Report By Glenn Kelly
Crusaders celebrated manager Stephen Baxter’s 900th game in charge with an emphatic 3-1 victory against Coleraine at Seaview. Michael McCrudden opened the scoring in the 38th minute with a penalty following a foul by Jordan Forsythe on Andy Scott. The Crues replied in kind in the second half with a brace from Forsythe either side of a Philip Lowry header. In wet conditions, both sides struggled to enforce themselves in the opening half, with the home side having the majority of possession and Coleraine happy to play on the counter attack. Crusaders had the first chance on two minutes. Ross Clarke delivered a trademark delivery from the right and Lowry just failed to direct his header on target. McCrudden went closest for the visitors on 27 minutes, heading just wide form a left-wing cross by Seanan Devine. 21 minutes later It was Coleraine who made the breakthrough. Andy Scott chased onto a through ball and Forsythe could only bring the striker down with a clumsy challenge inside the box. Referee Keith Kennedy had no option but to award the penalty. McCrudden stepped up to slot home down low to Jonny Tuffey’s right in the Crues goal. Adam Lecky has a golden chance to equalise a minute later but hesitated in the box and ended up giving away possession. The half ended 1-0 to the visitors.
The second half was only five minutes old when Crusaders got back on level terms. Dean Ebbe’s turn and shot inside the box struck the hand of Coleraine captain O’Donnell and the referee pointed to the spot. Forsythe stepped up to make amends for his earlier foul to smash high into the Coleraine goal. The goal appeared to bring the home side to life and on 65 minutes Lowry scored his 20th goal of the season. Clarke, again the provider with the midfield maestro glancing home from six yards to make it 2-1. As Coleraine tired, Crusaders’ intensity grew. On 77 minutes that man Forsythe was at it again. Clarke yet again turning provider with a corner from the left and Forsythe bundling home at the back post to make it 3-1. Coleraine looked out on their feet and had no response as Crusaders held on. The home side now look towards Larne at Seaview on Friday night.
Crusaders: 33. Jonny Tuffey 2. BJ Burns 4. Josh Robinson 6. Robert Weir 7. Philip Lowry 9. Adam Lecky 14. Jordan Forsythe 15. Jarlath O’Rourke 19. Jude Winchester 23. Rory McKeown 25. Ross Clarke
Subs: 1. Tom Murphy GK 3. Christopher Hegarty 10. Dean Ebbe 16. Cameron Stewart 18. Jordan Owens 21. Gary Thompson 28. Jay Boyd