CA Shield Final: Ballymena 2-4 Crusaders

Crusaders scored 3 first half goals as they overcame Ballymena 4-2 in the County Antrim Shield Final at the Showgrounds.

Paul Heatley was in superb form for the Belfast side, playing a hand in all of their goals.

Crusaders had spent most of the opening minutes camped in their own half, but were soon 2 goals clear.

With 9 minutes on the clock, centre-back Howard Beverland finished from close range after a scramble in the box following a Paul Heatley corner from the right.

60 seconds later, the Shore Road side were further ahead as Heatley, from wide on the left, squared the ball for Jordan Owens to sweep home from 6 yards with his left foot.

Beverland almost scored his 2nd in the 16th minute, flicking a header narrowly wide after a free kick was fired into the area by Gavin Whyte.

However, the Crues didn't have to wait long for the third goal, which came from Declan Caddell.

The midfielder made a late run towards and box and collected the ball from Heatley, firing into the bottom corner from the edge of the area in the 23rd minute.

A stunned Ballymena offered very little in reply, and when they were finally able to carve out a chance it was wasted.

Kyle Owens found space in the box to flick a header into the path of Kevin Braniff, who somehow looped a shot over the bar from 6 yards.

Jonny McMurray also had a decent chance but could only shoot tamely straight at Brian Jensen, before Matthew Snoddy almost made it 4-0 with a spectaulcer volley from distance which Ross Glendinning did well to tip over the bar and end a miserable half for Ballymena.

Early into the 2nd half Jordan Owens scored his second offside goal of the night, having already had one chalked off in the first half.

10 minutes into the second half Ballymena pulled a goal back as Jonny McMurry finished smartly after a quick one-two with Braniff.

In the 65th minute, Braniff had another great chance for the Sky Blues as he chased forward a long ball from Balmer.

Beverland missed his header, and with Braniff bearing down on goal Brian Jensen came charging off his line to smother the shot.

It proved to be decisive, as 4 minutes later Paul Heatley scored a much-deserved goal for Crusaders.

Jordan Owens had a shot blocked, and Matthew Snoddy was able to turn and set up Heatley to calmly finish into the corner from 8 yards to make it 4-1 with just over 20 minutes to play.

A defensive disaster in the 85th minute saw Ballymena claw back another goal and set the stage for a nervy finish.

Crues defender Sean Ward flicked a header back and over his own goalkeeper Jensen, and Cathair Friel chased it down and hooked into the goal from a tight angle.

However, Crusaders were able to hang on and win their first knockout tournament since 2012.