Crusaders fell to a North Belfast Derby loss this evening when they went down 1-0 to a Joe Gormley goal six minutes before half time. It was the proverbial game of “two halves” as Cliftonville ran the first half before Crusaders regrouped at half time and where the better side the second half and very unlucky not to have got at least a draw.
Crusaders started started well and an early shot from Kieran Offord made David Odumosu react quickly in the Cliftonville net to save. Two minutes later it was Kieran Offord again causing problems but this time Cliftonville defence stood strong and cleared the danger. Johnny Tuffey single handed kept Crusaders in the game on several occasions through out the first half. The first was on 12 minutes when he made himself big and stopped a close range shot from Taylor Steven, two minutes later saved a free kick and a minute after that tipped a rasping shot by Rory Hale over the bar. Crusaders hit back on 18 minutes but Jordan Forsythe did not connect properly with his head and his effort fell tamely to the goal keeper. Johnny Tuffey was at it again on 20 minutes when he tipped a Joe Gormley dipping header over the bar as the game remained 0-0. Johnny Tuffey saved again from Joe Gormley on 25 minutes when he once more made himself big to stop the shot going in. Jordan Forsythe went close with looped shot on 33 minutes that landed on the roof of the net. Johnny Tuffey made his sixth save of the half when he got down to a Micheal Glynn shot. when a ball On 39 minutes Joe Gormley scored the goal that would ultimately win the tie. A good pass from Shea Kearney fell nicely to the striker and he put the ball past Johnny Tuffey and Jimmy Callacher on the line to put Cliftonville ahead. Cliftonville where content to keep possession in the final minutes of the half and went in with a goal cushion.
The second half Crusaders where a different side. A reorganisation saw them control the second half and they really should have converted several of the chances but wasn't to be.
Frustration probably summed the game up for Crusaders but they will not lick their wounds to long as attention now turns to Tuesday night and the visit of Coleraine to Seaview in the Quarter Final of the BetMcLean League Cup. Lessons will have been learnt tonight and will be used in future games but in the meantime the focus is progression in the League Cup.