Crusaders 1, Ballymena United 0

Ballymena United’s reign as County Antrim Shield holders came to an end after defeat by Crusaders in tonight’s semi-final.
Ballymena United's David Cushley wins a header against Crusaders' Craig McClean during the County Antrim Shield semi-final. Picture: Press Eye.Ballymena United's David Cushley wins a header against Crusaders' Craig McClean during the County Antrim Shield semi-final. Picture: Press Eye.
Ballymena United's David Cushley wins a header against Crusaders' Craig McClean during the County Antrim Shield semi-final. Picture: Press Eye.

Chris Morrow’s deflected second half goal settled a desperately poor match at Seaview and prevented a repeat of last season’s final between Ballymena and Linfield.

Stripped of the services of half a dozen first team regulars, manager Glenn Ferguson was forced to reshuffle his pack, with David Munster and Allan Jenkins at the centre of defence, while there were rare starts for midfielders Gavin Taggart and Mark Surgenor.

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United missed a glorious opening on 15 minutes. Alan Teggart picked up a loose pass inside his own half and burst forward, running onto his own through ball but as he bore down on Sean O’Neill’s goal, rather than shoot with his weaker right foot, the winger opted to square to Michael McLellan but the pass went behind the striker and the chance was gone.

Crusaders’ first opening didn’t come until the 21st minute when Sean Cleary glanced a header just wide of the far post from Matthew Snoddy’s free kick.

Aaron Stewart, playing at left-back, advanced into a promising position but his inviting low cross was just beyond the in-rushing Surgenor.

Ballymena started the second half brightly with David Cushley firing a right foot shot inches wide from the corner of the penalty area.

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Crusaders almost profited from a Ballymena mistake on 58 minutes when Gavin Taggart’s wayward pass was intercepted by David McMaster and his shot appeared to be turned around by Stuart Addis but referee Colin Burns awarded a goal kick.

Then Matthew Snoddy dispossessed Allan Jenkins and when David McMaster teed up Snoddy, his shot was beaten away by Addis.

The deadlock was eventually broken on 77 minutes when, following a Crusaders’ free kick, Allan Jenkins’ headed clearance only went as far as Chris Morrow 14 yards from goal and his shot was deflected past Addis and into the bottom corner.

Crusaders came close to scoring a second in the last minute but his low shot was palmed out by Addis.

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And as United poured men forward in search of an equaliser, they were susceptible to the counter-attack and Addis produced another fine block to deny sub Paul Heatley.

Crusaders: O’Neill, King, Magowan, Coates, McClean, Robinson (sub Morrow 46), Caddell, Snoddy, D McAllister (sub Heatley 71), McMaster, Cleary (sub Owens 59). Subs (not used): E McAllister, Hanley.

Ballymena United: Addis, McCullagh, Munster, Jenkins, Stewart, Taggart, Surgenor (sub Ruddy 77), Thompson (sub Lowry 56), Teggart (sub Liggett 81), Cushley, McLellan. Subs (not used): Robinson, Loughran.

Referee: Colin Burns (Comber).