Crusaders played their last pre season game today against Ballymacash Rangers at the Bluebell Stadium today narrowly losing 1-0. A decent crowd saw Stephen Baxter use the depth of the squad and some very talented youngsters from the U20's and Academy teams against the newly promoted NIFL Intermediate side and they did not look out of place.
The only goal of the game came in the first half when Gary Warwick scored with a quickly taken free kick after asking permission to take before Crusaders had a wall set up. Crusaders went close on several occasions as Ballymacash Rangers stood strong and the closet Crusaders came was a Mikhail Kennedy header hit the bar and the home defence scrambled several balls away. Crusaders could not break down the opposition defence and the game finished 1-0 to the home side.
So a good game of football in decent surroundings and we would like to thank Ballymacash Rangers for hosting us and the best of luck for the incoming season.