Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
OWENS OWNS OVAL DEFENCE
JORDAN OWENS’S brace helped Crusaders book a place in the semi-finals of the Betmclean League Cup last night.
David Cushley and substitute Paul Heatley also made it a night of torment for Glentoran at The Oval, while Robbie Mcdaid and Curtis Allen were on the mark for the out-classed home side.
Glentoran’s season appears to be slipping down the tubes – they have now lost seven out of their last nine games.
“We started rather sloppy, but our class came through in the end,” said Crues boss Stephen Baxter.
“We totally dominated the second half and deserved the victory.
“Even though we made six changes to the side, we still had the momentum and hunger. I thought Jordan was a handful all night and his two goals were typical of the big man.”
Mcdaid had the home fans on their feet after 10 minutes. In a smooth build-up, Nathan Kerr sent Allen free on the left and he picked out Conor Pepper. The midfielder saw his header crash back off a post but the lurking Mcdaid had better luck with the follow-up.
The Crues were back on terms 15 minutes later. This time Pepper turned villain as he allowed Gary Thompson to wriggle free on the right. When the midfielder drilled in a low cross, goalkeeper Elliott Morris could only push into the path of Owens who simply doesn’t miss from six yards.
The gritty Glens managed to regain the lead on 28 minutes.
Allen and Mcdaid’s clever inter-change carved open the Crues and, when the in-form striker roared into the box, he drilled a low shot past Harry Doherty, who will be disappointed to be beaten at his near post.
The Crues were back in business on 60 minutes. Cushley gobbled up a pass from Owens and, after holding off a halfhearted challenge from Calum Birney, he drilled a low shot under Morris.
The visitors edged ahead on 64 minutes when Cushley whipped in a corner from the right and Owens thundered home a great header.
Heatley then hit his team’s fourth five minutes from time.
He cut in from the left to curl a beauty past Morris.