It is Cup football on Saturday and Crusaders are up against a very good Limavady United in the Clearer Water Irish Cup at Seaview (3pm). Declan Caddell will be hoping for a good run in this competition as he holds it dear in his heart but Limavady will be a formidable opponent who are flying high in the Championship and have already taken a big scalp in Larne in the last round.
Crusaders will have already put defeat to Linfield to the side and will look a big response with the carrot of the Quarter Final of the Irish Cup now their focus. Again there should be little change in personnel starting the game given the small squad and injury list and this may be added to if Ross Clarke does not make it after being taken off at half time on Tuesday night. It may mean a reshuffle in midfield and Josh Williamson starting instead of being on the bench and there may be a slim chance that Robbie Weir could at least return to the bench after his lay off but we wait and see. Declan Caddell will know how good Limavady United are after watching them a few weeks ago and will not take them lightly given their squad experience, their style of play and the fact they dumped Larne out in the last round. Nothing has been left to chance by the management team and a win is a must.
Limavady united sit second in the Championship and are only six points behind leaders Bangor so they are in good form with thirteen wins in the 25 games played so far. Paul Owens side is filled with some great Premiership talent and they will go into the game without fear and look for another big win and progression. Marty Gallagher in goals, Philip Lowrys brother Stephen Lowry, Ian Parkhill, Conor McCloskey, Michael McCrudden and ex Crusaders player Rodney Brown are just some with the experience to cause an upset and if you add recent recruit Emmet McGuickin up front it could be a difficult day for Crusaders. Goals have been shared around with Michael McCrudden, Ian Parkhill, Joe McCready, Jon Butcher and Lewis Tosh have shared thirty two goals between them and it shows they are not scared to have a go but Johnny Tuffey will be prepared.
We need your backing at the game and to help us through this tough game. Season Tickets are NOT VALID for this game and everyone must buy a ticket to gain entry. You can buy from www.crusadersfc.com anytime, in Harry D's up to 1pm on Saturday and from the ticket office in the McDonald Centre from 1.30pm to kick off. Your backing has pushed us through quite a few times already this season and you can be the big difference in this game again. See you at Seaview. C'mon the Crues.