Crusaders legend Jordan Owens scores last gasp goal in European Play-Off to give Stephen Baxter perfect leaving present
Crusaders 3 Coleraine 2
Crusaders striker Jordan Owens claimed the vital goal that secured his team's place in European competition
Crusaders sealed European qualification with a 3-2 win over Coleraine
Jordan Owens’ injury time goal made it a fond farewell for Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter in the lucrative, dramatic European Play-off Final against Coleraine at Seaview.
The electronic scoreboard at the City end of the ground said it all even before a ball was kicked. ‘Thank You Stephen Baxter’, it beamed, although he will be in charge for the Shore Road team’s European venture in July as new boss Declan Caddell hasn’t the necessary credentials.
This was always going to be a romantic occasion for the man who spent the last 19 years at the Crues, becoming the most successful boss in the history of the north Belfast club, winning a staggering 17 trophies.
It was a day of nostalgia because Paul Heatley was also making his final appearance in the famous red and black shirt, having joined the Crues in 2012. He had the honour of captaining the side on his last hurrah.
In the eighth year on the European play-offs and, with a pot of gold up for grabs, it was the first time both clubs had made the final -- but it was the Crues who were popping the champagne, they struck it rich!
The Crusaders players celebrate a spot in European competition
It was pulsating stuff. Jamie McGonigle shot the Bannsiders into an early lead, but the Crues hit back with a 60-second double whammy before the interval, courtesy of goals from Jarlath O’Rourke and Daniel Larmour.
But Josh Carson’s second half goal of the season contender looked like sending the game into extra-time, until that man Owens struck with practically the last kick – you just couldn’t have written the script as it was the big man’s 699th game for the club.
Baxter made only one change to the team that defeated Carrick Rangers in last week’s semi-final, preferring Paul Heatley to Stewart Nixon.
It was hardly surprising Kearney stuck by the side the demolished ailing Glentoran at the Oval. Conor McKendry did return to the substitutes’ bench having recovered from injury.
The Bannsiders got off to a dream start with McGonigle requiring merely five minutes to open the scoring. Dean Jarvis’ throw in was cleverly nodded on by Matthew Shevlin for the former Derry City man, who drilled a low shot under the body of Johnny Tuffey.
It was an emotional day for Stephen Baxter
They almost did it again seconds later with McGonigle taking off on a surging left-wing dash, but Shevlin was only inches away from converting the striker’s cross.
Crusaders were clearly shell-shocked by their opponents’ brisk start. They then conceded a needless free kick 20-yards from goal, when Larmour barged into McGonigle, only for Josh Carson to blast his effort over the top.
Baxter’s boys had the first sniff at goal on 23 minutes. Ross Clarke’s penetrating run was brought to an abrupt end by the outstretched boot of Jack Scott and, when Ben Kennedy hit the 25-yard free kick, it inched past the post with goalkeeper Rory Brown beaten.
But the home team turned the game on its head in a dramatic 60 second spell, with O’Rourke levelling nine minutes before the interval.
Philip Lowry and Heatley combined to carve open the Coleraine defence, before the former Dungannon Swifts player O'Rourke, curled in a beauty with his right foot.
It got even better for the Crues. Forsythe then whipped in a free kick from the half-way line that caused mayhem in the Coleraine defence and, when the ball broke to Larmour, his scuffed shot appeared to ricochet off O’Donnell before spinning into the net.
Crusaders roared from the traps after the restart, looking for a killer third strike, with Heatley firing high and wide before Robbie Weir tested Brown from distance.
But the Bannsiders missed a glorious chance to level on the hour.
6Crusaders' Adam Leckey in action with Coleraine’s Stephen Lowry
Jarvis’s delicious pass picked out McGonigle, whose first touch took him past Tuffey, only for the usually lethal striker to fire into the side netting from a narrow angle.
The visitors were level with that Carson wonder strike 20 minutes from time. Conor McKendry’s cross was partially cleared by Lowry to the midfielder, who from fully 35 yards thundered the ball into the top corner.
Coleraine almost undid their good work three minutes later when Adam Lecky headed home a Forsythe free kick, but the big striker had strayed into an offside position.
Both teams then had big chances to forge in to lead. McKendry tried his luck with a 30-yard shot that was somehow shovelled away by Tuffey, then seconds later at the other end, Ross Clarke burst through the middle before letting fly, that brought a miraculous save from Brown.
With the clock ticking down, Coleraine had a chance to steal it on 90 minutes when McKendry picked up an Andy Scott pass, only to hoof his shot into the side netting.
But it was the Crues who nailed it two minutes into added time. Clarke’s corner kick ping-ponged inside the six-yard box and when the ball fell to Forsythe, his low shot came off Owens and then Coleraine's Andy Scott on the line before ballooning into the net - incredible stuff.
CRUSADERS: Tuffey, Weir, Lowry, Kennedy (Winchester 44, Owens 85), Lecky, Forsythe, O’Rourke, Larmour, Heatley (Nixon 77), Clarke, Barr.
Unused subs: Williamson, Joshua, Boyd, James.
COLERAINE: Brown, Kane, Jarvis (Lowry 80), Kelly, Shevlin, Carson, O’Donnell, Glackin, J Scott (McKendry 46), McGonigle, A Scott.
Unused subs: Gallagher, Lowry, McDaid, Lynch, Cole, Gaston.
REFEREE: Tony Clarke.
Man of the match: Daniel Larmour.
Match rating: 8/10.
Stephen Baxter and Paul Heatley get their dream ending. Crusaders have qualified for Europe!
Who did it deflect off? Jordan Owens says it was him! I'm not sure, but the important thing is Crusaders have the lead in stoppage time
Jordan Owens is on for the Crues
Crusaders are now in command.
He receives a standing ovation from the Seaview faithful. He has had an incredible career
It was late and high - it should have been a straight red card.
No. Adam Lecky is offside. The flag is up and the goal is ruled out.
His 25-yard shot finds the top corner of the net. Superb stuff from the winger. It's all square once again
