Welcome to Seaview - Home of the Hatchetmen

CRUSADERS F.C.

WELCOME TO SEAVIEW

Crusaders v Cliftonville 26th December 2007

Enter the old cliché a game of two half's, this one certainly was one of them. High Flying Cliftonville were visitors to Seaview in a pulsating North Belfast Derby festive fixture. The Reds looking to draw further ahead of their nearest rivals Linfield dominated the first half with plenty of possession in front of the big holiday crowd.

But it was Crues hit man Davy Rainey who came close and his parting shot after nine minutes went whizzing past the upright, Cliftonville then had a free from around 20 yards but Kerr handled the situation comfortably. But Barry Holland sent the large visiting support when he volleyed home McMullan's low ball into the box, Crues were then dealt a blow when influential midfielder Chris Morrow had to leave the field with a shoulder injury and was replaced by the effervescent McAllister. The Reds well in control of the first half brought the best out of Kerr when he turned away a McMullan effort, Coates nearly brought the Crues level when Connolly did well to tip over the big defenders header.

Half time Crusaders 0 - 1 Cliftonville

Martin Reilly replaced Emerson at Half time and partnered Rainey upfront and this certainly made a difference to the home side who then took control of the game, dominating in the same fashion as Cliftonville did in the first half, Connolly made a tremendous save midway through the half and by now it was all Crusaders who were looking to get back on level terms. Cliftonville did look dangerous on a couple of occasions on the counter attack but the home defence stood firm. But with time running out sub Ryan Tumelty scored a screamer leaving Connolly helpless when he deflected a Barry Holland clearance into the corner to give Crusaders a deserved point.
Good entertainment for the big crowd and a draw was a very fair result.

Full time Crusaders 1 - 1 Cliftonville

Team

Kerr, Magowan, McBride, Spence ( R Tumelty), Smyth, Coates, Morrow ( McAllister), Lockhart, Coulter, Rainey, Emerson (Reilly)

Ref Alan Black

Glentoran v Crusaders 15th December 2007

Crusaders v Glenavon 11th December 2007

Newry v Crusaders 1st December 2007

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