Ballymena United v Crusaders

CRUSADERS SQUAD

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Jude Winchester Midfielder

Gary Thompson Midfielder

Adam Lecky Forward

Dean Ebbe Forward

Joined the club from Ballymena United in January 2022 having previously played for Kilmarnock and Cliftonville. A former Northern Ireland Under 21 international, he played in the 2020 final for Ballymena and was an unused sub for Cliftonville in the 2018 final. And he was cup-tied for last year’s final.

Signed for the Crues in the summer of 2018 from Ballymena United having previously played for Linfield and Lisburn Distillery. Gary has had an injury disrupted spell at Seaview and has again missed much of this season through injury and also missed out on last year’s final through injury but is set to be available for selection this afternoon. Gary also played for Ballymena in the 2014 final against Glenavon.

Arrived in the summer of 2020 from today’s opponents having previously played in the Irish League for Ballinamallard United and Dergview. Adam has now made over 100 appearances for the Crues, scoring 25 goals. As well as starting last year’s final for Crusaders, Adam also started in the 2020 final for Ballymena when they lost out to Glentoran after extra time.

Dublin-born forward who joined the club last summer from Welsh side The New Saints after previously playing at a number of clubs, including Shamrock Rovers and Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Dean has steadily adapted to life in the Irish League after a slow start to the season and has four goals to his name so far, including a hat-trick in the fifth round of the Irish Cup.

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Jordan Owens Forward

Paul Heatley Forward

Ross Clarke Forward

Jay Boyd Forward

The club’s record goalscorer has now played over 650 games for Crusaders and is on the cusp of reaching 250 goals for the club. Played in the 2009 cup-winning team as a midfielder and scored in every round, including the final, during the 2019 success, while he came off the bench in last year’s final to secure a third winner’s medal. Jordan also scored in this season’s fifth round win over Dergview.

The Irish League’s standout attacking player over the past decade who has now played well over 400 games for Crusaders and this season reached the milestone of 200 goals for the club. Another player in the squad with a knack of scoring spectacular goals. Having enjoyed a successful testimonial season last year, Paul has signed a new one-year contract extension to remain at Seaview next season.

A 2018 signing from Linfield who is now approaching 200 games for the club having also scored over 25 goals. His pace and trickery on the right wing are a key element of the Crusaders attack with his ability to create and score goals. He scored Crusaders’ third goal in the 2019 final against Ballinamallard. Ross signed a contract extension back in November to remain at Seaview.

Young striker who has been a prolific goalscorer for David Rainey’s all-conquering reserve team who have won back-to-back Reserve League titles over the past two years. Has made six first team appearances this season and scored his first senior goal in last week’s league defeat to Glentoran.

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