Crusaders have been defeated 2-0 in the Europa Conference League 1st Round 1st Leg against Caernarfon Town in Bangor Wales. Two first half goals have the Welsh side in pole poistion but in reality it is only half time and it will take a big game attitude on the pitch to turn this defeat into a win over the two legs next Wednesday night at Seaview.
Caerfarnon Town started like a tornado and Crusaders where on the back foot after four minutes when a distance shot by Morgan Owen from 20 yards seemed to move in the air and flew past Johnny Tuffey to send Nantporth Stadium in Bangor erupt asthey celebrated their first ever European goal. Crusaders never really recovered from the early goal but Caerfarnon Town had keeper Stephen McMullan to thank as got ahead of Kieran Offord twice ib=n a race for the ball. Ross Clarke had a header goal wards but Caerfarnon Town cleared. A Crusaders free kick outside the box was sweetly struck by Ben Kennedy but his attempt to catch Stephen McMullan by surprise went inches wide. Caerfarnon Town went close themselves but shot wide while a Jordan Stewart cross went straight to the keeper. On the half hour Daniel Larmour did well to block a goal bound shot but as the pressure came Caerfarnon Town doubled their lead. A through ball to Zack Clarke split the Crusaders defence on thirty seven minutes and despite the efforts of Lewis Barr he ran through and slotted by Johnny Tuffey to make it 2-0. Crusaders tried to fight back but could not make the breakthrough and it was 2-0 to the home side at half time.
Stewart Nixon and Adam Lecky replaced Jordan Stewart and Kieran Offord as Crusaders tried to get back into the game but the closest they came was a Ben Kennedy header that went wide just before the hour mark. Both sides dug in and never really created any chances between them. Crusaders changed things up again when Billy Vance and James Teelan replaced Ross Clarke and Ben Kennedy but again chances where few and far between. Crusaders went close twice in a matter of minutes but Jacob Blaneys shot went wide and Philip Lowrys header was cleared off the line. The last chance of the game fell to Stewart Nixon on eighty five minutes but his free kick from the edge of the box went over the bar. With no further action the referee blew the whistle and Caerfarnon Town where 2-0 winners on the night and take the lead forward.
So a defeat but thoughts change immediately to the 2nd Leg next Wednesday at Seaview. The work begins now to get a very positive result and progression and we are asking you to come out and make Seaview another European hot bed and get behind the team as they look to overturn the result.
Finally but not least a massive thank you for everyone who travelled to Wales. It is appreciated by the management team, players and the board. Once again you have been been magnificent for not only Crusaders but the Irish League also.. You are the best supporters in the country.