Ballymena United v Crusaders

CRUSADERS: ROAD TO THE 2023 FINAL Words Nigel Tilson

On the way to this year’s decider cup holders Crusaders had to overcome opponents from the NIFL Premier Intermediate, Championship and Premiership leagues along the way.

Surprisingly, despite creating a flurry of chances, the home side were only one up at the break. That goal came when Jordan Forsythe’s inviting cross was headed home by Ebbe. The floodgates opened in the second period. Ebbe grabbed a second as he reacted quickest to score from close range when the Co Tyrone side’s keeper, Alan Buchanan, pushed out a Philip Lowry strike. Ross Clarke then nodded the ball to Ebbe and he duly completed his hat-trick with a looping header. Clarke was involved again in the fourth goal. His corner was headed into the net by substitute Jordan Owens. Lowry then played a one-two with Declan Caddell before scoring with a peach of a curler from the edge of the area. Goal number six followed. Caddell played a pass into the path of another substitute, Jonny McMurray, and he coolly slid the ball into the net from a wide angle. SIXTH ROUND Bangor 1 Crusaders 2 Philip Lowry netted twice for Crusaders as they narrowly defeated Bangor by two goals to one at Clandeboye Park. The midfielder scored on 28 minutes and two minutes after the restart to edge the Crues past the Seasiders, who almost forced extra time after pulling a goal back through Ben Arthurs. The cup holders dominated in the opening half hour and deservedly went in front when Lowry controlled a ball in from Jude Winchester and stroked it past James Taylor. The Bangor keeper made some superb saves as the Crues went for the jugular. Efforts from Lowry, Jordan Owens and Ross Clarke were thwarted by Taylor. Lowry got his second just after the break when he played a lovely one-two with Winchester before slamming the ball home. The Seasiders ruffled a few feathers when they scored on 67 minutes. After getting on the end

They enjoyed a relatively comfortable passage through the fifth round, thanks to a 6-0 win over Championship side Dergview, but things got a little tougher after that. Next up was a trip to the Co Down coast where they faced Bangor, the team of the season in the NIFL Premier Intermediate League. The Seasiders performed well against their illustrious opponents but the Crues edged past them on a 2-1 scoreline thanks to a Philip Lowry double. Glentoran provided the opposition in the quarter finals. Crusaders bossed proceedings for long spells and were worthy winners. A single goal from Jordan Forsythe was enough to get them over the line. They faced another Premiership team in the last four. Dungannon Swifts battled hard, although the Crues always had the upper hand. Baxter’s boys left it very late, however, to grab the only goal of the game. It came two minutes into added time courtesy of Declan Caddell. FIFTH ROUND Crusaders 6 Dergview 0 A hat-trick from Dean Ebbe provided the perfect start to Crusaders’ defence of the trophy. Ebbe’s three goals, and a further three from other sources, saw the Crues comfortably overcome Championship side Dergview at Seaview.

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