Soccer

Crusaders dazzle to take Europa League first leg lead over Latvian opponents

Michael Carvill celebrates his goal with team-mate Billy Joe Burns at Seaview Picture by Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press
Michael Carvill celebrates his goal with team-mate Billy Joe Burns at Seaview Picture by Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press Michael Carvill celebrates his goal with team-mate Billy Joe Burns at Seaview Picture by Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press

Europa League first qualifying round, first leg: Crusaders 3 FK Liepaja 1

STEPHEN Baxter last night punched the air with delight after his team’s Europa League win at Seaview.

The Shore Road boys turned in a fantastic performance against Latvian side FK Liepaja with Philip Lowry, Michael Carvill and Jordan Owens all on the scoresheet.

Although the visitors pulled a goal back through striker Arturs Karasausks, the Crues will still be favourites to book a money-spinning second round outing against Shakhtyor Soligorsk of Belarus or FK Sudova from Lithuania.

“I’m thrilled with the performance,” said Baxter.

“Our work-rate was excellent. But we’ll need the same again when we travel to Latvia next week.’’

The energetic Paul Heatly gave an early indication of what to expect when he exploded down the right, leaving defender Andris Raivis Jurkovskis, trailing in his wake and when he drilled in a low cross, defender Deniss Ivanovs managed to hook the ball clear from practically on the goal line.

Little Heatley then tried his luck when Carvill’s free kick fell invitingly at the back post, but he hoofed his effort high and wide.

Crusaders were asking all the early questions with Carvill capitalising on a horrible clearance from Dario Tomic and, as he bore down on goal, defender Oskars Klava produced a goal-saving challenge.

But the home faithful were celebrating on 28 minutes with Lowry’s opener. Rodney Brown’s monster throw-in caused chaos in the visiting defence and, when the ball broke to the former Derry City man, he drilled a low shot past Pavels Dorosevs.

Incredibly, Baxter’s boys scored again only seven minutes later. Jordan Forsythe combined with Lowry to set up Carvill, who drilled hard and low into the bottom corner.

The Latvians at last realised there were in danger of being totally over-run by the Irish League part-timers.

Crusaders goalkeeper Brian Jensen, the former Burnley man, known as ‘The Beast’, was forced into action for the first time seconds later when he got down smartly to beat away a 20-yard effort from Damians Kristians Torress.

And, the 42-year-old proved his worth just before the break when he brilliantly beat away a wickedly hit 30-yard free kick after Dmitrijs Hmizs had been floored by Jordan Owens.

But big Owens required only 10 minutes of the new half to put the tie to bed.

Carvill’s corner kick was helped on by the head of Coates and when the ball broke to Owens, there was only ever going to be one outcome -- his left foot drive flashing past a startled Dorosevs.

However, the home venue was stunned into silence six minutes later when giant striker Arturs Karasausks crashed home a stunning 20-yard drive after picking up a short corner from Torress.

The Latvians were then right out of luck four minutes later when Torress picked out substitute Marks Kurtiss, whose flick header came off the crossbar.

Crusaders: Jensen, Burns, Coates, Ward, Brown, Snoddy, Carvill (Beverland 85), Forsythe, Lowry (Glackin 73), Heatley (Whyte 82), Owens

Subs: Dougherty, Cushley, McClean, Nimick

FK Liepaja: Dorosevs, Klava, Strumia, Hmizs, Karasausks, Jurkovskis, Afanasjevs (Kurtiss 59), Torress, Grebis, Ivanovs, Tomic (Kigurs 71)

Subs: Ikaunieks, Krusatins, Sopots, Karklins

Referee: Anders Poulsen (Denmark)

Europa League first qualifying round, first leg: Haugesund 7 Coleraine 0

COLERAINE’S European campaign was effectively ended before it got going in Norway last night.

The home side were dominant at the Haugesund Stadion as they eased to a 7-0 win.

Three goals in the first half had the hosts in command and they built on that lead with another four unanswered goals in the second period to romp to victory.

It was always going to be an uphill test for Oran Kearney’s (above) men against a side who are already into their domestic season.

Sondre Tronstad broke the deadlock after just seven minutes and Liban Abdi made it 2-0 after 33 minutes.

Haris Hajradinovic added to Haugesund’s advantage three minutes before the break as Coleraine’s hopes of causing an upset quickly faded.

Haugesund’s dominance continued in the second period as they continued to press the weary visitors, who will hope to win back some pride in the second leg.

Europa League first qualifying round, first leg: Odd 3 Ballymena United 0

BALLYMENA United suffered a damaging blow to their European hopes in Norway.

Odd’s Stefan Mladenovic slotted the ball under goalkeeper Ross Glendinning for the opener after just 34 seconds.

Martin Erik Broberg then fired home the follow-up after Jone Samuelsen’s 53rd-minute penalty had hit the bar.

United put up a spirited display and carved out some chances of their own, but Steffen Hagen scored a third in added-time.

to give Odd a comfortable advantage to take into the second leg at Seaview next Thursday.