SNOW-GROUNDS DRAMA

The 22 year old’s first goal for the club ensured United shared the spoils in a game that was dominated by Crusaders.

However for all Crues’ possession, their only goal came from an error by United goalkeeper Ryan Brown who dropped a sliced Gary Haveron clearance, allowing Jordan Owens to put the ball into the empty net.

A mistake that left Walker as shocked as the rest of the Sky Blues faithful, he said: “It wasn’t over his head, I don’t know what happened.

“Yet again we gifted another goal, how many teams don’t earn what they get from us, it’s quite staggering.”

Overnight frost and snow had put the match in doubt, however referee Stephen Weatherall, gave the tie the go-ahead.

Crusaders started the game much better than the hosts, with the first chance of the half falling to Crues teenager Stuart Dallas, who shot wide on four minutes. Two minutes later the Crues were on the attack again as an unmarked Michael Halliday put his shot wide after a cross from Martin Donnelly.

The North Belfast side had the greater share of possession and on 18 minutes Crues’ Gareth McKeown also fired wide.

United were struggling to impose themselves on the game but could have snatched the lead on 21 minutes, after a Nathan Hanley free kick was swung in and then volleyed wide by Andy Smith.

Then a minute later a superb save by Brown from Chris Morrow’s 25 yard shot, kept the game at 0-0.

As half time approached what green patches of grass remained were soon turned white as a blizzard engulfed the Showgrounds.

The festive scene was complete as United presented Crues with a gift just before the half-time whistle.

A cross by Crusaders’ left back was sliced by Gary Haveron and as Brown attempted to collect, he dropped it and Jordan Owens pounced to gave the Crues a deserved half-time lead.

At the interval, hard work by the Ballymena ground staff to clear the lines, ensured the second half went ahead.

Early on in the second half Brown recovered from his mistake to make a great save from Eamon Donnelly’s early shot.

Gradually as the half went on, United began to settle into the task in hand and in the 76th minute they tried to force an equaliser.

Crusaders goalkeeper, Aaron Hogg attempted to pounce on a loose ball but found himself outside his box.

After he was yellow carded Hogg saw the subsequent free kick by Albert Watson, blocked by the Crues wall.

Then with five minutes remaining, half-time substitute Ryan Berry popped up in the Crusaders box to loop his header over the stranded Hogg.

The point was then secured as Brown brilliantly pulled off a one handed save from a cross by Crusaders Stuart Dallas, which was the last action of the game.

Manager Roy Walker felt that the Sky Blues made it too easy for Crusaders, He said: “You would have thought we were playing basketball, we didn’t engage the Crues in the first half and made it easy for them.”

Crusaders’ manager, Stephen Baxter rued his side’s missed chances, he said: “I’m mightily disappointed that we didn’t get over the line.

For 75 minutes of the 90 we dominated the game, then they have a shot from the edge of the box and it’s a goal.”

Baxter paid tribute to the staff at United for their efforts in making sure the game went ahead.

Ballymena: R Brown; M Smith; G Haveron; A Watson; A Stewart; G Taggart; A Smith; G McCutcheon; M Surgenor; E Murray N Hanley. Subs: L McCaughern; R Berry; M McDowell; D Gage; D Nelson.