Result: Ballymena 2-4 Crusaders
Beverland, Owens, Caddell and Heatley for Crues
McMurray and Friel for Ballymena
Ballymena United 2-4 Crusaders
So the Crues clinch part one of an unlikely five-timer. If they do go to win other trophies this season, it's doubtful any of those triumphs will be as comfortable as this one was tonight. Thanks for your company and we'll be back on text commentary duty in Saturday's Premiership games.
Ballymena United 2-4 Crusaders
Quote MessageYou've got to capitalise when you are on top and see it out when you are not. Unfortunately, we gave ourselves a mountain to climb, conceding three goals that we could have done better with. Yet we had great chances to get it back to 3-2 before the break but we didn't take those. We came out like a house on fire in the second half and deservedly got right back into the game which we expected to do. Then big Jensen makes a great save from Kevin Braniff and then go down at the other end and make it 4-1 and that kills the game. Congratulations to Crusaders. Well done to them but I'm very proud of my own players in how they responded and the great support we had tonight.
David Jeffrey, Ballymena United manager
Ballymena United 2-4 Crusaders
Quote MessageThere was something in us tonight. We had that focus and that determination to make sure we got our first trophy in a wee while. I thought we were magnificent. After the first half, if it had been seven goals you would have said, 'fair enough'. That's how good we were. We blew them out of the water. To be fair, Ballymena rallied in the 10 minutes before half-time and came back at us after the break but we were really good tonight. Getting to the ball first, making the right runs and getting in the right places to score.
Stephen Baxter, Crusaders manager
Ballymena United 2-4 Crusaders
Crusaders had won the Shield on six previous occasions.
Image source, BBC SportCrusaders win the County Antrim Shield for the first time since 2010
Ballymena United 2-4 Crusaders
Gavin Whyte is named man of the match to maintain his brilliant run of form for Stephen Baxter's side.
Ballymena United 2-4 Crusaders
Crusaders complete their first County Antrim Shield success in eight seasons. Their seventh triumph in the competition. The game was effectively over at half-time after the goals from Beverland, Owens and Caddell. One trophy won, four to go for the Crues.
Crusaders win County Antrim Shield
Image source, BBC SportCounty Antrim Shield Result
Ballymena United 2-4 Crusaders
Some silliness with three minutes to go as David Cushley blatantly pushes Conor McCloskey out over the sideline and the Ballymena sub shows his displeasure. Both men booked. Cushley fortunate not to see red as that could have done McCloskey some damage.
Ballymena United 2-4 Crusaders
Sub Friel pulls a goal back after moment of comedy in the Crues defence. Sean Ward attempts to nod back to keeper Jensen but the Dane is already way off his line and Friel hammers into the empty net.
Cathair Friel grabs a consolation goal for Ballymena
Ballymena United 1-4 Crusaders
And another change with Ballymena defender Matthew Shevlin withdrawn. His unwise back heel conceded possession in the build-up to Owens' second Crues goal. The young fellow will live and learn.
Ballymena United 1-4 Crusaders
After having a shot blocked moments later, Ballymena's William Faulkner is hauled off along with McMurray on 75 minutes. Joe McKinney and Cathair Friel are introduced by David Jeffrey
Ballymena United 1-4 Crusaders
Stephen Baxter makes a predictable change in the 73rd minute as he withdraws one of his prize assets Gavin Whyte, Mind you, his replacement Jordan Forsythe is a pretty decent player.
Ballymena United 1-4 Crusaders
Just when Ballymena are starting to raise a gallop, the hopes are surely killed off as Heatley fires home from close range after being set up by Snoddy. It's Heatley's 17th goal of the campaign.
Heatley grabs Crusaders fourth of the night
Ballymena United 1-3 Crusaders
After his horrible first-half miss, Kevin Braniff has another great chance for Ballymena but he fires straight at Jensen after bursting clear of the Crues defence. The wind seems to have got up after half-time and it is causing a few problems for the visitors.
Ballymena United 1-3 Crusaders
McMurray looks to have another chance after a long delivery causes confusion in the Crues defence but the ball gets stuck in the Ballymena player's feet before being hoofed clear.
Ballymena United 1-3 Crusaders
Ballymena's players suddenly look energised. Granted there are no signs of panic in the Crues ranks but we have a contest once more.
Ballymena United 1-3 Crusaders
Johnny McMurray has given Ballymena a sniff at getting back into this final as he hammers in a reply on 55 minutes.
Johnny McMurray gets Ballymena United on the scoresheet
Ballymena United 0-3 Crusaders
Watch the goals which gave Crusaders a 3-0 lead over Ballymena in the Shield final.
Crusaders score three in the first half
Ballymena United 0-3 Crusaders
Ballymena have an escape as Philip Lowry has an effort ruled out for offside two minutes after the resumption. No great signs of a home revival, it must be said. Their 13-game unbeaten home record is in serious peril.
Ballymena United 0-3 Crusaders
The action resumes at the Showgrounds but Ballymena need the mother of all comebacks to get back into this contest.