We move to Friday night football this week and travel the short distance to Carrick to play Carrick Rangers at the Loughview Leisure Arena (7.45pm) Crusaders drew with Newry City last Saturday with a late goal from the visitors that shared the spoils whilst Carrick Rangers also drew 2-2 with Loughgall. Both sides will look to get back to winning three points and get a good footing ahead of the busy Christmas schedule.
A big response is needed for this game after a late goal denied collecting all three points last week. Training this week has been focused on thinking forwards and the team picked will have put last week aside and will only think of a win. It should be much of the same as last week but we will see Daniel Larmour available after illness last week so he may get thrown straight back in. Rory McKeown and Jimmy Callagher of course are long term absentees. Stephen Baxter may look to tweak also and give a few a chance to get over niggling knocks.
Carrick Rangers sit ninth in the table and have failed to win their last three in the Premiership. It has been an “up and down” season for Stuart Kings side but they continue to impress. They will of course want to put to bed the last time the two sides met when Crusaders won 9-0 at Seaview earlier in the season but a lot has changed since then and they have learnt. Danny Purkis and Curtis Allen are the two men that need watched by the Crusaders defence but ex Crusaders players David Cushley and Andy Mitchell are also threats if they play.
We want you with us on the short journey down the road and to get behind the team as always. It is heard and appreciated and with you we can build a good run and get into the mix. Tickets can be bought at Carrick Rangers Football Club - Tickets and we hope to see you there. Keep the Faith. C'mon the Crues.