Crusaders finished a busy pre season schedule with a 6-2 win over Ballyclare Comrades at Dixon Park today. In a highly entertaining game. Crusaders also hit the bar or post on at least five occasions as they bombarded Ballyclare Comrades from all angles but in the end Declan Caddell can be happy that the squad are now resdy for the big kick off next week.
The game was only 3 minutes old when Jordan Stewart slid in and finished a Kieran Offord cross and on 11 minutes it was Kieran Offord himself who scored when he ran through and put the ball past the Comrades keeper. Crusaders where in the groove by now and went 3-0 up on 19 minutes when Philip Lowry tapped home after good work by Jordan Stewart and Kieran Offord to set the goal up. Kieran Offord got his second and Crusaders fourth after 41 minutes and he weaved in the box before putting the ball across the keeper and into the far side netting leaving a 4-0 scoreline at half time.
The second half saw Crusaders ramp it up but somehow the Ballyclare Comrades goal led a charmed life as the woodwork was hit time and time again but it was Ballyclare Comrades pulled a goal back on 67 minutes with a well taken free kick by Gary Donnelly. Crusaders had to wait until the 80th minute to score in the half but it was Stewart Nixon with a good strike that made it 5-1. James Teelan got his name on the scoresheet on 88 minutes when his shot stung the keepers hands and went through them into the net. On the whistle Ballyclare Comrades scored the final goal of the game when Darius Roohi scored from close range making the final core 6-2 to Crusaders.
So all set for the opener next Friday night at The Oval against Glentoran and with a few tweaks during the next few training sessions Declan Caddells team will give it everything and look for a positive result to get them up and running.