It was a good performance but unfortunately the wrong scoreline at Solitude on Boxing Day for Crusaders as Ben Wilson broke Crusaders hearts in a game they certainly did not deserve to lose.
From the off Crusaders where the better team but fell behind to a Rory Hale goal on 14 minutes when he got a slight touch to a cross with his head and it went past Johnny Tuffey. Crusaders kept going and several big chances went begging while Cliftonville remained quiet. Whatever was in the Crusaders tea at half time worked as they came out on fire and equalised on 48 minutes when Lloyd Anderson controlled. spun and shot after Billy Joe Burns back heeled the ball to him to make it 1-1. It was a massive battle but Cliftonville struck the killer blow on 75 minutes when Ben Wilson reacted quickest and smashed the ball in to make it 2-1 Cliftonville. Crusaders bounced back but could get another goal and on the whistle they may have been beaten but also deserved much more.
Full Report To Follow.