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Colts Match Reports
Lisburn Distillery Thirds v Crusaders Colts
 
Saturday 1 December 2007 at Ballymacoss Playing Fields
The Harry Cavan Youth Cup - Third Round
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Colts Team: Hull, Murray, McCrory, McCartney (c), Hamilton, Roy, Cosgrove Bell, Montgomery, McGreevy, Rooney
Subs: Kelly, Morrison, Robbins
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Crusaders were under pressure from the start, and after seven minutes young Johnny Hull made a good low save to keep the game level. Two minutes later, however, Distillery did take the lead and the almost immediate response from Scott Cosgrove fizzed wide at the other end. Hull made another important save on twelve minutes and then six minutes later Crues man of the match Michael McCartney almost levelled things with a thunderous free kick from almost half-way up the pitch. Distillery broke through again on twenty minutes and although Hull parried the first shot he couldn’t stop the follow up to make it two nil. Both Cosgrove and Matt Rooney came close with good shots soon after, then amid a good spell for the Crues Ben Roy fired just over - but it was Distillery who got their third goal just before half time and then Crusaders lost Ronnie Hamilton for an overenthusiastic tackle or possible dissent - nobody seemed quite sure.
HALF TIME: Lisburn Distillery Thirds 3 Crusaders Colts 0
After a Roark’s Drift style team talk Crusaders went full throttle after the break, but sadly it was Distillery on the score sheet again three minutes in with a carbon copy of their second goal. Although frustrated the Crues stayed committed, and took some heart from a flying Hull save on fifty minutes. This was followed by a Rooney shot (saved) and Ben Roy’s rasping drive over the bar but the ball didn’t seem to want to go into the net. Carl Morrison replaced Jonathan Montgomery on fifty-five minutes to provide fresh legs in attack and after Rooney had curled a shot over and Hull again made a decent save Gareth Robbins came into midfield for Simon McGreevy. Distillery extended their lead to five soon after and as their last throw of the dice Crusaders brought on Sam Kelly at centre forward. This did make an impact, as Kelly curled a shot just wide out of nothing and then created the Crues’ only goal by curling in a nice corner to McCartney in the six yard box. Further injury misery struck a minute later when Gareth Robbins was injured in a fifty-fifty tackle (ankle) and had to be carried off and the nine man Crues got hit with a final goal from Distillery at the death.  
FINAL SCORE: Lisburn Distillery Thirds 6 Crusaders Colts 1
Crusaders Colts v Ards Colts
 
Saturday 24 November 2007 at Grove Playing Fields

Colts Team: Dempster, Earley, Bryson, McCartney (c), Hamilton, McCartney Cosgrove, Bell, McCrory, Roy, Rooney           Subs: Kelly, McGreevy, Morrison, McAlister, Robbins

Crusaders Colts returned home to the Shore Road and started brightly against a bigger Ards team (or in the case of their 6 foot 9 keeper - VERY big!) getting about the business of scoring early. After just five minutes Matt Rooney slotted in a shot from an incredibly tight angle and first blood was drawn. Ben Roy had a point blank shot saved a few minutes later and in between times big Darren Dempster kept the lead intact with a good low stop. The game got scrappy for a while with no clear cut chances arising, then five minutes before half time the Crues suffered a hammer blow when Dempster was carried off with a serious ankle injury. With no goalkeeper on the bench Jamie Bryson volunteered to go between ‘the sticks’ and Sam Kelly came on to replace him at left back.                                                                                                                                               HALF TIME: Crusaders Colts 1 Ards Colts 0                                                                                                 Crusaders replaced Jason McCartney with Glen McAlister in midfield after the break and only two minutes into the second period Chris McCrory had his low shot grabbed by the Ards keeper. Ards equalised on fifty minutes after Bryson had made a good reaction save but Crusaders went back on the attack and in the space of fifteen minutes Ben Roy created an opening for himself and fired just over the bar, Matt Rooney shot inches wide after a searing diagonal pass from Kelly and Scott Cosgrove skimmed a shot past the other post. The Colts were awarded a penalty on eighty-one minutes for a foul on Rooney but when the man himself stepped up to take it his blistering shot was somehow saved by the giant Ards keeper. Crusaders brought on Simon McGreevy for McCrory to provide fresh legs in attack for the last few minutes but it was Ards who got a goal in the last three minutes after a rare break through the Crues’ defence. Ben Roy almost levelled things at the death but his shot was saved - and on a day when they deserved much more Crusaders one again tasted bitter defeat.                  FINAL SCORE: Crusaders Colts 1 Ards Colts 2

