Report By Glenn Kelly
Crusaders suffered their first home league defeat of the season with a 1-0 loss to Ballymena United to lose ground on the league leaders.
Coming into the game, Crusaders would have fancied themselves to take victory over a side six places below them in the table, however it was Ballymena United who took the spoils with a fine volley from Kym Nelson in the 80th minute.
Crusaders boss Stephen Baxter made two changes to the side that defeated Coleraine last time out with Jordan Forsythe and Lewis Barr coming into the side. The home side had enjoyed victory over Ballymena in four of the last five head to head meetings between the sides with the last meeting in September finishing 3-0 to the Crues.
Both sides enjoyed a share of possession in the opening half with the majority of chances falling the way of the visitors. David McDaid saw his early shot drift wide with Josh Kelly seeing his low drive just go wide of the post soon after.
Ross Clarke had the first effort for the home side seeing his effort deflected wide from close range. Ballymena had the chance of the first half in the 24th minute with Nelson failing to hit the target from eight yards out, following a fantastic cross from the right from Michael Place.
The effort of the half fell to the impressive McCauley Snelgrove who saw his curling effort just miss the top left hand corner from all of 20 yards. Despite the chances, neither side could break the deadlock as they headed into the sheds scoreless at half-time.
If the first half struggled to provide a hail of goals, the second half fared little better with both teams struggling to impose themselves early on. Crusaders’ striker Adam Lecky came closest for the hosts, heading off the crossbar in the 60th minute from a Forsythe cross.
However, it was the visitors who finally broke the deadlock in the 80th minute. Philip Lowry failed to clear the ball beyond the edge of his own box and it was Nelson who controlled the ball beautifully on the edge of the Crusaders box, before volleying into the bottom corner beyond the reach of Jonathan Tuffey in the Crusaders goal.
Crusaders could not get the equaliser in the final ten minutes and will be frustrated with their performance overall. They will be hoping for a much improved showing on Saturday when they entertain Newry City.
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