Carson brace sees Bannsiders home
Thursday, 6 November 2008
Coleraine's Stephen Carson, whose brace set up a 4-2 victory over Carrick Rangers.
COLERAINE strolled into the quarter-finals of the Co-operative Insurance Cup with an 8-4 aggregate success over Carrick Rangers on Tuesday night.
Two goals from winger Stephen Carson helped ease the Bannsiders into the last eight.
Carson may have bagged a brace but it was pint-sized midfielder Alan Ewart who was the headline act at the Showgrounds. The 19-year-old midfielder was in dazzling form as Coleraine came from behind in the second leg to storm into next week's draw, winning 4-1 on the night.
Three second half strikes in six minutes from Carson, Ewart and substitute Richard Gibson left the brave seaside town well beaten.
Diminutive Ewart walked tall with an industrious, skill-laden performance which has left his manager with a serious selection headache ahead of Saturday's league derby against Institute.
Rangers scored first through James Costello on 22 minutes but Stephen Carson equalised within four minutes.
A defensive lapse by the Championship team let Carson in to score on the hour with an angled drive.
Substitute Richard Gibson netted from 25 yards in the 65th minute and Alan Ewart added the fourth soon afterwards.
Coleraine went close again when Tommy McCallion's shot hit the bar late in the game but the damage had already been done.
