Crusaders lost their grip on the Irish Cup today at Seaview and an unbeaten run of two years in the competition when Ards beat them 7-6 on penalties after it ended 1-1 after extra time. The hero for Ards was Ethan Taggart who kept his nerve to convert from the spot after Billy Joe Burns had missed his a few seconds earlier.
Crusaders as expected started very strongly and Ards keeper Alex Moore started as he meant to go on with several good stops and many Crusaders corners. Adam Lecky and Philip Lowry both missed good chances as well but the visitors shocked the holders when they scored with their first attack. A long ball forward fell to Patrick Cafolla who shot from a tight angle and it rolled into the net off the inside of the side netting and Ards where 1-0 ahead. Crusaders went on the front foot again and Robbie Weir, Adam Lecky, Jarlath O'Rourke and Billy Joe Burns all had chances that went begging as it was all one way traffic towards the Ards goal but somehow it stood firm and Crusaders where left frustrated. Even a penalty claim was turned down when Paul Heatley went down. Crusaders where starting to feel the goal was never coming but Jordan Forsythe changed that. Jordan threw a cross in from a tight angle and it drifted over Alex Moore in the Ards goal to make it 1-1. Crusaders could have gone in at the break ahead but Jarlath O'Rourkes header went wide, Philip Lowrys shot was blocked and Paul Heatley shot wide but the half ended all square.
The second half started like the first but Adam Lecky was denied twice and so was Jarlath O'Rourke as Alex Moore continued to deny Crusaders a goal. Crusaders time after time wasted chances with Jarlath O'Rourke and Lloyd Anderson not hitting the target as Crusaders laid seige to the Ards half. Things took a twist on 71 minutes when Crusaders goalkeeper Jordan Williamson was given a straight red card for handling the ball outside the box and Crusaders where reduced to 10 men and up against it. Ryan Kerr came on on between the posts at the expense of Philip Lowry and the young keeper did very well getting a good early save in. Crusaders although a man down still created chances and Adam Lecky was denied by Moore yet again. On 79 minutes Ards goal led a charmed life when Daniel Larmour, Lloyd Anderson and Paul Heatley where denied by saves and blocks in the same passage of play as Crusaders looked for a winner. Ards had a great chance to win it on 84 minutes when James McLaughlin shot wide before Daniel Larmour went close with a header and Paul Heatley lobbed over as the 90 minutes closed in. Six minutes of added time saw Crusaders somehow fail to score the winner when Alex Moore saved Paul Heatleys volley,Jordan Forsythes shot was blocked, Jordan Owens headed over from a good position, Alex Moore made a wonder save from Lloyd Anderson and finally a trio of saves and blocks again got Ards to the whistle and extra time.
Extra time started with Paul Heatley shooting wide and Lloyd Anderson nearly getting through on goal but Ards also went close but for a super block by Robbie Weir.Another penalty shout by Paul Heatley was turned down before Ards again somehow survived as shots rang in from everywhere and the game stayed in 1-1. Alex Moore again saved from Paul Heatley and before the end of the first period Lloyd Anderson shot wide and Jordan Owens had his shot saved. The second period of extra time saw Daniel Larmour shoot over, Paul Heatley head wide unmarked and Alex Moore saving again from Paul Heatley. Ards finished strongly when Robbie Weir made a wonderful tackle and Ross Hunter crashed a volley off the bar and Ryan Kerr saved late on. Crusaders could have won it on the final kick but Ross Clarkes free kick smacked off the post and the game went to penalties.
Each side converted the first penalties each but Billy Joe Burns penalty, Crusaders seventh, was saved by Alex Moores feet up stepped Ethan Taggart to score and put Ards through.
So out of the Clearer Water Irish Cup Crusaders must concentrate on getting back up the Premiership and finish third to avoid hopefully missing out on the dreaded play offs as long as teams above win the Irish Cup.