Crusaders get back to playing in the Sports Direct Premiership this week and they travel to Stangmore Park to play Dungannon Swifts on Saturday (3pm). Both sides really want to get maximum points from the game as Crusaders look to close the gap with Glentoran in fourth position and Dungannon Swifts fighting for a top six place come the end of March.
Crusaders will get back to work after a week that left the entire club reeling from Stephen Baxters decision to step down after 19 years as manager. This will now be parked and the action will be on the pitch as they look for a first win in six games in all competitions. Crusaders will be without Billy Joe Burns and Paul Heatley through suspension and of course Rory McKeown, Jimmy Callagher and Josh Robinson through injury so the squad is down to the bones. January signings Stewart Nixon, Adam McAleenan and Kevin Joshua could have another start and it also opens the door for several U20 players who impressed last week in a friendly against Dundela. Regulars such as Jarlath O'Rourke, Jordan Forsythe, Ross Clarke and Philip Lowry will be named to play and everyone who takes the field will have only one thing on their mind and that is to win.
Dungannon Swifts exited the Irish Cup last week after defeat to Championship side Ballyclare Comrades but their Premiership form has been decent with three wins in the last five. Manager Rodney McAree will look to continue that form with a good chance of crashing into the top six come the split but he knows they have to give it their all over the next games to achieve that. Ben Gallagher and Matty Lusty are the main threats up front but Dean Curry has popped up with some important goals and will need watched coming up from the back.
So all set and we need you with us more than ever as we look for a strong finish to the season and a decent position for a strong play off when it comes around. It is a cash gate at Stangmore Park and we would love to see and hear you getting behind Stephen and the team through the 90 minutes. Keep The Faith. C'mon the Crues.