Crusaders make the trip down to Larne on Saturday (3pm) as they look to get back up into a higher position in the all important “top six” with games coming to the business end of the season before the split. Larne are doing their best to close down Premiership leaders Linfield when catching up on games and this could be a good time to play them as they play twice a week and have a hectic schedule up to the start of March.
Declan Caddell will look for improvement in his team after last weeks late win in the Irish Cup against Limavady where he felt they did not perform to the standards they can. He may choose to mix it up but with the long list of injured and such a small squad he may also have to do with what he has and make it same again. Stewart Nixon joined the injured with an awkward fall last week and will be out for a few weeks and with Brandon Downey and Josh Williamson on International duty with their respective age groups he will have to fill the bench with another couple of talented youngsters from the lower ranks. Jay Boyd will come back into contention after his loan period was cut short at Loughgall and he could possibly be thrown in as a starting striker. Jacob Blaney continues to impress at the centre of defence and the experience in midfield of Philip Lowry and Jordan Forsythe have been key wethere they play together or with other players. Ross Clarke has been in great form on the wing and Harry Jewitt-White is finding the net more and more so confidence and belief will be high and the need for a result is very important.
Larne are on a run of 10 games in 32 days but they have a large and heavily financed squad of full timers to get them through it. Playing catch up after their European competition Gary Haveron side are playing cup finals in a bid to close down Linfield and a draw last week against Portadown and a late win on Tuesday night against Carrick Rangers has started that run. They know Crusaders will be another formidable side and will be up for it and they will prepare for exactly. Larne have talent all over the pitch and Rohan Ferguson with Cian Bolger in front will be hard to crack while up front Crusaders will defence will need to be ready for Andy Ryan and Tiarnan O’Connor who scored for the first time since his arrival recently. Paul O’Neill, Tomas Cosgrove and Conor McKendry could be match winners as well and need checked.
So all ready for this game and this is where Crusaders supporters come in. You as always are behind us and Saturdays game is just another game we need you there. The 12th man is major in game like this so go now to https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/SelectType?fixtureId=9531 buy your ticket and make plans to travel. See you at the game. C’mon the Crues.