Larne Under 18s v Crusaders Colts
 
Saturday 17 November 2007 at Sandy Bay Playing Fields
 
Colts Team: Dempster, Finlay, Bryson, McCartney (c), Hamilton, McAlister Robbins, Bell, Owens, McCrory, Rooney
Subs: Kelly, McGreevy, Morrison, Earley
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In soaking, freezing conditions the Colts went all guns blazing at Larne as they fought to turn around a run of frustrating results. Chris McCrory had a shot and a header saved in the first twelve minutes before Stephen Finlay slotted in the opening goal after being laid on by the incredible Jordan Owens. It was mostly Crusaders for the next few minutes and after yet another lay off from Owens a grateful Glen McAlister put the Shore Road men two ahead. On the half hour it was the turn of Rooney to make the headlines - Matt Rooney that is! After a foul thirty yards from goal the youngster thundered a free kick round the Larne keeper in what was the goal of the afternoon. When they went on a rare attack Larne did manage to score after a slip up in the Crues defence but before the break McCrory came close to scoring again but his shot was smothered.
HALF TIME: Larne Under 18s 1 Crusaders Colts 3
The half time break seemed to revitalise Larne but it was the Crues who nearly scored again through Rooney, whose shot curled agonizingly past the goal and round the post. Larne broke through to score their second goal in the fifty-third minute then shortly after Crusaders replaced the superb - but tired - Owens with Carl Morrison. A few minutes later young Rooney fired a shot just wide, then a like for like swap was made when Gareth Robbins went off for Dean Earley. On seventy-eight minutes Larne were reduced to ten men when one of their centre backs was dismissed for a head butt and then Crusaders introduced Sam Kelly up front to provide fresh legs and keep the Larne defence busy for the final ten minutes. The Crues had Finlay red carded a minute later due to a clumsy tackle and they might have scored twice more before the end as the busy Kelly turned and shot just wide at the far post and then - after Glen Bell’s magnificent long range effort rebounded off the post Kelly hit a pile driver that the Larne keeper somehow kept out. But in any case the wee Crues were back to winning ways. 
FINAL SCORE: Larne Under 18s 2 Crusaders Colts 3
Limavady United Thirds v Crusaders Colts
 
Saturday 10 November 2007 at Limavady Playing Fields
 
Colts Team: Dempster, Hamilton, McAlinden, McCartney, Murray (c), McCausland, Bell, McAlister, Collingwood, Finlay,McCrory
Subs: Robbins, McGreevy, Morrison, Cosgrove
 
In damp, wintry conditions this game started at a quick pace, with Crusaders forcing their first corner in the opening three minutes and Darren Dempster making a great save at the other end to deny the home side on ten minutes. It was Limavady who drew first blood on twenty-two minutes when a header hit the bar and deflected in but for the rest of the first half most chances fell to the visitors. Darryl McAlinden had a high, looping free kick saved on thirty minutes, Glen McAlister’s low drive was smothered at the near post and the tireless Michael McCartney thundered a shot just past the post five minutes before the break. And the half ended with even more drama as Chris Murray headed just wide from a free kick and Dempster made another quality save at the death. All this while the card-happy referee booked Crusaders players at will while being oddly reluctant to punish Limavady fouls!
HALF TIME: Limavady United Thirds 1 Crusaders Colts 0
In the second half Limavady players became suddenly more fragile and fell over at the slightest touch and Crusaders had to cope with one of the most inept refereeing displays ever seen but they pushed on with their attacking and Chris McCrory forced a save on fifty one minutes. Five minutes later a flying save from Dempster again kept the Crues in the game - but then they were reduced to ten men when Michael Collingwood amazingly seemed to be sent off for being punched in the face - although at least the player who hit him also got a red card. Crusaders brought on Scott Cosgrove after this for Glen McAlister and changed their formation but just a few minutes later Chris Murray was sent off for a second yellow card (badly timed tackle) and it was backs to the wall time. After a bad tackle on eighty minutes Glen Bell went off injured (again no card for the Limavady offender) and was replaced by Gareth Robbins, then Simon McGreevy came on for Darryl McAlinden to
provide more attacking options. Remarkably the nine men of Crusaders did start to take the upper hand - but then more disaster as the referee blew his final whistle a full FIVE MINUTES early and retreated quickly from the pitch. 
FINAL SCORE: Limavady United Thirds 1 Crusaders Colts 0

