Crusaders today got to winning ways today with a 2-0 victory over Glenavon at Seaview. It was no where near a classic but a morale boosting victory after Monday nights defeat and big games against Linfield and Coleraine , both away, coming up. Goals from Paul Heatley and Philip Lowry sealed the points.
It was a quiet start but Paul Heatley got his first shot on target but Rory Brown saved well in the Glenavon goal after nine minutes. From the resulting corner Daniel Larmour caused trouble with a header and the follow up was headed over by Adam Lecky. Daniel Wallace had Glenavons first chance just minutes later but his shot beat Johnny Tuffey and the far post to keep it 0-0 and seconds later Robbie Weir had an effort deflected for a corner. Crusaders then went up a gear but Glenavon dealt with it. Rory Brown in the Glenavon goal kept his teammates in it with several important stops and Crusaders also went close when Billy Joe Burns just failed to get on the end of Jarlath O'Rourkes cross. Johnny Tuffey needed to be alert from a Glenavon free kick but he kept his eye on the ball and saved through a crowd. Just as it looked like stalemate at half time Paul Heatley popped up with a goal that he possibly knew little about. A cross from Mal Smith was flicked on by Adam Lecky and Paul Heatley came in at speed and lobbed the keeper with a loopy header to make it 1-0 at the break.
The second half was also slow in starting but Crusaders finally doubled their lead on 58 minutes when Philip Lowry stabbed the ball home after his knock down and shot hit Rory Brown and came back to him on 58 minutes. Rory Brown did well on 63 minutes when he won the race to a ball that Paul Heatley was closing in on and Niall Quinn did well to stop Paul Heatley getting a shot away three minutes later. On 81 minutes Glenavon went down to ten men when Rory Brown was given a straight red for handling outside his box under pressure and Isaac Baird took off his outfield shirt to put on the keepers top for the last ten minutes. Crusaders though did not test the stand in keeper and seemed content to play the game out with the final score 2-0 to Crusaders.
Three points and a win but thoughts will quickly turn to Tuesday night when Crusaders head across town to play Linfield at The National Stadium At Windsor Park.