Limavady United secured their first points of the season with an impressive 2-1 win away to Crusaders at Seaview, in front of 1,012 fans, after four defeats from their opening four fixtures.
Crusaders started the brighter of the two sides, Elliot Dunlop forcing an early save from Marty Gallagher, but it was Limavady who struck first after 28 minutes — Alfie Gaston did brilliantly to reach the byline before cutting the ball back for Philip Lowry, who volleyed home off the inside of the post. Crusaders struggled to find their rhythm again before the break, and their afternoon got harder still four minutes into the second half, when Philip Lowry’s cross found Jamie McGonigle inside the area; the striker held off Kurtis Forsythe before firing past Shea Callister to make it 2-0.
Crusaders pulled a goal back in style through Dunlop, who cut inside from the left and curled an unstoppable shot beyond Gallagher on 69 minutes, setting up a nervy finish. The home side pushed hard for an equaliser, and Harry Jewitt-White’s deflected strike crashed back off the crossbar, but Limavady held firm to see out a first win of the campaign. Stephen Lowry was named player of the game.
It’s a result that will give real belief to Paul Owens’ side after a difficult start to life back in the Premiership — see the Match Centre for the latest fixtures and results.