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Cliftonville v Crusaders 1/9/07

I didn't run low in ink jotting down notes on this one. Today saw the debut of Gary Smyth at centre back our loan signing from Glentoran. The Crues defence was slightly the busier of the two and Gary had a fine first match. Chances on goal were few and far between with neither side able to turn any possession into attempts on goal. (Oh where is Mrs. Morrow when you need her ! !). Most of the play was in midfield and indeed it was the 28th minute in which Crusaders had their first, and if I'm not mistaken only, attempt on goal. Good work on the left was finished off with a weak shot from outside the box by Davy Rainey. We had to wait until the 42nd minute until the Crues forced their first corner. Smyth made his way into the box. The corner was played short easily dealt with and cleared up the park. On half time the Crues lost possession in the left corner but the defence easily cleared the cross.

Half Time Cliftonville 0-0 Crusaders

The second half started in a similar vain to the first. In fairness, according to a spokesperson for the committee, the game was opening up a bit for Crusaders. He must have failed his A-Level clairvoyancy because Cliftonville almost immediately took possession on the right crossed a good ball in and the ball was knocked in from close range in the 62nd minute. The 67th minute saw Midfielder replace right back Barry Spence. Crusaders came as close to a goal when Gary Smyth rose high to head a cross from a corner just over the bar. 78th minute Coates replaced Steven Coulter. Cliftonville didn't fair much better than Crusaders with goal attempts but Crues 'keeper Gregg Shannon made two very good saves diving full length. The last throw of the dice was in the last minute when midfielder Alain Emerson replaced striker Martin Reilly. Unfortunately for the decent crowd of Hatchetmen the Crues couldn't find a way round a well marshalled defence and we suffered our second defeat to the local rivals in nearly as many weeks.

Full Time Cliftonville 1-0 Crusaders

Team

1: Shannon; 2: Spence (McAllister 67); 3: McBride; 4: Magowan; 5: Smyth; 6: Doherty; 7: Morrow; 8: Lockhart; 9: Reilly (Emerson 90); 10: Rainey; 11: Coulter (Coates 78); subs not used Hogg; Murray