Report By Glenn Kelly
Larne’s 134-year wait for a league title has come to an end after seeing off Crusaders 2-0 at Seaview. Andrew Ryan and Lee Bonis grabbing the goals for Larne, as Crusaders captain Billy-Joe Buirns saw red late in the first half. As the rain disappeared and the clouds parted, the Seaview crowd were treated to an enthralling first half spectacle. Larne enjoyed most of the possession with Crusaders battling hard in the middle third.
Larne could have broken the deadlock in the fourth minute when Tomas Cosgrove fizzed a low cross from the right that missed everyone including the outstretched Lee Bonis to run out for a goal-kick. The breakthrough did come in the 12th minute for the visitors. Glynn made the most of space down the Larne left; he directed his cross to the near post where Ryan beat the defender to the ball to poke home past Jonny Tuffey in the Crusaders goal. Six minutes later Dean Ebbe had a glorious opportunity to level for the home side. Burns played a neat through-ball with the outside of his foot, through to the on-rushing Ebbe, but the striker failed to beat Rohan Ferguson in the Larne goal. Things went from bad to worse in the 38th minute when Crusaders lost captain Burns to a red card. The defender allegedly throwing the ball in the face of Larne player Shaun Want. The decision appeared harsh at best. No goals followed and the half finished 1-0 to the Inver men.
The second half began brightly for the Crues with Jordan Forsythe and Daniel Larmour going close with headed efforts that both went over the crossbar. However, Larne showed their championship pedigree with a breakaway goal in the 62nd minute. Leroy Millar carried harried down the Larne left before playing a pin-point cross into thew middle of the Crusaders box where Bonis made no mistake from 12 yards, sliding the ball past Tuffey. Crusaders continued to battle hard but failed to really get hold of the game and the game became somewhat of a ceremonial affair. Larne were well deserving of their three points and the championship title.
For Crusaders attention refocuses on getting as high up the league as possible and eventually the Irish Cup final in their hunt for European football.