Report By Glenn Kelly
Crusaders moved third in the Sport’s Direct Premiership with a hard-fought 1-0 win over basement side Ballymena United at Seaview. The visitor’s had chances early on but failed to trouble the scoreboard. it was Adam Lecky, with his fifth goal of the season, on the stroke of half-time who grabbed the deciding strike for Crusaders with a close-range finish.
The game sparkled into life within the first five minutes but not in the way Crues’ fans had anticipated. It was the Sky Blues who dominated early possession, with striker Isaac Westendorf involved in three goal-scoring opportunities. The German-born forward initially bursting down the right on five minutes, before squaring a pass to Noah Stewart who failed to hit the target from the edge of the area. Eight minutes later he was at it again, this time outpacing Josh Robinson – making his first start of the season - down the left and centring where Ballymena partially cleared, but could only find Fraser Taylor whose low effort was well saved by Crusaders keeper Jonny Tuffey. Ben Kennedy had the first real chance for the home side on 21 minutes, getting on the end of a Ross Clarke cross but couldn’t keep his header down. Clarke was provider again for Lecky, but the tall frontman could only shave the upright with a downward header. Ex-Crusaders man Colin Coates had to leave the field of play midway through the first-half due to a collision with his own keeper Sean O’Neill. The veteran defender was carried off with a suspected dislocated kneecap. The Hatchmen grew into the game and opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time. Ben Kennedy with a smart through-ball to Jarlath O’Rourke out left and the full-back levelled to an incoming Lecky who slotted home from six yards.
The second-half was a rather drab affair as Crusaders were content to play on the counter-attack, with Ballymena failing to really apply significant pressure. O’Rourke went closest with a fizzing effort from the left side of the box but it was well saved by O’Neill. United manager Ervin will rue the early chances and would have expected much more from the opportunities his side created.
Crusaders: Tuffey, Burns, Lowry, B Kennedy (Teelan 90+4’), Lecky, O’Rourke, Robinson, Larmour, Heatley (Smith 23’), Clarke, Anderson.
Subs: Kerr, Teelan, Forsythe, M Kennedy, Owens, Smith, Robinson.
Ballymena United: O'Neill, Whiteside, Coates (Gawne 23’), McCullough, Taylor, Boyle, McGrory (McMurray 90+3’), Tennant, Boyle, Place, Stewart, Westendorf.
Subs: Johnston, Gawne, O'Boyle, McGuigan, O'Boyle, Walsh, Murray, McMurray.