Saturday sees the final pre season game before the big kick off next Friday night. We travel to Dixon Park home of Ballyclare Comcrades as manager Declan Caddell puts the final touches to the team that will take the field in the first Sports Direct Premiership game against Glentoran.
The team could represent strongly the starting XI in our first game but a few surprises could be thrown in as the manager looks to the entire squad to show promise, enthusiasm and the want to play in a Crusaders shirt and force him to have a rethink. The 3-0 win against Newington on Thursday night showed exactly those qualities from those that played and a solid win against Ballyclare Comrades will have the team fighting fit for the challenges ahead.
Championship side Ballyclare Comrades have already played Portadown, Linfield, Glentoran and Glenavon in pre season so Crusaders will be another Premiership side they face before their season kicks off next week against Ballinamallard United. Manger Stephen Small has rotated the squad to freshen it up and as the final pre season is played he will also look for players who will try and force themselves into the starting line up next week and gib=ve him a selection headache.
The game has a 3pm kick off and admission is £8 Adult and £5 Concession. Get behind the lads and give them a big sendoff ahead of the season starting in six days time.