Heatley’s late double for Crues sinks rivals Reds ... as Blues lose grip on Shield at home to Ards
PAUL Heatley climbed off the bench to rescue Crusaders and maintain his side’s superb north Belfast derby run at Solitude.
The Crues entered the contest unbeaten in 12 meetings with Cliftonville, but that record looked under severe threat when, with just five minutes remaining, Joe Gormley’s double looked to be sending the hosts through to the Toals County Antrim Shield semi-finals.
That was until substitute Heatley — introduced eight minutes earlier — popped up to level before rifling home a superb winner in the closing stages.
These derby affairs are always feisty occasions and the tone for this one was set off the pitch when no sooner had the action commenced than Cliftonville fans demanded the removal of injured Crusaders goalkeep- er Sean O’Neill from the home stand following disparaging comments he made about Reds supporters in last week’s True North documentary on BBC1.
With O’Neill by now deposited in the away end, his side took the lead in controversial circumstances.
A high ball into the area was contested by a plethora of players and, as Cliftonville’s fans demanded a free-kick for handball, referee Andrew Davey — possibly influenced by his assistant’s intervention — asserted that the connection had been made by a red-sleeved shirt and duly pointed to the spot; David Cushley stepping up to open the scoring.
Their advantage was wiped out just before the half-hour when Gormley nodded home after a Rory Donnelly flick-on, but the Crues were nearly back in front on 39 minutes when Jordan Owens’ header drew a magnificent save from Brian Neeson.
The second half started in similarly absorbing fashion when, just seconds after Colin Coates appeared to be tripped inside the box, Gormley planted a header against the underside of the crossbar at the other end.
Within two minutes, Cushley had also cracked the crossbar, but the Crues found themselves behind on 68 minutes when Gormley’s half-volley from outside the area was too hot for goalkeeper Michael Dougherty.
Cliftonville were looking good for a first derby success in more than three years. Enter Heatley.
First, the nippy winger hooked in via the base of the post to level and then took matters into his own hands to avert extra-time.
After beating Neeson in a race to the ball, Heatley’s delivery was hacked away by Levi Ives, but the ball was returned to the sub, who produced a wonderful finish.