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Saturday 30th September v. Dungannon Swifts (
| Crusaders Match Preview |
| Uploaded Saturday, 6th May, 2023 at 10:23 |
| BALLYMENA United face Crusaders in the final of the Samuel Gelston's Whiskey Irish Cup on Sunday afternoon. |
| The last meeting between the sides was in February, a 0-0 draw at the Showgrounds enough to secure a point against a side who were struggling away from home. |
| Latest results v Crusaders (all league unless stated): |
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Ballymena United 0-0 Crusaders, Ballymena Showgrounds, 25th February 2023. Att: 1051 Crusaders 0-1 Ballymena United, Seaview, 14th November 2022. Att: 1041 Crusaders 3-0 Ballymena United, Seaview, 23rd September 2022. Att: 1368 Ballymena United 1-1 (1-2 aet) Crusaders, National Stadium, 7th May 2022. (Samuel Gelston's Whiskey Irish Cup Final) Crusaders 2-1 Ballymena United, Seaview, 15th March 2022. Att: 802 Ballymena United 2-0 Crusaders, Ballymena Showgrounds, 27th November 2021. Att: 1055 Crusaders 1-1 (2-3 aet) Ballymena United, Seaview, 13th October 2021. (BetMcLean League Cup Round 3) Ballymena United 0-1 Crusaders, Ballymena Showgrounds, 9th October 2021. Att: 1282 |
| Road to the final - Crusaders: |
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5th Round - Crusaders beat Dergview 6-0 at home, goals coming from Dean Ebbe (x3), Jordan Owens, Philip Lowry and Jonny McMurray. 6th Round - Crusaders beat Bangor 2-1 away from home, both goals coming from Philip Lowry. Quarter-Final - Crusaders beat Glentoran 1-0 at home, a single goal from Jordan Forsythe on the half hour mark securing a semi-final place. Semi-Final - It was another 1-0 victory, away from home to Dungannon Swifts, that seen the Crues through to the final, the goal scored by Declan Caddell deep into injury time in the second half. |
| Road to the final - Ballymena United: |
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5th Round - Ballymena United travelled to face Carrick Rangers, the game ending up in a 1-1 draw thanks to a Conor Keeley goal in the 79th minute. After extra-time, Michael Place, Ross Redman and Paul McElroy all slotted their penalties home, while former United players Mark Surgenor, Jim Ervin and Reece Glendinning failed to score theirs, putting the Sky Blues through to the 6th round. 6th Round - It was a much easier game at home to Newington, goals from Douglas Wilson, Ross Redman (penalty), and a Ryan Waide brace more than enough to secure passage. Quarter-Final - United were back on the road again when they travelled to face Ballyclare Comrades. The game finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, Joshua Kelly scoring in the 64th minute, before extra-time produced goals from Andrew McGrory (penalty) and David McDaid sealed the win. Semi-Final - With the Braidmen on a poor run of form, nobody expected a win against Larne on their turf. A fantastic performance and goals from Craig Farquhar and Douglas Wilson put the Sky Blues through to their second final in a row against Crusaders. |
| Match Officials: |
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Referee: Tim Marshall. Assistant 1: Stephen Donaldson. Assistant 2: Ryan Kelsey. 4th Official: Evan Boyce. Extra Official 1: Rachel Greer. |
| Match Information: |
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The match kicks off at 2:30pm. If the score is level after 90 minutes, the game will go to extra-time with 2 periods of 15 minutes. If the score remains level after extra-time, the game will proceed to a penalty shoot out. |
| Can United get revenge for last years defeat at the final stage? They led for most of the game before Joshua Robinson equalised with the last action of normal time, before Jonny McMurray ruined the dreams in injury time of extra-time with a volley past Williamson. Of course we can! It'll take an almight effort but the Sky Blues know that on their day they're a match for anyone, so get your gear on and fly your flags and make your way to the National Stadium and be loud and proud in support of YOUR team - Come On Sky Blues! |
| Match Preview by Paul Irwin |
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