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Limavady v Crusaders 25/08/07 Where do you start with this one? Hard to think that after 20 minutes I was wondering if there would be anything to write about. The highlight up to then was Mrs. Morrow sporting her new polo shirt. Up to then neither side had created any clear cut chances with most moves from midfield breaking down before either 'keeper could be tested. Crusaders may have been a bit lucky when a Limavady defender was deemed to have handled the ball while lying on the ground. Barry Spence stepped up and made no mistake. The Crues settled and began stringing nicer moves together. Limavady were given a bit of space just outside the box and the ball was sweetly struck hard and low to give 'keeper Aaron Hogg no chance. Crusaders had most of the possession so it came as a body blow when just 5 minutes before the half time whistle Limavady were awarded a penalty for a foul. It was duly scored and it looked like somehow the Crues were going into the break one down. Johnny Tumelty came on to replace an injured Ryan Tumelty. In injury time Martin Reilly was put through and when one on one with the 'keeper picked out the far right corner beautifully to make it a perfect return to the Hatchetman for Martin. Half Time Limavady 2 - 2 Crusaders If we thought the first half was incident filled then no-one could have seen what was to come. The second half was only 9 minutes old when Jeff Spiers was sent off for his second yellow card in as many minutes. Things started looking gloomy for the Crues when only 2 minutes later Limavady took the lead again when a Limavady attacker had too much space in the box from a free-kick and was able to pick his spot with a powerful header. Crusaders by now were under the cosh and a chip flew over Hogg and only for the crossbar the deficit would have greater. A spokesperson for the S.E.C. told me that he would settle for a 3-3 draw at that stage. Little did he know what was in store. Being down to 10 men seemed to spark us into life and that's when we played our best football. In the 60th minute a deep cross found Davy Rainey at the back post and he made no mistake with the head. Just 2 minutes later it was that man Rainey again. He ran at speed at the Limavady right back. When he nudged the ball past him and was brought down the referee had no hesitation awarding the 3rd penalty of the day. Chris Morrow seemed to pick up a knock and was replaced by Alain Emerson. Alain was only on the pitch 3 minutes when he took a free kick out on the right. It was cracked in hard which caused the 'keeper to spill the ball and Darren Lockhart was on hand on put away the rebound for the Crues to take a 5-3 lead. By this stage the Crues' tails were up and no-one would have known we were down to 10 men. This game was never just going to go without a bang and bang it did. Crues fans were in fine voice and ready to applaud a victory which looked unlikely half an hour previously when down to 10 men and conceding the lead when a cross bounced up and hit Eamonn Doherty on the arm and the ref pointed to the spot for the 4th time. Hogg guessed the wrong way and with the lead down to a single goal again it was going to be a long 4 added minutes. Aaron Hogg was the Cruses hero when he made a save which was out of the top drawer. Somehow he managed to tip a powerful shot from close range over the bar. Johnny Tumelty could have wrapped it up with the last kick of the game but he failed to hit the target when free in the box. The final whistle blew and this reporter needed a lie down. (slept most of the way to Seaview so I got my wish) I have worked out that Crusaders fans must be getting the best value for money around. 21 goals in 3 games...... That's only £1 an goal ... where would you get it !!!!! Full Time Limavady 4 - 5 Crusaders Team 1: Hogg; 2: Magowan; 3: McBride; 4: Spence 5: Spiers; 6: Doherty; 7: Morrow (Emerson 68) 8:Lockhart [c]; 9: Reilly (Coulter 86); 10: Rainey; 11 R. Tumelty (J. Tumelty 45) Referee - Brian Turkington Golden Goal times 1st - 24; Last - 90 Crusaders v Cliftonville 18/08/07 Report Donegal Celtic v Crusaders 11/08/07 Report
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