Crusaders 2-0 Ballinamallard
Last updated 27th Oct 2017
Matthew Snoddy came off the bench to score both goals as Crusaders beat Ballinamallard 2-0 at Seaview.
Crusaders started at pace and almost took the lead after just 18 seconds when Colin Coates played a ball over the top to Declan Caddell.
The midfielder ran clear before attempting a low shot which was deflected towards goal. The ball came back off the post before rolling along the line, and was then hacked clear by the defence, with the Crues ready to celebrate.
It was a sign of things to come, as Crusaders put the early pressure on the visitors.
Billy Joe Burns picked out the run of Jordan Forsythe in the 13th minute, after he had moved clear down the right channel. He tried to chip Richard Brush, who had raced off his line, but his effort drifted just slightly wide.
Forysthe then turned provider 2 minutes later, clipping a ball in behind for Declan Caddell, who could only head wide.
Shortly after, Mark McCrystal shot straight at Richard Brush from inside the box.
Crusaders had the ball in the net in the 20th minute when Jordan Owens headed home a Billy Joe Burns cross, but it was ruled out for offisde. Burns also crossed for Gavin Whyte in the 34th minute, but his header was cleared off the line.
With the first half drawing to a close, Whyte found space in the box to collect a Caddell pass and shoot straight at Brush, who wasn't deceived by a slight deflection and turned the ball away with his legs.
The second half proved frustrating for the home side, who couldn't replicate their attacking flow of the first half. Ballinamallard gave them a scare in the 62nd minute when Ryan Curran flashed a snapshot just wide of the post.
Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter turned to his bench in the 64th minute, sending on Matthew Snoddy in place of Philip Lowry. It proved to be an inspired change, as the substitute scored with virtually his first touch, turning home a Forsythe cross at the near post.
Crusaders created several more chances which fell to Burns, Heatley and Owens, but they couldn't make the most of the opportunities. However, it proved inconsequential as Ballinamallard struggled to find any rhythm going forward.
Crusaders launched a final counter attack in the 90th minute which resulted in Heatley playing a through ball to Snoddy, who hammered his second of the night, which crashed off the post as it beat Brush and wrapped up the win.