Sports Direct Premiership: Newry City v Crusaders (Saturday, 3pm)
Crusaders boss Stephen Baxter expects a “tricky” trip to south Down when his side meet Newry City on Saturday at the Showgrounds.
Baxter will make the journey with his players in jovial mood after their club record 9-0 demolition job of Carrick Rangers on Tuesday night at Seaview to go second.
Ben Kennedy scoring four goals in a devasting 19 minutes of first-half action. The manager sees Kennedy as like a “new signing” heading into this weekend’s game and beyond.
“Losing a player of Ben’s quality last season was always going to be difficult, especially after the stellar season he enjoyed the year before.
“But look, we haven’t seen the best of him yet, I would say he is operating at only 70-80 per cent match fitness at the moment and it’s about managing expectation.
"He scored a couple of amazing goals (against Carrick) and I feel that he can stay on it now going into Newry at the weekend and beyond, he has the potential to make a real difference,” he said.
Read more:
- Ben Kennedy grabs four goals as Crusaders crush Carrick at Seaview
- Josh Robinson determined to keep proving doubters wrong with Crusaders
- Barney McKeown admits expectations are higher for Newry
Having won all their three games so far this season, averaging over four goals and game, and only conceding one goal so far, there may be a few gamblers betting on red and black to be on top of the pile come May, but Baxter is taking nothing for granted on Saturday’s trip.
“There are no easy games when you travel to Newry. They have had a bright start to the season and will be looking at their home form to get themselves as far up the table as possible," said Baxter.
“They have some exciting young talent coming through and I’m looking forward to a tough game at the weekend.”
Although the Crues won all three head-to-heads against City last term, they could have easily lost at the Showgrounds encounter back in August last year.
Daniel Larmour and Philip Lowry scored the second half goals as the north Belfast side recovered from going behind to a Daniel Hughes effort early on.
Eighth placed Newry have made a stuttering start to the season but will be largely pleased to have six points on the board after four games.
Having defeated Carrick and Glenavon on their travels, they will feel a little aggrieved at losing both home games. The 3-0 loss to Cliftonville may have been somewhat expected, however, the opening day 3-0 defeat to new boys Loughgall will sting.
Manager Gary Boyle has genuine quality in winger Lorcan Forde, the scorer of two goals already this season. The 23-year-old certainly has a bright future ahead of him.
Crusaders will be bringing another starlet brought in from the Showgrounds over the summer in the form of winger James Teelan.
Teelan had an impressive season for Newry last season and tempted Baxter into a move for his services.
Having scored in Tuesday’s thrashing over Carrick, Teelan seems to be the ideal long-term successor to evergreen Paul Heatley.
