Crusaders tonight beat Scottish Championship side Airdrie 3-2 in tonights entertaining pre season game at Seaview and they are showing signs that the team are starting to come together ahead of some important games.
Airdrie had the better of the first half and went ahead on 26 minutes when Terrell Agyemang went on a run cutting inside from the wing before hitting his shot past Johnny Tuffey to put the visitors ahead. Crusaders came into the game but did not get a break through but they started putting passes together that will bring encouragement to the management team and the players who are still forming relationships.
The second half was a highly enetertaining affair and Crusaders got back on level terms on 65 minutes when Kieran Offord popped up at the back post to finish from a corner that managed to get through to him from Adam Lecky crossing. Crusaders went ahead on 74 minutes after multiple substitutions minutes earlier and it was one of those subs James Teelan who smashed the ball home after good work by Billy Vance to create the cross for Teelans fine finish. Crusaders where only ahead a matter of munites when Lewis McGregor equalised on 77 minutes. after a long ball and chest down landed the ball in front of him and his shot flew past Johnny Tuffey with a slight nick of Daniel Larmours leg putting him off. Crusaders where not finished and it was another sub who won the game. Stewart Nixon was on hand to connect sweetly after Adam Lecky nicked the ball away from Airdrie after sloppy play on 86 minutes and that proved to be the winner and also the first win of preseason.
So a good performanace all round. Let's hope it continues.
Thanks to Airdrie for the game and good luck for the season ahead