Bet McLean League Cup semi-finals: Crusaders 2 Institute 0
CRUSADERS were in cruise control as they breezed into this season’s League Cup decider last night against 10-man Institute who will have to wait a little longer to play in their first senior final.
A goal in each half from David Cushley and Jordan Forsythe was enough to see the north Belfast men book their place in the February 15 showpiece final against Coleraine.
The final score-line didn’t reflect Crusaders’ absolute dominance, especially when Joe McCready was sent off midway through the second half for a crude challenge and stamp on Crues defender Colin Coates.
Despite the first signs of a league revival, Institute never really troubled their hosts in last night's semi-final encounter.
The home side were probably still smarting from Institute snatching a share of the spoils on their last visit to Seaview only a few weeks ago – but after a sluggish start the Crues found some rhythm in their play.
Ross Clarke was the most dangerous attacker on display in the early stages firing wide with one effort and forcing a save out of visiting ‘keeper Paul Wells as well as giving Institute skipper Dean Curry a torrid time.
Sean Connor’s men were neat and tidy in possession with Joe McCready showing some decent glimpses, but the visitors lacked a cutting edge.
After 20 minutes of the first half it seemed only a matter of time before Crusaders would break the deadlock.
Colin Coates thought he’d scored with a powerful header just after the half hour mark, but his effort came off the post and despite protests the ball was adjudged to not have crossed the line.
Jamie McGonigle tested the reflexes of Wells with a left-footed drive from an acute angle and just when it seemed 'Stute might reach half-time on level terms David Cushley grabbed the opener on 37 minutes.
With the Derry men committed to attack, Clarke’s brilliant counter-attacking pass found Cushley who raced clear and passed the ball beyond Wells and into the corner of the net.
Conor Tourish went close for Institute with a 20-yard drive in a rare attack, but the visitors were lucky they didn’t fall further behind before the break when Paul Heatley latched onto Cushley’s sublime pass but Wells was again on hand to make the save.
Stephen Baxter’s men didn’t have to wait too long after the restart to double their advantage and kill off Institute.
Jordan Forsythe, who lorded central midfield last night, fired home a neat volley from just inside the penalty area on 52 minutes, and soon after that the wheels came off Institute’s challenge.
With morale sagging after the second goal, it got worse for the Irish Premiership strugglers when McCready floored Coates after a dangerous aerial challenge and followed up by stamping on the Crusaders central defender's leg while his opponent was on the ground nursing a head injury.
It was the most straightforward red card you will see all season, which also resulted in yellow cards for respective assistant managers Jeff Spiers and Sean Friars after tempers became frayed from McCready's indiscretion.
For the remainder of last night’s semi-final, Institute were chasing shadows with Heatley going close to making it three. In truth, the scoreboard was kind to Institute as they turn their attentions back to getting themselves out of the relegation zone in the Irish Premiership.
Crusaders: S O’Neill, BJ Burns, J O’Rourke, C Coates, H Beverland, P Lowry, J Forsythe (G Thompson 78), J McGonigle, P Heatley (P McElroy 81), D Cushley (R McGinley 85), R Clarke Subs not used: G Doherty, C Hegarty, D Caddell, M Ruddy
Institute: P Wells, R Morrow, C McLaughlin, C Tourish, D Curry (S McNamee 55), N Grace (S Leppard 72), A McCauley, G Brown (C Burke 78), E Tweed, J McCready, G Crown Subs not used: R Brown, S Curry, J Morrow, C Burke, J Bradley
Referee: J Robinson