Report Graeme Walsh

Crusaders Colts v Linfield Rangers

Saturday 3rd November 2007 at Blanchflower 5

Colts Team:

Dempster, Finlay, McCrory, Hamilton, Morrison, D Earley Bell, M McCartney (c), Cosgrove, McGreevy, Collingwood
Subs: McAlister, Montgomery, Murray, Robbins, McAlinden

 
This meeting of old enemies started at a slow pace with both teams assessing each other and putting together passing moves without creating any clear cut scoring chances. Once settled, however, Crusaders were more than a match for Linfield and Glen Bell’s long curling shot was sliced away desperately by a relieved Blues’ defence. Ten minutes later Michael McCartney fired a superb shot just over the bar and soon after Simon McGreevy’s low drive was bound for goal only to be blocked by the Linfield keeper’s legs. At the other end the heroics of Darren Dempster kept the Crues in the game - with two stretching saves (one of which was the best of the game).
HALF TIME: Crusaders Colts 0 Linfield Rangers 0
Dempster made another great save just after the break but ten minutes into the half Linfield took the lead thanks to a shot that ricocheted off the bottom of the crossbar and over the line. It was backs to the wall time for the Cruesand they introduced Jonathan Montgomery for Simon McGreevy, but despite their best efforts Linfield went two up on sixty six minutes after a possibly off side player took on Dempster one to one and slotted home. The away team extended their lead six minutes later with a half volley from twenty yards and with less than ten minutes to go the Blues were awarded a penalty when big Dempster dived at a forward’s feet to stop an attack and the player fell over his outstretched hand. The  penalty was scored and Crusaders then brought on Gareth Robbins for Glen Bell and went on the attack again. The damage
was done, however, and Linfield scored a fifth goal in the last minute with a low diagonal shot from inside the box.
FINAL SCORE: Crusaders Colts 0 Linfield Rangers 5

Report Graeme Walsh

Cliftonville Strollers v Crusaders Colts

Saturday 20th October 2007 at Mallusk
Colts Team:

Dempster, Hamilton, McCrory, M McCartney, Murray (c), Clarke, Bell, J McCartney, Roy, Collingwood, D Earley

Subs: McAlister, McAlinden, Armstrong, Montgomery, McGreevy

 

This derby match got off to an energetic start, but although both sides played some skilful football neither keeper was busy until the twentieth minute when a low drive from Ronnie Hamilton was smothered in the Cliftonville goalmouth. Crusaders took the lead on thirty-three minutes when Ben Roy’s persistence set up Sean Earley to drill in from close range, and they had a good claim for
a penalty a minute later when Earley was pushed over in the box. The action hotted up for the last ten minutes of the half as Jason McCartney’s acrobatic overhead kick flew just over the Cliftonville bar and Darren Dempster made a great double save at the other end to protect Crusaders’ lead. Just before the break the Shore Road men had what seemed a definite penalty denied when Michael Collingwood was tripped at the edge of the six yard box and in their final attack Roy headed just inches wide from a corner.
HALF TIME: Cliftonville Strollers 0 Crusaders Colts 1
Crusaders were quick out of the blocks in the second half and Earley almost scored a second with a curling shot that drifted just wide, then a controversial decision by the Referee put Cliftonville back in the game on fifty-four minutes. Dempster palmed a long range shot on his line but the Ref (from a position in the centre circle) ruled that the ball had crossed the line. This created tension between the teams, although when Crusaders settled down Collingwood gave them the lead again with a skilful chip over the Cliftonville keeper on sixty-two minutes. Ten minutes later the lead was increased when a persistent driving run and cross by Jason McCartney was turned in by Glen Bell. Unfortunately the Reds went straight on the attack and scored with a back heel to make the score a tense three two. This was the start of a Cliftonville revival as the wee Crues brought on Glen McAlister and Jonathan Montgomery for the tired pair of Jason McCartney and Michael Collingwood. Dempster made two more top drawer saves in the last minutes of normal time, but one led to a corner and Cliftonville beat the tired Crues defence to score. After Montgomery’s volley went over the bar in the ninetieth minute the Referee inexplicably added over seven minutes of extra time until Cliftonville scrambled a winning goal
FINAL SCORE: Cliftonville Strollers 4 Crusaders Colts 3

