It was a carbon copy of Saturday Premiership game tonight as Crusaders second half display blew away their opponents. This time Knockbreda ended up on the wrong side of a 6-2 score line as Crusaders progressed to the Quarter Final of the Toalsbet.com Co.Antrim Shield with five goals after going in at half time 2-1 down.
A strong Crusaders side started well as expected against Premier Intermediate side Knockbreda and they where rewarded when Harry Franklin chested a cross down and poked the ball past the advancing Ryan Dalzell in the Knockbreda goal after 5 minutes to put Crusaders ahead 1-0. As the game settled Knockbreda took the game to Crusaders aand Crusaders should have been further ahead given the chances created. It was Knockbreda though who scored next on 24 minutes when a long range Curtis Kenny shot went in after a uncharacteristic mistake by Crusaders number two goalkeeper Ryan Kerr. Crusaders kept going although the end product wasn't coming but Jordan Stewart, Kieran Offord and Harry Franklin kept to the task up front. With five minutes of the half remaining Knockbreda where ahead when a mix up in the Crusaders defence somehow left Curtis Kenny with his second of the night and Knockbreda's second also and they went in at half time 2-1 ahead.
Whatever was said at half time in the Crusaders dressing room certainly got through as they set about an explosive second half. They took the game to Knockbreda immediately and got back on level terms when Daniel Larmour equalised with a header from a corner on 59 minutes. Crusaders showed no mercy and went ahead from the penalty spot on 64 minutes through Ross Clarke after Kieran Offord had been fouled. 3-2 up and Ross Clarke made it 4-2 when he finished off with a volley from a great Jarlath O'Rourke cross. Knockbreda tried their best to get back into it but a Crusaders victory was sealed when Jordan Stewart scored his first goal for the club after a good run and selfless pass from Harry Jewitt-White set him up. The rout was finished by Jordan Owens who made it 6-2 on the whistle with a trademark Jordan Owens header and with that the referee blew the whistle and Crusaders go through.
So a decent game and goals scored will please manager Declan Caddell and Crusaders now have a break until Saturday week when they return to action against Glenavon at Seaview in the Sports Direct Premiership