Four goals in the last fifteen minutes of todays game at Lakeview Park saw Crusaders get back to winning ways against Loughgall in the Sports Direct Premiership. Crusaders turned on the burners and goals from Jarlath O'Rourke, Ross Clarke, Jordan Forsythe and Stewart Nixon sealed the first win in four games and Declan Caddell was left “purring” over how his team played.
The first half was cagey and both sides found it hard to get a foothold in the game. It was probably Crusaders who edged it and as the game progressed they went close on several occasions forcing corner after corner. 16 year old Josh Williamson made his competitive debut for Crusaders after signing his first professional contract with the club last week and he didn't take long in making his presence felt feeding balls from midfield through for the forwards to chase and also stroku=ing the ball wide for Ross Clarke and Jarlath O'Rourke.. Jimmy Callagher also returned from long term injury and his calming influence at the back was obvious as Loughgall struggled to get shots away leaving it 0-0 at half time.
Crusaders came out the second half and started to take control immediately. Harry Franklin was almost unstoppable as he tortured the Loughgall defence time and time again. Kieran Offord tried everything to score and he was unlucky on several occasions as he danced into the box but his shots where blocked with some last ditch defending. As the game entered the final phase suddenly all Crusaders efforts where finally rewarded. Harry Franklin made another run and his low cross along the six yard box was met by Jarlath O'Rourke at the back post and he put the ball into the net to make it 1-0. Crusaders where dangerous with every attack now and scored again on 84 minutes. A good build up finally landed at the feet of Ross Clarke and he moved to his left before unleashing a thinder strike that flew into the top corner of Nathan Gartsides goal from outside the box to make it 2-0. It was soon 3-0 on 88 minutes when Jordan Forsythe stepped up and scored from the penalty spot after Harry Franklin was upended in the box. Crusaders where not finished and they scored to make it 4-0 when Stewart Nixon pounced on a mistake before keeping his composure to beat Nathan Gartside in a “one on one” situation in the first minute of time added on. Crusaders nearly scored again but the referee blew the whistle and the game ended 4-0 to Crusaders. and a super result given the last few weeks.
Crusaders move to seventh in the table but they now park the league campaign to concentrate on the League Cup on Tuesday when they travel to Ballyclare to play Ballyclare Comrades at Dixon Park (7.45pm)