Report By Glenn Kelly
Irish Cup holders Crusaders battled through an attritional sixth-round tie with Intermediate League side Bangor 2-1 to qualify for the last eight. Philip Lowry scored his 15th and 16th goals of the season for Crusaders, before leaving the field with suspected concussion. Ben Arthurs scored a fantastic second half consolation but the hosts could not force an equaliser in an entertaining match-up.
The opening half was a competitive affair with Bangor starting brightly against the reigning cup champions. However, Crusaders slowly began to assert their dominance as the half wore on and after missed chances by BJ Burns and Ross Clarke, goal-machine Lowry broke the deadlock in the 28th minute. Jude Winchesters’ in-swinging cross from the left found Lowry on the edge of the six-yard box. He controlled the ball beautifully before slotting home through the legs of Bangor’s veteran goalkeeper James Taylor. Just two minutes later Taylor was the hero as he made a great save from Ross Clarke who fired in a low shot from the corner of the six-yard box. Crusaders continued to dominate possession for the reminder of the half but could not find another goal, leaving Bangor still in the game at half-time just a single goal down.
If hope was high for the Premier Intermediate side going into the second half, they couldn’t of started in a worse fashion. That man Lowry again playing a neat one-two with Winchester inside the Bangor box and making no mistake from 12 yards, smashing home much to the delight of the travelling fans. Bangor were thrown a lifeline in the 66th minute when Arthurs grabbed one back for the hosts. The big striker brilliantly controlling David Hume’s long punt forward. He showed excellent composure to see off defenders Cameron Stewart and Josh Robinson, before slotting the ball beyond the advancing Jonny Tuffey in goal to make it 2-1. Bangor will be frustrated they failed to build this momentum with Crusaders seeing out the remainder of the game in a comfortable fashion. The visitors would also have been glad to see the return of Ben Kennedy as a substitute, his first appearance since a knee injury sustained last August.
With no further goals the champions march on but Bangor can be proud of their battling display.