Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
BALLYMENA UNITED 3 CRUSADERS 0 THE NOT SO SOLID CRU..
Champions lose grip on the title
Stephen Baxter’s men fell from the top spot for the first time since August 20, a drop threatened since they began to decline in January.
Ballymena United, meanwhile, were ruthless in execution, identifying the champions’ frailties from the outset.
It was a tense afternoon on a heavy pitch but that was no excuse for Crusaders’ sloppy display.
Conor McCloskey’s opener lit up an uninspired first half, before Cathair Friel’s double rounded off a marvellous performance by the home side.
Ballymena manager David
Jeffrey hailed Ross Glendinning, his goalkeeper still under contract at Linfield, for possibly being the most important Blues player of the day.
“Ross will sign a two-year deal with us as soon as his with Linfield expires, and is a fantastic player. He’s done exceptionally well to keep a clean sheet and pulled off some outstanding saves,” said Jeffrey (inset). “I know the pitch made things difficult for Crusaders and we are continuing to campaign for a better surface.”
Glendinning’s first save denied Jordan Owens in the first half, lunging to his near post.
Jim Ervin then Heatley’s effort from a tight angle out for a corner, before Heatley’s next shot was smothered by Glendinning.
Friel rasped the ball off the post while an open goal stood before him then had a second attempt to score from close range but stuck a rebound just wide on 45 minutes.
Ballymena’s appeals for a handball penalty were waved away by referee Tim Marshall before Crusaders’ pleas that Heatley was shoved inside the box by Johnny Flynn were also dismissed.
Friel made up for his earlier misses in spades as he was the hard-working architect for McCloskey’s goal on 72 minutes.
Crues tried to hit back and a promising, composed build-up found Jordan Owens at the back post but he had too much on his header.
David Cushley then had the ball taken from his feet by Kyle Owens, before Leroy Millar was called on to clear Cushley’s tight shot off the line.
Ballymena still carried a real threat in attack and Ervin fired straight at Sean O’Neill.
The Crues goalkeeper then handed the Sky Blues their second, caught 25 yards off his line tussling with McMurray while Friel took possession and buried the ball from distance.
Friel netted again, slotting past O’Neill to cap a nightmarish afternoon for the stopper.