Clean Sheet Win for Comrades
October 13, 2024
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The hosts started confidently, looking sharp going forward. After an even opening spell, it was they who created the first real threat on goal. In the 12th minute Michael Morgan drove forward and then released Brian Healy who cut into the left side of the box before releasing a low shot which ‘keeper Tuffey was well positioned to save. Two minutes later the same players linked up again. This time, after a mazy run, Healy found Morgan in the box, but his resulting effort from 8 yards was deflected wide off a defender. The hosts were on top at this stage. On 18 minutes Lewis Tennant fed Caolán Donnelly who had surged up the right side and he fizzed a 20-yard effort just wide of the far post.
The men in red got their reward for a fine start to the game with the opening goal in the 21st minute. Michael Morgan whipped in a corner which found the head of Cillin Gilmour who had peeled off his marker to make space. He met the ball perfectly to loop it into the net past the stranded ‘keeper.
Unfortunately for the hosts their defensive frailties came to the fore again in the rest of the first half. On 23 minutes they allowed Crusaders to equalise. A high ball eluded Corrie Burns allowing Franklin in behind where he played the ball across the front of goal for Nixon to finish from close range. In the 37th minute the visitors created a chance for Teelan whose shot from inside the box was well saved by Gerard Walker. However, the ‘keeper was stranded two minutes later when a miscommunication saw Liam Hassin’s back pass roll into the back of the empty net.
There was more misery for Comrades before the break when they conceded a third goal. Again, it was given up far too easily to the opposition when a simple ball found a big gap in the home defence, finding Franklin who made no mistake with a well-struck shot from just inside the box.
Comrades came out after the restart in positive mood. They were unlucky not to pull a goal back five minutes into the second when Michael Morgan, after beating three opponents, unleashed a shot from 20 yards which struck the underside of the bar. Unfortunately for him the ball bounced down in front of the goal-line. The home side were looking more solid at the back, making several good blocks to deny Crusaders. Meanwhile at the other end of the pitch they maintained a real treat. In the 65th minute Tuffey had to be alert to block a shot struck to the near post by Darius Roohi. Then, on 68 minutes, Marcus Murphy was played through but shot wide when well placed.
The hosts continued to press. A good move ended with Michael Morgan getting in a shot from the left side of the box which was deflected just wide by a defender. From the resulting corner Comrades deservedly pulled a goal back in the 71st minute. Once again it was a Michael Morgan corner and a header from Cillin Gilmour which breached the Crusaders defence, with Gilmour again eluding his marker to find the back of the net.
The visitors had a good chance to restore a two-goal advantage on 75 minutes, but Stewart scuffed his effort when in a good position. The hosts sensed a chance to get back on level terms and take the game to extra-time. On 84 minutes Michael Morgan did brilliantly to get to the byline inside the box and then play a great ball across the goal which Darius Roohi was inches away from converting.
Four minutes into added time an equaliser, which the hosts would have deserved, almost came. Brian Healy played a dangerous cross into the box which proved very awkward to defend, leading to Teelan sending the ball against his own crossbar. Frustrating for the hosts they couldn’t find the leveller, but they can be satisfied with how they pushed their opponents all the way in the second half.
Many thanks to match sponsor for this game Simpson Developments and to ball sponsor Paddy Kelly.
Match photos by Paul Harvey
