HEAVY COATES

Sunday Mirror, Oct 5, 2008 by MARK McINTOSH

COLIN COATES has told big guns Linfield and Glentoran: "We're coming to get you."

The Crusaders skipper's performance against Cliftonville epitomised everything that has been good about the Hatchetmen this season - pace, power and with more than an eye for a goal.

Coates' strike set the ball rolling yesterday as Stephen Baxter's men won the bragging rights in North Belfast and Cliftonville slumped to another league defeat.

David Rainey and substitute Jordan Owens were also on the scoresheet to take the Crues to the top of the table while Stephen O'Neill bagged a late consolation for the Reds.

"We really don't fear anyone at the minute," said Coates.

"We have more than matched the Big Two this season and now we have beaten Cliftonville but we have to keep it going.

"Our starting XI is as good as any club. Some people will say we don't have a big enough squad but only time will tell.

"This side can be as good as we want to be but for the time being we can't get carried away.

"We are looking at a top-four place but we just have to keep this form going."

The Crues took the lead after six minutes when Coates rose on the edge of the six-yard box to plant a header powerfully past Jon Connolly from Martin Donnelly's corner.

And the Reds barely had time to catch their breath before the home side threatened again.

Stevie Coulter's snapshot was parried by the busy Connolly and Rainey smashed a shot against a post.

But the visitors failed to heed the warning and the Crues deservedly doubled their advantage in the 32nd minutes, Rainey heading home Gareth McKeown's inch-perfect cross.

Cliftonville just couldn't keep up with the in-form Crues, who should have put themselves out of sight three minutes before the interval - but Rainey sliced his shot high and wide after Mark Dickson had dome the spadework.

A half-time dressing down by manager Eddie Patterson obviously did the trick for Cliftonville, who took the game to their hosts after the break.

But that lasted all of 15 minutes, during which Kieron O'Connor and Rory Hamill fluffed halfchances, before normal service was suddenly restored.

The Reds were caught out in the 78th minute by a long ball from the impressive Coutler and Owens raced onto it before shooting across Connolly and into the far corner of the net.

It was a superb finish from the youngster.

O'Neill's late strike from 12 yards did little to impress the visiting fans as Crusaders went marching on.

Manager Baxter could not hide his delight after this thumping derby victory.

"I enjoy watching my team at the moment and it is exciting times at this club," he said.

"This time last year we were beaten 4-0 by Cliftonville but we have worked hard in the past 12 months.

"The players will not get carried away, though - I will make sure their feet stay on the ground.

"We are playing really well and scoring goals but it's early days yet."

STAT ATTACK

CRUSADERS

6 Keenan

7 McKeown

7 McBride

6 Emerson

7 Magowan

8 COATES

7 Coulter

6 Black

7 Dickson

6 Rainey

6 Donnelly

CLIFTONVILLE

7 McMullan

6 R Scannell

6 Johnston

5 Donaghy

5 B Holland

6 M Holland

5 O'Connor

5 Murphy

5 C Scannell

6 Hamill

SUBSTITUTES

Spence 6 (for Emerson) Owens 6 (Donnelly) Boyce 5 (McMullan) Patterson 5 (O'Connor) O'Neill 6 (Hamill)

MANAGERS

8 BAXTER

6 PATTERSON

REFEREE: Alan Black (Antrim) 7

MAN OF THE MATCH

COLIN COATES

Solid at the back, got forward early on to score great header.

Story of the game

5 Shots on Target 4

6 Shots off Target.4

5 Corners 5

12 Fouls Conceded 9

2 Offsides 1

1 Yellow 2

0 Red 0

Possession

57% CRUSADERS

43% CLIFTONVILLE