the 63rd minute, Shevlin had his brace. The industrious McKendry was again the supplier, finding his number nine in space on the back post.
McKendry clipped a post as he continued to threaten, and Coleraine in fact were rather comfortable as they sealed the three points on the opening day of the season.
