Ballinamallard’s Stephen Sheridan
Crusaders Reserves 4
Ballinamallard United Reserves 0
League champions Ballinamallard United Reserves had a difficult start to the new season, going down by four goals to nil at Seaview.
A strong Crusaders side, with several first team players on show, bossed the game, but it was mistakes which let the visitors down.
Manager Scott Robinson admitted his young side was a bit nervous going into their opening fixture, but they got off to a steady start.
The new pairing of Neil Coalter and Gary Phair looked tight in the centre of the back line as Crusaders pushed forward.
The Belfast side did have a lot of possession but the hard working Mallards reduced the threat in the final third of the park.
The Ferney Park side was coping well, but on the half hour Crusaders eventually got the openinig they needed.
A long ball through the middle saw keeper Stephan McCusker off his line. But the Mallard netminder was chipped for the opening score.
Ballinamallard’s midfield of James Turley and John Edgar were finding the going tough against a more experienced Crusaders middle line up, but the visitors still found ways to create openings.
Adam Wallace prized open the Cruasders defence down the right flank before delivering a great cross for Stephen Sheridan to shoot on goal. His effort was well saved by the Crusaders netminder.
Chris Crilly’s constant overlapping also caused a few problems for the Seaview side and when he and Wallace combined again it set up Sheridan for another chance from the edge of the penalty area.
Johnny Courtney too had a good effort saved before Crusaders notched a second before the break.
A Ballinamallard corner by Wallace was cleared and a quick Crusaders break found the visitors defence short with a striker running through to slot into the bottom corner.
The Mallards upped their game in the second half, but with striker Josh McIlwaine having to retire with a calf injury manager Robinson had to reshuffle the line up.
Ballinamallard then lost midfielder James Turley with a dead leg and introduced Johnny Hoy.
But they were punished again when they gave the ball away too easily, Crusaders breaking from the middle and although keeper McCusker parried the first effort, Crusaders followed up to net number three.
In the final minute they conceded a fourth when first teamer Snoody broke free to find the net.
Overall, through, manager Scott Robinson wasn’t too deflated.
“Really for a lot of us it was just good to get the first game over us. It was disappointing that we lost and conceded four, but we are a young side still learning.
“The boys worked exceptionally hard and they will learn an awful lot from that. It was our first real test after the pre-season and it was a difficult one.”
