Crusaders are away this week and they travel to Stangmore Park to play Dungannon Swifts in match Day 13 of the Sports Direct Premiership (3pm) It's a big game for both sides at opposite ends of the table with Crusaders having a chance to jump into second place while Dungannon Swifts could pull away slightly from the relegation zone at the bottom.
Crusaders are in great form and a win last week against Ballymena United showed the good place they are in. Several players have missed the last few games due to injury but everyone will be assessed and a strong team will start. Adam Lecky was the hero last week with the winning goal but the team as a whole have been playing some great football and Stephen Baxter will ask for this to continue. Defensively the team are playing as a unit and are hard to break down while Ben Kennedy continues to terrorise opposition defences and will certainly play if fit. The carrot of moving into second place is massive and the team have the motivation to respond.
Dungannon Swifts earned a good point against Larne at the same venue last and Rodney McAree will ask for more of the same and a bit extra on this occasion. No win in five and three draws in that time leaves the Swifts flirting with the relegation zone but they will be up for this game and Crusaders need to be ready. Key players to watch out for are Ben Gallagher and Ryan Harpur while Premiership veterans in Dean Curry and ex Crusaders player Chris Hegarty will be on the watch list.
We issue the usual war cry for away games and we do need you with us because your vocal support gives the team a lift and your encouragement does not go unnoticed. You can pay at the gate on Saturday so get the famous red and black on and follow us down the M1. Keep the Faith. C'mon the Crues.