Baxter hails Crues’ resolve as Glackin has decisive say
CRUSADERS boss Stephen Baxter praised his team’s character after last night’s thrilling win over Cliftonville at Seaview.
It took an extra-time strike from Jamie Glackin to book the holders a place in the semi-finals of the County Antrim Shield.
Paul Heatley shot the Crues into an early lead, which was wiped out by Rory Donnelly’s first goal of the season. Michael Carvill gave the home team the advantage again after the break, only for substitute Ryan Curran to plunder a late leveller, sending the game into extra-time.
The Reds then forged ahead for the first time when Donnelly struck again, but they surrendered their advantage within 60 seconds — Philip Lowry netting from close range.
It was Glackin’s 105th-minute strike that eventually got the Crues over the line.
“The boys showed a lot of character,” beamed Baxter. “We had a lot of injuries — we had a bit of a makeshift team with a few boys playing out of position.
“But everyone played their part. Heatley has that wee bit of liveliness about him again. He hasn’t been as clinical as he would have liked, but he buried his first chance, which was a great boost to him.
“He looked a lot more like himself. We had a cutting edge about us. My only disappointment is we let them back into it near the end.
“But the character came through straight after Cliftonville took the lead in extra-time. It’s always pleasing to win a derby — I think we deserved it.”
The Crues forged ahead after only six minutes. Stephen Garrett had his pocket picked by Declan Caddell, who sent Heatley rampaging through the middle and he despatched a thundering drive past Brian Neeson.
But the home team were rocked back on their heels with Donnelly’s sublime equaliser in the Reds’ first meaningful attack on 24 minutes. The former Swansea man picked up a pass from his brother Jay before cutting in from the right and curling into the top corner, leaving Sean O’Neill totally stranded.
The Crues upped the ante. Heatley opened up the visitors’ defence, but Ross Lavery got back to head clear. Then, substitute Glackin (right)
— he had just replaced the injured
Rory Patterson — whipped in a great cross from the left that Caddell was only inches away from.
The home fans were celebrating on 52 minutes when Carvill struck — a goal that will give Damien McNulty nightmares.
His attempted clearance presented Heatley with a clear run at goal. His shot was superbly saved by Neeson but Glackin was first to react and, after weaving into the box, drilled in a cross that was thumped home by the former Linfield man.
The Crues almost struck again on the hour. Lowry’s clever pass sent Caddell clear on the left and, when he drilled in a low cross, Carvill was only inches away.
Then another McNulty blunder let in Glackin, whose cross found Heatley, but his shot from four yards was brilliantly saved.
But the Reds were level again with six minutes left. Jay Donnelly sent in a great cross, leaving Curran with a simple tap-in.
Cliftonville took the lead for the first time in the third minute of extra-time. Joe Gormley’s first contribution brought a smart save from O’Neill, who could only beat the ball to Donnelly and he did the rest.
But within 60 seconds, Glackin’s corner was met by Lowry and he poked home.
Glackin then slotted home after his initial shot struck a post.