FOOTBALL: Baxter hopes lightning strikes twice
STEPHEN Baxter will hold no fears going to Shamrock Park tonight despite facing an injury crisis.
A number of Crusaders' squad are struggling to make the JJB Sports Irish Cup quarter-final replay with Portadown.
On Saturday the two sides fought out a 1-1 draw at Seaview, with Jordan Owens cancelling out Kevin Braniff's opener.
Baxter remains confident his side can progress to the semi-finals – where they will meet the winners of tonight's other replay between Ballymena United and Glenavon – especially if they can replicate last season's cup performance at Shamrock.
The Crues marched to a 5-2 quarter-final victory last March en route to lifting the trophy, and Baxter would love a repeat in 2010.
"We played some great football that day and deserved to go through," he said.
"It was a massive win for us and sets us up nicely for the rest of the competition.
"Obviously we went on to win the cup so we would love a repeat. We will go there with confidence and try and play the same brand of football."
Reflecting on the injuries – Mark Dickson, David Rainey and Chris Morrow all look like missing tonight's game - Baxter added: "They make this tie more difficult. It is a tough enough place to go to with a full squad, so when you are missing people it heightens the task.
"So I might have to turn to a few of the younger lads, and hopefully they can take their chance."
Portadown boss Ronnie McFall believes his side are more than deserving of tonight's replay following their performance at Seaview.
"I think we merit another bite at it. I thought we played some decent football on Saturday and on another day we would have progressed," he said.
"The main thing is that we are still in the cup and still have a chance of reaching the semi-finals.
McFall has his own injury concerns for tonight's replay, with Gary McCutcheon and Sean Mackle both struggling with hamstring injuries.
"The schedule has taken its toll on the players," McFall added.
"When you play so many games in a short period players pick up injuries. That's what has happened here. "
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 14 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North west
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Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
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