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Crusaders v Larne

1st March 2008

For the first time in weeks Crusaders got what they deserved out of a match.... a win. Larne almost made the perfect start when they hit the post in the first few seconds. Tony Gorman's debut for the Crues only last ten minutes when he had to go off injured. For the first 15 minutes Larne had the most of possession and looked the more likely to score. Crusaders gradually came more into the match and had a couple of chances fall to Chris Morrow. His first a shot well over and then a header not far off the target. On the half hour mark Jordan Owens opened the scoring. Davy Rainey flicked the ball over his head to find Owens on the edge of the Larne box. He took it round Keenan in the Larne goal and from the right of the 6 yard box slotted the ball into the unguarded net. Crusaders lifted by the goal started stringing a few good passes and moves together. Morrow again went close when he headed just wide from a Steven Coulter free kick on the right. Rainey and Morrow played a neat one two at the edge of the Larne box but Keenan was able to smother Rainey's attempt. After 39 minutes Stephen Hyndes miss hit a clearance and the ball was picked up by Anderson for Larne. His shot from 25 yards beat Aaron Kerr and went in off the post. Crusaders came close to regaining their lead in the final minute of the half when a neat move ended with Rainey squaring the ball to Coulter but his attempt was blocked by the busy Larne keeper.

Half time Crusaders 1 - 1 Larne

Crusaders took the lead again within a minute of the restart. Rainey won a free kick and Coulter fired it into the top corner of the net. It looked like the Crues would go further in front when Rainey was put through with only the keeper to beat but his shot was well saved and he put the rebound into the side netting. In the 57th minute Crusaders finally got a bit of breathing space. Hyndes made a good run into the Larne penalty area and was driven wide by Keenan who brought him down in an attempt to get the ball. Barry Spence took the resulting penalty and he made no mistake with a superb strike into the top corner. Rainey found Owens just outside the Larne box and his shot on the turn forced a good save out of the Larne keeper. By now Larne were having to content themselves to long range efforts although one did produce a good save low down be Kerr. Seamus Brown replaced Owens (making his first senior start at Seaview) and it only took him 8 minutes to get the Crues 4th and wrap up the points. Morrow got free on the right and crossed in for Brown to side foot home from close range. Crusaders forced a couple of late corners but were unable to add to their goal tally. A good job well done indeed.

1: Kerr 2: Spence 3: McBride 4: Doherty 5: Smyth 6: Coates (c) 7: Coulter 8: Gorman (Hyndes 10) 9: Owens (Brown 72) 10: Rainey (McAllister 80) 11: Morrow

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Crusaders v Cliftonville 26th Dec 2007

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