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Crusaders v Portadown Sat 22nd Sept 2007

I think I can speak for most Crues fans when I say how did we get beat today? In particular the first half display was as good as I have seen a Crues side play in many a while. It says a lot when the opposition goalkeeper is probably man of the match. We were playing that well I didn't even notice what Ms. Morrow was wearing. Although we bossed the first half for large parts clear cut goal chances were at a premium. Not saying that Crusaders didn't have chances. Andy Hunter hit a long range shot which was parried ny the 'keeper and knocked clear. A ball up the middle was met by Davy Rainey who flicked it on with his head to Martin Reilly but unfortunately the subsequent effort didn't cause the Ports 'keeper much trouble. Chris Morrow was having an inspired day in midfield. On the half hour Stephen McBride caught a free kick well and was held high by the keeper who fell back and just kept the ball from going over the line. Crusaders pressure was relentless and I was losing count of the corners that we forced. It was from one corner that Rainey had a close range shot well saved. Portadown should have taken an undeserved into the half time break when form the six yard line with only Gregg Shannon to beat the ball what smashed onto the railway line. The action still hadn't finished when Eamonn McAllister had a long range shot deflected for a corner. From the resulting corner the ball fell to McAllister again who yet again had a shot from the edge of the box but it went just wide. The whistle blew for half time with Crusaders wondering how it was still level.

Crusaders 0 - 0 Portadown

The half time interval was notable for the person who drew the 50/50 winning ticket. It was none other than Crusaders legend from 1959-1970 Albert Campbell. He was at the game before attending the inaugural Rea Estates Crusaders F.C. Hall of Fame ceremony in the evening. The second half started with Portadown seeing more of the possession but still not troubling Shannon in the Crues net. 10 minutes into the half saw a ball getting behind the Crues defence and Conor Hagan shot low and although Shannon blocked it he couldn't stop it squeezing in at the near post. Despite going behind Crusaders keep going forward and McBride had a free kick sail just over. two other decent chances fell the Crues way firstly Rainey shot wide and then Morrow met a good cross well with his head but unfortunately it was directed straight at the 'keeper. With 15 minutes remaining McCutcheon of Portadown found himself all alone in front of goal and he kicked the ball into the ground and it bounced past Shannon. The last 15 minutes was frustrating with good work in midfield not getting the chances it deserved. Right at the end Crusaders forced yet another corner but the resulting attempt was cleared. So it ended with disappointment with the result but some satisfaction with performance.

Crusaders 0 - 2 Portadown

Team: 1;Shannon, 2:Magowan, 3:McBride, 4:Doherty, 5:Hunter, 6:Smyth, 7:Morrow, 8:McAllister, 9:Reilly(Caddell 77), 10:Rainey, 11:Coulter