BAXTER NOT COUNTING HIS CHICKENS

Crusaders v Carrick R 3pm

CRUSADERS boss Stephen Baxter isn’t counting the days since the North Belfast club’s last defeat – he’s leaving that up to the

media. The Seaview men made it 22 games unbeaten in all competitions when they beat Ballymena in Tuesday night’s County Antrim Shield final. It is now 105 days since the Crues, who host Carrick Rangers this afternoon, last suffered a defeat.

Since losing 3-2 to Glenavon in the league in October, they have lifted silverware, won six other cup ties and taken 41 points from a possible 45 in the Premiership.

“We’ll be pleased with the run we’re on but I’ll leave all the stats to the media,” said Baxter (left). “My only focus is preparing for the next game. Lifting the Shield was fantastic for the club, players and supporters but the challenge now is to go again against Carrick in the league.”

Remarkably it is also 105 days since Carrick, who lie second bottom of the table, last celebrated a win in the league – a 2-1 win over Dungannon Swifts.

Davy Mcalinden’s men, who lost narrowly 1-0 at the Crues in the Shield semis in November, head back to Seaview with no wins in their last 15. Elsewhere, Linfield boss David Healy has promised changes away to Ballymena as the Blues look to bounce back from last week’s 3-2 home defeat to Glenavon.

In-form Ards, who have lost just one of their last seven games in all competitions, travel to Dungannon who are just a point above in the table.