Crusaders tonight ran out 5-0 winners against Premier Intermediate side Warrenpoint Town at Milltown in a professional performance that sees them through in the BetMcLean League Cup. Ben Kenendy stepped up with his second hat trick of the season while Philip Lowry and Josh Robinson chipped in with goals.
With five changes but still a strong side Crusaders went ahead on three minutes when Ben Kennedy got a final touch on a low cross to put Crusaders ahead. The goal spurred the home side into action and they took the game to Crusaders but the closest they came was a 25 yard free kick that flew past the post. Jordan Owens went close with a header on 25 minutes while Johnny Tuffey was called into action on the half hour when he saved well from Steven Ball. From the resulting corner they went close and missed a great chance two minutes later as they looked for a break through. With little to report after that Crusaders went into the break 1-0 ahead.
Adam Lecky and Ross Clarke replaced Jordan Owens and Mikhail Kennedy for the second half and this gave the team a boost. A Crusaders corner caused trouble in the Town defence when it flashed across the goal and out again at the back post on 56 minutes but seconds later a Warrenpoint Town defensive mistake let in Ben Kennedy who finished well and put Crusaders 2-0 up. This knocked the fight out of Warrenpoint Town and Crusaders should have scored on 63 and 65 minutes. Philip Lowry put Crusaders 3-0 ahead on 66 minutes when he scored another long distance effort after good work by Adam Lecky and Ben Kennedy and the game was going out of sight. Ben Kennedy completed his hat trick after 76 minutes when he headed home a Ross Clark free kick and it was 4-0. Crusaders introduced three up and coming stars in Bradley Maguire, Johnny James and Ben Harrison before the game ended and Josh Robinson finished off a good night when he scored at the front post again from a Ross Clarke corner leaving it 5-0 at the whistle and safe passage through.
So job done and attention turns to the Sports Direct Premiership again and the game against Larne on Friday night at Inver Park.