Crusaders beat B36 Torshavn in Europa League

Crusaders are one step closer to meeting English Premier League side Wolves after a winning start to their Europa League campaign.

Goals from Chris Hegarty and Philip Lowry came either side of the interval as the Crues beat B36 Torshavn at Seaview in the first leg of first qualifying round.

If Stephen Baxter's side can successfully navigate the second leg in the Faroe Islands, then they'll secure a trip to Molineux.

The home side were utterly dominant from the whistle, and were awarded a penalty after just 47 seconds. Jordan Owens was bundled over in the box, but his spot-kick was saved by Hans Jorgensen, who dived low to his left.

The keeper was called into action several times in the opening part of the game as the Crues got an early sense that they were the better side. Ross Clarke, Owens, and Philip Lowry all kept Jorgensen busy, with B36 struggling to handle the physicality of the game.

Despite sitting on the back-foot for the opening half hour, the Faroese came dangerously close to taking the lead. With 31 mintues played, Arni Frederiksberg cracked the bar with a swerving free-kick from 25 yards. Chris Hegarty looked to have been harshly booked for conceding the foul that led to the chance, but he quickly made amends.

Just 2 minutes later, the centre-back found himself in the opposition box, unmarked 6 yards from goal. He timed his run perfectly to meet Billy Joe Burns' whipped cross from the right, flicking a header beyond the keeper to mark his Crusaders debut with an important goal.

After the break, B36 appeared energised, adopting a more aggressive pursuit of an away goal. Having already played 14 games of the Faroe Islands Premier League, the visitors were perhaps fitter and sharper, looking more comfortable as the game wore on.

However, the Crues suddenly sparked into life and put the game to bed in the 79th minute. Billy Joe Burns found Owens with a long ball forward, and his flicked header was perfectly guided into the feet of Lowry, who ran onto the ball before firing a low finish into the bottom corner.