Just over a quarter of an hour gone here and the pattern of the game seems well set.

Visitors Coleraine are enjoying the bulk of possession but are coming up against a five strong Cliftonville defence.

When the hosts win the ball back, they look immediately for lone striker Eric McWoods, a willing runner for Jim Magilton's side.

Danny Gibson does well in keeping the move alive for the Gers' just as it looked to be rolling out of play.

He feeds Adam Lecky, who deftly lays the ball off into a dangerous position for Ryan Waide to strike at goal. Lewis MacKinnon reads the danger expertly, diving in with a vital intervention to hook the ball clear before Waide can pull the trigger.

Success Edogun has been a terrific outlet up front for Ballymena thus far.

On several occasions he has got himself into good shooting positions but hasn't yet found the finish to match his endeavours.

James Teelan finds himself with far too much time and space on the wing. His eventual delivery into the box of the home side is decent, but not a single white shirt is near to make a run to meet it.

Ballymena's Patrick McEleney shows neat footwork on the edge of the Crusaders penalty area and then tries to measure his effort into the top corner, but he is narrowly off target.

Straight up the other end and Ben Cushnie once again comes close, but his effort goes over the crossbar.

After a fairly tame opening, the game is beginning to liven up at Clandeboye Park.

Image source, Pacemaker Press

A first sight of goal for Coleraine's leading goalscorer, Joel Cooper.

He lets fly from 25 yards, forcing a full length diving save out of Reds' keeper PJ Morrison.

Adam Brooks has the ball in the net for Crusaders but it's ruled out for an offside earlier in the move.

Half chance for Linfield as Kyle McClean's cross finds Dane McCullough at the back post, but the Blues defender doesn't get a great contact on the ball and Patrick Solis Grogan gathers routinely.

Cliftonville defend the set piece, goalkeeper PJ Morrison earning a free-kick under pressure from Kodi Lyons-Foster.

Jack Scott whips in a dangerous free-kick from wide on the left, finding Danny Gibson in the six-yard area.

The striker meets it well, but with Aaron McCarey rushing to close the angle, his header sails just over the bar.

Neat build-up play earns Coleraine the game's first corner.

Crusaders' first real opening almost produces the opening goal as Ross Clarke's cross from the right is met by the head of Elliot Dunlop.

The Scottish winger believes he has guided his effort into the bottom corner, but it trundles inches wide of the post.

Success Edogun fizzes a shot narrowly over the crossbar.

Ballymena have certainly been in the ascendancy in the opening quarter of an hour.

The visitors send their big men forward for Eamon Fyfe’s wide free-kick, but it’s a wasted trip.

The former Coleraine man’s delivery is overhit and drifts straight into the hands of Nathan Gartside.

An early booking for Cliftonville defender Conor Pepper following a late challenge on Coleraine play maker Jamie Glackin in midfield.

That's one way to mark your 200th Irish League appearance.

Liam Beckett
Sportsound summariser

Give credit to Chris Johns, he was off his line like a flash and blocked it.

Great save and a great opportunity for Bangor to take the lead.

Matthew Clarke's cross from the left finds its way to Calvin McCurry who shoots on the turn, but Crusaders keeper Jonny Tuffey dives to his left to comfortably smother the shot.

Eric McWoods with the first chance of the game after six minutes.

Jonny Addis picks out the Cliftonville striker with a raking long ball out of defence.

McWoods does brilliantly to hold off the challenge of Kodi Lyons-Foster, but is unable to keep his powerful right foot shot under the crossbar.

Paul Heatley looks to pick out Danny Gibson at the back post with a lofted cross, but he gets too much on it and hands possession straight back to Portadown.