Rainey accepts the blame after blowing victory
CRUSADERS striker Davy Rainey shouldered the blame for his team's failure to top the JJB Sports Premiership table following a pulsating 90 minutes against battling Dungannon Swifts at Seaview.
Lethal Rainey, the league's top goal scorer, was guilty of an embarrassing missed opportunity midway through the second half – one that would have certainly guaranteed a full quota of points.
After skipping round the excellent Dwyne Nelson, Rainey contrived to thump his effort against a post, instead of rolling the ball into an empty net.
And, Stephen Baxter's boys paid the ultimate price as the Swifts turned the game on its head with Michael Hegarty and Mark McAllister wiping out Rainey's first half cracker.
It was left to little Martin Donnelly to salvage a point with a stunning free kick.
"I'll take most of the responsibility for dropping two points," said Rainey.
"Strikers take the credit when they score the goals, so when they get the chances and don't take them, they deserve to shoulder the blame.
"It should have been the killer goal. I thought it was in, but the next thing I heard a thud, the ball hitting the post.
"I am really disappointed with myself. I feel I've let the team down today.
"What made it even worse was when scores filtered through from across town (Windsor Park) and Ballymena. It was a chance for us to go top of the league again, so we were all gutted."
Nevertheless, Rainey's 35th minute opener was special . . . he just doesn't do simple goals!
After picking up a pass from Donnelly, Rainey rode a tackle on the edge of the penalty area before unleashing a stunning drive that arrowed into the top corner, giving Nelson no chance.
"I wish I could score three simple goals every week, instead of one from 20 yards," added Rainey.
"Martin managed to slip the ball to me. I was tempted to have a go with my right foot, but cut back on to my left and just let it go."
Swifts had Nelson to thank for keeping them in the game, pulling of a series of amazing saves.
The first half was soured by an accidental sickening clash of heads involving Swifts defensive pair, Adam McMinn and John Paul Gallagher, who lay motionless on the ground for almost five minutes. He was eventually stretchered off by the medical team and taken to hospital requiring an breathing apparatus.
Crusaders again squandered numerous chances before Swifts brought relief to the small band of supporters on 69 minutes. Marc McCann whipped a dangerous cross from the right and Hegarty stole in unnoticed to head past Chris Keenan.
They appeared to have stolen the points when McAllister for once got the better of Colin Coates and Davy Magowan to poke home a low shot 13 minutes from time.
However, in another dramatic twist, Swifts defender Terry Fitzpatrick was dismissed by referee Davy Malcolm for hauling down Rainey on the edge of the box. From the resulting free kick, Donnelly smashed a stunning left-footer past Nelson.
“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy against a team that has played regularly in the Setanta Cup over the past few seasons,” added Rainey.
“In saying that, we certainly didn’t reach the heights of some of our previous performances, but we still managed to grind out a result.
“On reflection, we should have been two or three up before they scored. It was just one of those days.
“The good thing is we didn’t drop the heads when we went behind and, after we equalised from that great free kick from wee Martin, we could have stolen it at the end.
“The free kick was special. He does it every night in training. Martin has a real gifted left foot. It was a top class finish.”
Swifts boss John Cunningham took charge of the team for the first time, and he was satisfied with his boys’ efforts.
“I was disappointed we didn’t hold on and get the win,” he said.
“The boys did put in a very good shift, they worked extremely hard, but the fitness levels of the team has to go up another two or three notches. It was an honest display and I was happy with that.”
His opposite number, Stephen Baxter, admitted it was points lost.
“Dungannon created three chances and scored two. We created 20 chances and scored two,” roared Baxter.
“It was a great game of football. They (Dungannon) will be thrilled going back up the road with a point.”
And, on Rainey’s crucial miss, Baxter added: “David scored a goal of the highest quality – but he missed six by his own admission.
“He will be disappointed. I played in that position and I remember scoring three one week, but going home annoyed with the two I missed.
“That’s what strikers are like. He will be disappointed, but he is a wonderful professional with a great attitude to the game. He’s also a quality person off the park and I’ve no doubt he will score a bag of goals in games to come.”
Crusaders: Keenan, McKeown, Coates, Magowan, McBride (Doherty 80), Coulter, Emerson (McAllister 76), Black, Donnelly, Dickson, Rainey. Subs: Bowers, Spence, Arthurs. Scorers: Rainey, Donnelly.
Dungannon: Nelson, Fitzpatrick, Gallagher (Hegarty 44), Montgomery, Murphy, McMinn (Peden 50), Tomelty (Baker 57), McAree, McCann, McAllister, McGerrigan. Subs: McKee, McManus. Scorers: Hegarty, McAllister. Dismissed: Fitzpatrick.
Referee: D Malcolm (Bangor).
Man of the match: Donnelly.
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Wednesday 15 February 2012
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