Crusaders went out of the BetMcLean Cup at the Semi Final stage 4-2 after extra time to Glentoran at The Oval but it will a decision by the Assistant Referee that will leave a bad taste in the mouth of Crusaders supporters when he gave a free kick against Jarlath O'Rourke that led to Glentorans third goal.
Crusaders where not at the races in the first half and found themselves 2-0 down after 45 minutes. Th second half though was all Crusaders and they came back with two good goals from Stewart Nixon and Kieran Offord before extra time proved pivotal. Again Crusaders where the better side but when Jarlath O'Rourke was pulled and tugged and eventually pushed over the Asst Ref decided he was at fault and signalled a Glentoran free kick from which they scored with five minutes left of extra time. Glentoran got a fourth in added time when Jay Donnelly scored into an empty net with Johnny Tuffey at the other end helping out at a corner in the final seconds.
A heroic effort but it just was not to be.
Full Report To Follow…