It was another frustrating night for Crusaders as they lost 1-0 to Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park this evening. It wasn't for the want of trying that they didn't hit the back of the net because Kieran Offord hit the post twice in the first half and in the second half they laid siege to the Dungannon Swifts goals but the breakthrough just was not happening.
The game started with both sides going “toe to toe” and the action went back and forward to each end of the pitch. Dungannon Swifts had several chnaces that went wide while Crusaders where constantly frustrated as chances went by and when Kieran Offord hit the post it felt it was going to be one of those nights. Jarlath O'Rourke did well to deny John McGovern. Jordan Stewart nearly opened the scoring for Crusaders but his effort went to Declan Dunne in the Dungannon Swifts goal and it was still 0-0. A minute later Dungannon Swifts went ahead when John McGovern tucked the ball past Johnny Tuffey from a good through ball before Kieran Offord hit the post for the second time for Crusaders with the half then ending 1-0 to the home side.
Jordan Stewart had a half chance that didn't go in early in the second half while Declan Dunne made a good save to stop Kieran Offord minutes later. Crusaders kept pushing forward and Harry Franklin, Ross Clarke and Jordan Forsythe all went close Dungannon Swifts made rae advances towards Crusaders goal as Crusaders kept them in their own half but they just could not get the equaliser and Dungannon Swifts defended deeply. Declan Dunne pulled off a sensational save to deny Jarlath O'Rourke and was also on hand to stop Harry Jewitt-White as time started to run out. Daniel Larmour then headed over. As additional time started Dungannon Swifts cleared again and the final shot before full time was a Jordan Forsythe effort that went over. The whistle was blown and the home side had weathered the storm and taken the points.
So a second defeat but manager Declan Caddell although dissapointed will be happy with committent and effort. This will be taken into the weekend and the next game in the Sports Direct Premiership this Saturday at Seaview against Portadown (3pm)