Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Crues hit Utd with a Hatchet
PAUL HEATLEY bagged a brace as Crusaders got their title challenge off to a ruthless start against 10-man Ballymena United.
United, who saw Kyle Owens red carded for a professional foul on the hour mark, led through teenage striker Matthew Shevlin’s bundled effort on 55 minutes.
But Heatley levelled soon after and added a stunning second from distance on 79 minutes before Colin Coates headed home a third eight minutes from time.
Jordan Forsythe rubbed salt in the wounds with a close range header in added time. Ballymena, who saw Leroy Millar force a superb save from Brian Jenson in the first half, were ahead when Shevlin stabbed home from a long Conor Mccloskey throw-in.
But the Crues hit back when man of the match Heatley fired home after United failed to deal with a Coates free-kick.
Two minutes later it got worse for the Braidmen when covering defender Owens received a straight red card for a scything foul on Heatley.
Heatley produced a moment of brilliance to give the visitors the lead, firing a stunning volley into the top corner from 25 yards out.
It was 3-1 on 82 minutes when Jordan Owens headed Heatley’s corner across goal for captain Coates to head home from close range.
Substitute Forsythe then added a fourth in added time when he headed home an inviting Gavin Whyte cross at the back post.
boss Oran Kearney has agreed a new three year extension with the Showgrounds club.