Forsythe’s strike secures victory for Crusaders
Crusaders headed into Saturday’s Danske Bank Premiership game with Glentoran knowing that a win would keep them well in touch with early pace setters Coleraine.
Last updated 2nd Dec 2017
By Aaron O'Neill
Glentoran have struggled to find consistency in recent weeks and boss Gary Haveron opted for 5 changes from the team which suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Ards.
The first meaningful chance of the game fell to Glentoran on seven minutes.
Robbie McDaid latched onto a weak back pass from Mark McChrystal.
The striker neatly rounded Brian Jensen before firing his effort into the side netting.
Glentoran could have had the lead after 18 minutes.
Nathan Kerr’s pinpoint cross found the head of Calum Birney at the back post but the defender steered his header wide.
Moments later Paul Heatley went close for Stephen Baxter’s side but his rasping effort flew over the crossbar.
Eric Foley had a great chance to give Gary Haveron’s side the lead from a set piece as his well-placed free-kick forced Brian Jensen into a smart save.
The midfielder could have given Glentoran the advantage just before the half hour mark but he blazed his effort over the crossbar.
Jordan Forsythe looked to have given Crusaders the lead on 31 minutes.
The midfielder got on the end of Gavin Whyte’s free-kick but his flicked effort flashed wide.
Jordan Owens looked to have put Crusaders in front on 38 minutes as he got on the end of a Burns free- kick but his effort drifted narrowly wide.
Paul Heatley had a half-chance on before the break but his effort was easily dealt with by Morris.
At half-time there was little to separate both sides as the scores remained 0-0.
Crusaders went close on 52 minutes as Jordan Owens’ effort was instinctively saved by Morris.
The Crusaders pressure continued and they gained the advantage moments later as Jordan Forsythe’s effort found the back of the net – much to the delight of the home support.
Glentoran searched for a way back into the game and their pressure nearly came to fruition on 69 minutes as Foley’s free-kick forced Jensen into a superb save.
The game seemed to have found a new lease of life in the second-half.
Gary Haveron’s side should have been level moments later as Marcus Kane’s left-footed effort went narrowly wide of the upright.
Crusaders turned defence into attack immediately as Jordan Forsythe’s low strike forced Morris into a great save.
Crusaders were reduced to ten men midway through the second-half as Howard Beverland was dismissed after picking up his second booking of the match.
Crusaders could have doubled their advantage in the closing minutes.
Paul Heatley’s well hit free-kick stinging the palms of Morris before Owens fired over for Stephen Baxter’s side.
As the final whistle sounded at Seaview it was the home side who held on to secure all three points.
The win sees Crusaders extend their unbeaten run to 12 games in all competitions, hot in pursuit of league leaders Coleraine.
CRUSADERS FC: Jensen, Burns, McChrystal, Beverland, Brown, Ward, Caddell, Forsythe, Heatley, Whyte, Owens
UNUSED SUBS: Dougherty, Cushley, McClean, Snoddy, Glackin
GLENTORAN FC: Morris, Kane, Birney, Addis, Foley, Kelly (’74, Smyth), Davidson, Kerr, K. Nelson, McCawl (’84, O’Neill, McDaid
UNUSED SUBS: McMullan, D. Nelson, Ferrin
Referee: Steven Gregg