Reid’s late strike snatches victory for Crusaders at the Oval

Aaron Reid’s 88th‑minute strike gave Crusaders a dramatic FT 2‑1 Irish Premiership win over Glens at the Oval, sealing all three points for Declan Caddell’s side after a hard‑fought encounter. Owen Wardell had put the visitors ahead in the first half, while Ben Gallagher levelled on 68 minutes.

Early pressure and the opening goal

Glens threatened within two minutes when a long diagonal from right to left was headed back across the goal by Joshua Daniels, only for Gallagher to fire wide. On 18 minutes Daniels crossed superbly from the left into the path of Ryan Cooney, whose deep run fell short and resulted in a goal‑kick. Three minutes later Josh Kelly’s right‑hand cross struck the underside of the crossbar, and Graham Kelly slid in the Crusaders defence to clear a close‑range Gallagher effort.

Wardell then broke the deadlock, finding space in the box and slotting the ball past Billy Crellin to give the visitors a deserved lead. The hosts pressed for an equaliser, with Ross Clarke heading from five yards and the ball being cleared, while the Crusaders’ defence held firm.

Second‑half drama and the late winner

Just before the break, Elliot Dunlop drove down the left and crossed from the by‑line, allowing Wardell to tuck home at the back post and extend the lead. The second half saw Glens create chances, but it was Crusaders who struck again when Aaron Reid, introduced as a substitute, rounded Crellin at the left post and slotted home from an acute angle with two minutes remaining.

Glentoran’s response came after the hour mark when substitute Joe Thomson supplied Cooney on the right; Cooney’s precise cross found Gallagher at the back post, and he headed home to make it 2‑2, only for Reid’s winner to restore the Crusaders’ advantage.

Declan Caddell’s side have now won their past three games, a run that will please the manager and the Crues’ supporters. Declan Devine, Glentoran’s boss, will be left pondering how his side squandered a raft of chances despite the pressure they applied throughout the match.

The victory secures all three points for Crusaders in the Irish Premiership and underlines the impact of a dogged display at the Oval, with Reid’s late heroics proving decisive in a tightly contested encounter.