Bobby Burns made the best possible return to Seaview three months after his horror injury on our last visit, as his last-minute winner gave us all three points after a very hard-fought game.
Warren Feeney made just one change from our por3evious visit to Seaview last Tuesday night, as Ollie Webber started in goal in place of the injured Aaron McCarey
The match started eventfully, a pattern it was to follow throughout, with Jordan Owens claiming in vain for an early penalty, claiming he had been pushed over in the Glens area. But on the tenth minute the Glens too the lead in some style. Along throw from the right, taken by Aidan Wilson, beat the entire Crues. Defence out was anticipated by David Fisher who got on the end of it to finish superbly with his first touch. A great finisher for the in-form Fisher who has now scored five in our last three matches.
Not long afterwards Fisher’s strike partner Junior shot just wide then forced an excellent save from Johnny Tuffey from a direct free kick from 25 yards.
Glentoran were very much the better team throughout the half, but Ollie Webber was called on to make good saves - from substitute Ben Kennedy then from Jude Winchester – in the 2 minutes approaching half time.
Half Time: Crusaders 0-1 Glentoran
The second half was very much a midfield battle with Seanan Clucas – on his first full 90 minutes in just over a year – having a great game alongside Fuad Sule and Bobby Burns and looking stronger with every start made. Rhys Marshall – also largely injured since August – was also making a strong contribution at right wing back.
From the hour mark Crusaders had much of the play with good efforts on goal from Owens, Nixon and Winchester. The best of these was a Stewart Nixon shot just striking the base of the Glens’ post. Ben Kennedy thought he’d equalised on 76 minutes when he nodded home from a Daniel Larmour long ball from the right wing, only to find the referee had already blown for a Crues free kick for a foul on Larmour.
However 5 minutes later the Crues did equalise through new signing Stewart Nixon who side footed home a Jordan Forsythe free from 6 yards. It seemed that history was to repeat itself with the previous two Sports Direct Premiership meetings with Crusaders this season being score draws after the Glens lost their lead in both games.
However the Glens’ players had other ideas. First, second half sub Jay Donnelly hit the net from a superb Clucas through ball, but he was ruled offside. The, on the last minute and after good work by Johnny Russell and Seanan Clucas, Paddy McClean hit a probing ball forward. Donnelly, on the edge of the Crues’ box, headed straight into the path of Bobby Burns. Bobby first time lobbed the onrushing Tuffey to put the Glens back ahead. That – despite a fruitless late call by Crusaders for a penalty – was that. What karma for Burns after sustaining such a terrible and unlucky injury at that every end of the pitch back in October. If anyone was to score the winner today Bobby truly deserved it
This was a genuine breath of fresh air for Glens supporters. After dropping so many points from winning positions this season, the players today showed a resilience and determination that will be essential in the final third of the season as we chase a European place and the Clearer Water Irish Cup.
Full Time: Crusaders 1-2 Glentoran
Glentoran: Webber, Marshall, Russell, McCullough(c), McClean, Wilson, Sule, Burns (Kane 90+2), Clucas, Junior (J Donnelly 59) & Fisher (O’Connor 80)
Subs (Not used): L Donnelly, McCartan, Lindsay, McGinn
Photography by PACEMAKER
