Cup hopes not Over

The best part of two months off over the Xmas period is never ideal for a team of Crusader's age, er, experience. However, Crusaders brushed this concern aside with a battling victory in the mud of Overton.

The game went ahead at the third time of asking and with Crusaders doubly disadvantaged by the compulsory switch to Overton's ground and the availability of a weaker squad than had been assembled for the previous two cancelled fixtures. Despite this, Crusaders started well and took the lead in the 4th minute when Sam Carr whipped in an in-swinging freekick which bounced off a melee of keeper, defenders and attackers to dribble over the home team's goal line. This instilled belief into the Crusaders team and provided the freedom for them to reacquaint themselves with the game of football.

With conditions somewhat tricky, both through wind and ground conditions, it was not the day for free flowing football, but Crusaders focussed on playing in the right areas and pieced together a number of promising attacks whilst maintaining a no-nonsense approach to clearing their lines.