An extremely young and in experienced Crusaders side lost the final game of the Sports Direct Premiership season before the play offs 4-0 to Glentoran at The Oval today. Given the importance of Wednesday nights European play off game Stephen Baxter played a team consisting of mostly reserve player.s Only Lewis Barr, who captained the side, Jay Boyd and Kevin Joshua where first team squad members until recently and although beaten the debutants will always remember this day.
Once kick off started the young side matched Glentoran who had several debutants also man to man. Indeed it was Glentoran goalkeeper Oliver Webber who was first in action having to punch clear and collect the follow up. Ryan Kerr in the Crusaders goal held a Glentoran free kick to his left low on the ground and that gave him confidence which showed minutes later when he punched Glentoran pressure away twice. Bradley Maguire then had a shot saved by Oliver Webber as the young ream grew into the game. Glentoran came back at Crusaders and Charlie Lindsay crashed a shot of the Crusaders cross bar and minutes later Glentoran went in front. On 31 minutes The ball fell to Jay Donnelly on the edge of the box and the striker struck it past Ryan Kerr and the home side where ahead. Crusaders came back into the game but they couldn't get the equaliser and the half ended 1-0 to Glentoran. The youngsters started to fade and in a
The second burst into life in the opening minute when Crusaders did not have one but four chances to equalise but keeper Oliver Webber was up to the task and did not let Crusaders make their breakthrough. Bradley Maguire was next to test the Glentoran but a super first touch was just to strong and the chance went by. The young side then where undone in an 11 minute spell where Glentoran scored three goals with out reply. A bit of luck made it 2-0 when Glentoran got to the bye line and the cross hit Ryan Kerr in nets and trickled over the line and it was 2-0 on 62 minutes. Bernard Nsiah nearly pulled a goal back for Crusaders when he headed just over but two minutes later on 68 minutes Glentoran scored a third when Kirk McLaughlin scored from 10 yards. Marcus Kane made it 4-0 and a flattering scoreline when he rose unmarked to head home froma Glentoran corner and Glentoran where 4-0 up. The game played out but Ryan Kerr had a final say in the game in Crusaders goal when he tipped over a long range shot. It wasn't to be and on the whistle Crusaders had lost 4-0
So 38 games played and we finish fourth after a long hard season. By finishing in fourth position we now go on and play in the European Play Off Semi Final where we meet seventh placed Carrick Rangers at Seaview on Wednesday 1st May (7.45pm) for the right to play in the Play Off Final on May Day and the chance to get into the Conference League Qualifiers and play European football next season. We need you now more than ever so put everything aside and be at Seaview this Wednesday.