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 Crusaders News

 

Crusaders 0-0 Bangor

League leaders Crusaders were held to a scoreless draw at Seaview by an impressive Bangor side. The Crues also lost star men Rainey and Coates to injury.

Crusaders 3-0 Glentoran

Mark Dickson scores twice as Crusaders beat Glentoran by 3-0 to remain top of the JJB Sports Premiership, David Rainey  had opened the scoring for Crusaders to remain the leages top goalscorer. The defeat drops the Glens to forth in the table. 

  Crues Add Marks

Crusaders have added ex Portadown player Jamie marks to their title chasing squad. Marks had been training with Linfield in recent weeks after returning from Cyprus.

Top Mark's for Dixon

Crusaders striker Mark Dixon has been named Harp "Player of the Month" for September, the striked has been in scintilating form since his switch from Linfield and his performances have fired the Crue's to the top of the JJB Sports Premiership. 

 CIS Cup Round 3 

 

The draw for the Third Round of the CIS Cup has taken place, all ties will be played over 2 legs with the games scheduled for 28/29 October and11/12 November.

 

 

Ards or

Limavady United

 v

Newry City

Ballymena United

v

Glentoran

 Bangor

 v

Lisburn Distillery

Carrick Rangers

v 

Coleraine 

 Glenavon

v 

Crusaders

Linfield

v

Dungannon Swifts

 Loughgall

v 

Institute

Portadown

v

Cliftonville 

Crusaders 2-0 Ballymena United 

 

Crusaders heaper more misery on Ballymena United with a comfortable 2-0 win at Seaview which moved Stephen Baxter’s side into 2nd place in the JJB Sports Premiership. Goals either side of half time from Eamon Doughery and David Rainey secured the points for the Crues and keeps Ballymena firmly anchored at the foot of the table.

 

We Can Compete With The Best

 

Crusaders may have left Windsor Park pointless on Saturday but manager Stephen Baxter was still in an upbeat mood after reflecting on the defeat. “We went to the home of the champions and dominated them in the way that they normally dominate other teams” “I can having nothing but pride in my players, we missed a penalty and that maybe changed the game, as so often happens in football the other team puts away their chance and takes the points” The Crusaders manager had went into the game with a view to finding out where his team actually are in terms of their rivals, he left Windsor Park knowing that they can compete with any team in the league.

 

 

The victory was also  a milestone for Linfield manager David Jeffrey who has now won 400 games as manager of Linfield and the Crusaders manager was full of praise for his opponent, “David’s achievements in his 11 years at Linfield are fantastic especially when you factor in the pressure of the high expectation levels at Windsor Park ”

 

Confident Crues

 

Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter will bring his troops to Windsor Park on Saturday brimming with confidence but expecting a tough game.

The Crues have had a sensational start to the season and sit proudly at the top of the JJB Sports Premiership and remain unbeaten domestically, but Baxter knows that tough games lie ahead with reigning champions Linfield next on the horizon. “Saturdays game will give us a better idea of where we actually are in terms of our rivals” commented Stephen, “We’ve exceeded all our expectations with the start we’ve made, we brought in quality players like Mark Dickson and Gareth McKeown and they have been fantastic for us this season”

The Irish league was a 12-team league during Stephen’s illustrious playing career and the Crusaders manager is delighted to see it revert back to that system. 

“The new league format has given everyone a lift and there is a real buzz around the ground, our gate receipts are up over 10% at Seaview and the supporters are seeing some excellent football, you have tough games every week and you have no time to rest on your laurels with hard work the order of the day” “There already have been some unusual results and that is likely to continue as any team is capable of beating their opponents on the day and that adds up to an exciting season”

Crusaders 1-0 Larne (AET)

Co Antrim Shield Quarter Final

 

David Rainey scored with just a minute left in extra-time to give Crusaders victory over larne in the Co Antrim Shield quarter-final at Seaview.

The striker pounced on a poor kick-out from Larner keeper Brian Neeson before firing home.

 

The draw for the semi-finals is as follows

Linfield v Crusaders

Tuesday September 30 at 7.30pm at the Oval

Glentoran v Cliftonville

Wednesday October 1 at 7.30pm at Windsor Park 

 

Crusaders 2-1 Coleraine

 

A goal from Jordan Owen in the 77th minute proved decisive as Crusaders remain top of the JJB Sports Premiership.

Mark Dickson opened the scoring for Crusaders in the 5th minute but Tommy McCallion levelled for Coleraine early in the second half. And the visitors missed a second half penalty, which proved to be a pivotal point in the game as Owens headed the winner to extend Crusaders lead at the top of the table.

 

 

Glentoran 1-1 Crusaders

 

 David Rainey scored a late equaliser for Crusaders at the Oval to maintain the Shore Road side’s unbeaten start to the season.

Glentoran had looked set for their first league win of the season when a Kyle Neil free kick gave them the lead in the 80th minute, but Crusaders were not to be denied and they put Glentoran under the cosh in the closing minutes and were rewarded when Rainey pounced to level at

1-1 .

 

Crusaders 2-0 Glenavon

 

Ex- Glenavon captain Aaron Black scored twice over his old club to secure the points for Crusaders at Seaview and maintain top spot for the Shore Road club. Crusaders were quicker and sharper during the opening half and could have had a more substantial lead but for some wayward finishing. Glenavon were much improved in the second half but couldn’t find a way through the Crusaders defence.

 

Crusaders v Glenavon - Preview

 

FORMER Crues striker Davy Larmour is not expected to feature in Saturday’s clash for new side Glenavon.

Larmour signed a short-term deal with the Lurgan Blues, which will see him, battle to get fit until Christmas and fight for a place in the first team.

Glenavon did manage to get 13 minutes of their game against league runners up Glentoran finished at the Oval – but Stevie McBride’s side were called off the pitch due to the heavy rain which washed out much of the Irish League last week.

“I’ve never witnessed anything like this for the start of any season,” said Blues boss Stevie McBride.
“We’re probably in the same boat as everybody else. We’re all frustrated and all we can do is get back into training and start getting ready for next week.
“If the rain had stopped on Saturday after the warm-up it would have been playable but then as we kicked off it became torrential. It was another frustrating, miserable day. The referee had to give the game a chance and he did that but it was obvious it had to be called off.”

The Crues look like one of the League’s stronger sides, bringing in the likes of Mark Dickson (Linfield), Gareth McKeown (Portadown), Martin Donnelly (Sheffield United) and Aaron Black (Larne),

Institute 1-1 Crusaders
An injury time equaliser from Gareth McKeown rescued a point for Crusaders in the only JJB Premiership game to beat the weather this weekend. Ryan Semple had fired Stute into a 1-0 lead in the 66 minute this despite having been reduced to 10 men following a second yellow card for Paddy McLoughlin on his league debut. Semple went from hero to villlian 10 minutes later when he too saw yellow for a second time to leave the home team with 9 men for the final third of the game.
Crusaders piled forward in search of an equaliser but they had to wait untill virtually the last kick of the game for the McKeown equaliser.
Institute v Crusaders Preview
 
Following last Saturdays false start the new JJB Premiership opens this weekend in what promises to be one of the most open and exciting seasons in Irish League history.
Institute and Crusaders lock horns at the Riverside Stadium with Paddy McLaughlin, signed recently from Newry City due to start for the north west side. Crusaders who many view as a potential top four team this season have added Gareth McKeown (Portadown), Aaron Black (Larne), Mark Dickson (Linfield),  Martin Donnelly (Sheff Utd) to their squad and manager Stephen Baxter will have high expectations going into the new season.