Crusaders are out of the Co.Antrim Shield after a 2-0 defeat to Larne at Inver Park. The damage was done in the first half when an unfortunate OG by Lewis Barr and a goal directly from a corner put the home side ahead and the job was made worse when Philip Lowry was sent off in the second half.
Crusaders started well a where arguably the better team at the start. They came closet to opening the scoring on 15 minutes but Jordan Forsythes header was saved and the rebound gathered quickly. Larne went ahead on 19 minutes through an unfortunate OG. A low cross into the box by Conor McKendry was met by Lewis Barr and as he attempted to clear sadly for Crusaders it went past Ryan Kerr in the goal and they where 1-0 down. Crusaders went close to equalising on 26th minutes when a Ross Clarke 20 yard free kick rattled off the bar and Larne somehow managed to scramble the ball away. It got worse for Crusaders on 33 minutes when a Mark Randall corner went over everyone including Ryan Kerr and fell into the net at the back post to make it 2-0 to the home side. Larne kept pushing and went close again but the ball was cleared off the line. Larne had the final say in the half when a Mark Randall free kick crashed off the bar seconds before the whistle blew and Larne went in with a 2-0 lead.
Crusaders came out determined in the second half a Kieran Offord caused problems before he was stopped by Shaun Want. Things got worse before the hour mark when Philip Lowry was shown a straight red on the half way line for what seemed a “kick out” at Conor McKendry off the ball and Crusaders found themselves 2-0 down and a man down with a mountain to climb. Ryan Kerr in the Crusaders goal had an inspired second half and he saved well from Matty Lusty and he was called on again when he saved superbly from Matty Lusty after a ball through fell perfectly for him. It was all Larne by this stage and they went close again with seven minutes left when Benji Magees shot went wide. Larne hit the cross bar for the second time with minutes to go when Conor McKendry had a long range effort and with that the match ended with Crusaders bowing out.
So defeat in a Semi Final but thoughts now turn to Saturday when Crusaders travel to Taylors Avenue to play Carrick Rangers in the Sports Direct Premiership.