Report Graeme Walsh

Rosario v Crusaders Colts

Saturday 29th September 2007 at Ulidia Park

Colts Team: Dempster, Finlay, McAlinden, McCartney, Murray (c), Earley
Bell, McAllister, Cosgrove, Collingwood, Crawford
Subs: Shields, R Earley, Armstrong, Morrison, McGreevy

On a damp afternoon Crusaders could not have had a worse start as they lost Stephen Finlay to an injury in the first fifteen minutes. Aaron Armstrong was brought on and they soon got back in their rhythm, with Scott Cosgrove
and Darryl McAlinden both coming close to scoring. The Crues’ hard work paid off on the half hour when Cosgrove controlled a high cross and slid it into Glen Bell’s path for him to slot home. The goal seemed to wake up the
home side, however, and less than a minute later they were level thanks to a passing move through the Colts’ stretched defence. Despite a rise in the tempo of the game neither side made any clear cut chances before the half time break.
HALF TIME: Rosario YC 1 Crusaders Colts 1
Crusaders started the second half with more purpose, with a low Glen Bell shot and a long range pile driver from Michael McCartney forcing saves from the Rosario keeper. On sixty minutes the Hatchetmen were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box and Michael Collingwood confidently curled the ball into the net to retake the lead - but just like in the first half Rosario were level in less than a minute when a deflected corner shot past the stretching Darren Dempster. The Crues had shots from both Armstrong and Cosgrove saved before replacing Robbie Lee Crawford with Simon McGreevy for the last twenty minutes. This was to prove a good substitution, as after a great Dempster save kept Crusaders in the game in the dying minutes McGreevy won the game with a goal at the back post after good build up work from the energetic Bell.
Final Score: Rosario YC 2 Crusaders Colts 3

Graeme Walsh

Ards Colts v Crusaders Colts
Saturday 22 September 2007 at Londonderry Park

 
Team: Dempster (c), McCausland, McAlinden, Hamilton, Morrison,
Finlay, Earley, McAllister, McGreevy, Collingwood, Bell

Subs: Shields, Murray, Boyan, Crossett, Holland

A Colts side depleted by injuries started this game in North Down by testing the Ards defence with their passing game. Ten minutes into the game their interchange down the right flank gave Stephen Finlay a shooting opportunity but the angle was tight and the ball thundered into the side netting. Michael Collingwood put Crusaders ahead five minutes later when he nipped through the Ards defence and slotted the ball low into the right corner, making them even more confident in the attack. The Crues might have extended the lead just before the half hour mark when Stephen McCausland’s goal bound shot was headed off the line and then it was Darren Dempster’s superlative save that kept the home side out. As half time approached niggly fouls crept into the game and the one goal scoring chance that fell to Ronnie Hamilton was
saved point blank by the big Ards keeper.
HALF TIME: Ards Colts 0 Crusaders Colts 1
Ards came out after the break looking more determined and in less than ten minutes the score was level as Crusaders conceded a free kick on the edge of the box and the North Down team’s forward curled it round the defensive wall and past big Dempster’s stretching fingers. As tempers rose Crusaders replaced Glen McAllister with Clarke Murray and minutes later Ross Earley made way for Ethan Boyan. After the breakdown of a Crues attack on sixty nine minutes was cleared to the other end of the pitch and Ards scrambled it into the net amid confusion between the keeper and defence. This proved a blow to Crusaders confidence, and after they brought on William Holland for Stephen McCausland Ronnie Hamilton was given a straight red card for an overenthusiastic tackle - although his opponent who violently retaliated
miraculously stayed on the pitch! Crusaders reverted to three at the back as they kept trying for an equaliser but after Dempster pulled off another great save on seventy six minutes Ards went forward in numbers and scored their third of the day. One more chance fell to Boyan in the last minute but sadly his shot curled inches wide.
FINAL SCORE: Ards Colts 3 Crusaders Colts 1

