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CRUSADERS F.C.

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Newry v Crusaders 1st December 2007

Crusaders turned in a good performance against the odds to salvage a draw when having to play the whole of the second half with 10 men. The Crues got out of the starting blocks quickly and had a couple of chances in the first 5 minutes. Stephen McBride and Davy Rainey linked up well on the left. McBride's cross was headed down by Martin Reilly but it just wouldn't fall for Darren Lockhart. Eamon McAllister had a good shot from the right of the Newry box but it flew just over. The first 10 minutes was spent almost exclusively in the Newry half. Play then settled down for a while with a packed midfield cancelling each other out and chances were at a premium. Closest that Newry came to goal was after 25 minutes when a bouncing ball outside the Crusaders box was cracked just over the bar. Reilly was put free in the Newry box and a neat back heel fell to McAllister but his shot was straight at the 'keeper. A couple of minutes later and a Rainey cross was headed down to Steven Coulter whose shot was deflected to the 'keeper. Newry came close to scoring when a close range shot was well saved by Aaron Kerr making his senior debut for Crusaders. Rainey fired in yet another great cross this time headed back by McAllister and in front of goal the ball was clipped off Reilly's toe. Nearly on the whistle for half time came what could have been a turning point. A Newry attacker broke through and about 25 yards from the Crues goal Gary Smyth challenged and was adjudges to have fouled. Not only that but referee Mark Courtney also reckoned it stopped a clear cut scoring opportunity and Smyth saw the red card.

Half time Newry 0 - 0 Crusaders

At the start of the second half Crusaders made light of being a man short and started brightly as in the first half and had most of the possession. Newry came close to opening the scoring when a free kick was blocked, the ball was played out to the right and a shot was crashed onto the upright. Newry started to have more possession but were restricted to long range efforts that didn't bother Kerr in the Crues goal. Crusaders were awarded a free kick about 20 yards out and Lockhart got the fans excited when his low effort had to be cleared off the line. Newry came into the game more as the 10 man Crusaders began to tire a bit. A scramble in front of the Crues goal ended in a shot being blasted over the bar. Crusaders conceded a corner which was hit into the near post were it was met unhindered and headed into the net for Newry to take the lead with only 8 minutes to go. This was a body blow to Crusaders who had played so well with a man short. Ryan Tumelty replaced Reilly and to Crusaders credit they didn't let their heads drop but kept plugging on and attacking Newry. Their efforts paid dividends when in injury time McBride made a good run into the box and was brought down for a penalty. Barry Spence stepped up and kept his head to hit the ball just out of the reach of the Newry 'keeper to give the Crues a well deserved share of the spoils. Philip Hamilton S.E.C. secretary commented later that it was an excellent team performance and a draw was the very least that Crusaders deserved. Just on a lighter note, a reminder to Billy McCord that Newry don't play in Portadown. Apparently the "Billy McCord needs a Sat Nav" fund is up and running and all donations are gladly accepted.

Full time Newry 1 - 1 Crusaders

Team

1: Kerr, 2: Montgomery, 3: Mcbride, 4: Magowan, 5: Coulter, 6: Smyth, 7: Spence, 8: Lockhart, 9:Reilly (R Tumelty 82), 10: Rainey, 11: McAllister

Referee Mark Courtney

Other Reports

Crusaders v Coleraine 24th November 2007

Institute v Crusaders 10th November 2007

Crusaders v Glentoran C.I.S. Semi Final 6/11/07

Crusaders v Donegal Celtic Sat 3rd Nov 2007

Larne v Crusaders 27/10/07 Report

Crusaders v Lisburn Distillery 20/10/07 Report

Dungannon v Crusaders 13/10/07 2007