Report : Graeme Walsh
 
Crusaders Colts v Larne Under 18s
 
Saturday 15 September 2007 at Loughside

Team: Smiley, Finlay, McAlinden, Hamilton, Murray (c), Crawford,
Bell, McAlister, Cosgrove, Collingwood, D Earley

Subs: Kelly, Shields, Armstrong, R Earley, Morrison

This game was one way traffic almost from the start. Crusaders dominated the opposition and had a header from Robbie Lee Crawford and a diagonal shot from Scott Cosgrove scrambled away in the first eight minutes. Just a minute later the Colts were ahead when Michael Collingwood latched on to a Cosgrove pass and slotted the ball home. Barely seconds later Glen Bell curled a shot inches over the bar and then Collingwood rounded the Larne keeper to tap in his second goal of the afternoon. The visitors just couldn’t get out of their own half and the rampant Colts stretched their lead again in
the sixteenth minute when captain Chris Murray slammed the ball home in the midst of a six yard box melee. After Cosgrove had another great shot saved by the Larne keeper on twenty four minutes Collingwood controlled the ball well in the box and completed his hat trick and then Glen McAlister finished the half by side footing the ball in at his second attempt.
HALF TIME: Crusaders Colts 5 Larne Under 18s 0
The second half brought more domination from Crusaders and increasing desperation and frustration for Larne, however for a long period the Crues’ superior play didn’t reap any more goals. Cosgrove and Bell created three chances between them but the Larne keeper saved them all, and after the Colts replaced Robbie Lee Crawford (knee injury) and Glen McAlister with Aaron Armstrong and Ross Earley on sixty minutes the visitors had a shot cleared off the line by Murray. As Crusaders continued to press and Larne began to tire Stephen Finlay scored the goal of the game when he literally passed the ball into the net after a superb link up with Bell along the right wing. On seventy six minutes Kyle Shields was introduced to give Michael Collingwood a deserved rest and six minutes later Cosgrove got the goal he had worked hard for all afternoon when his perseverance took him past the Larne keeper and he was able to tap into an empty net. After D Earley had a curling shot saved in the last five minutes Armstrong fired in a long range effort that dropped nicely for Bell to head in goal number eight.
FINAL SCORE: Crusaders Colts 8 Larne Under 18s 0

Report : Graeme Walsh

 
Linfield Rangers v Crusaders Colts
 
Saturday 8 September 2007 at Blanchflower Stadium
 
 
Colts Team: Smiley, Finlay, McAlinden, Hamilton, Murray (c), Clark, Bell,
McCartney, Cosgrove, McGreevy, Crawford
 
Subs: Kelly, Shields, Armstrong, Earley
 
This physical encounter got off to a blistering start with the Crues on all out attack and Jason McCartney’s shot cleared off the line in the first minute. A midfield battle raged for the majority of the first half with scoring chances at a premium. Linfield blazed a shot over the bar and then forced a save from Gareth Smiley, while the Crues hit back with a barrage of crosses, the best of which (courtesy of Stephen Finlay) was desperately cleared up field by a stretched Blues defence.

 
HALF TIME: Linfield Rangers 0 Crusaders Colts 0

 
The second half began where the first ended, with Crusaders testing Linfield up both flanks and the Blues hitting back on the break. After ten minutes the Crues replaced Robbie Lee Crawford on the left wing with Sam Kelly, then a confrontation led to some red mist and the hardworking Mark Clark got a red card. Minutes later Simon McGreevy darted through the Linfield lines and hit a shot inches wide, then after he made way for Aaron Armstrong in the final fifteen minutes Kelly’s looping header almost evaded the Linfield keeper. In the last move of the game Crusaders replaced Jason McCartney (who had earned a rest) with Kyle Shields. Linfield threw everything at the ten man Colts but they held firm for a well deserved point.

 
FINAL SCORE: Linfield Rangers 0 Crusaders Colts 0

Report : Graeme Walsh