Declan Caddell hails the Crusaders star who has ‘stuck out like a real sore thumb’ so far this season

Crusaders pick up first home points of the season thanks to Fraser Bryden’s late penalty against Ballymena United

Declan Caddell could have been forgiven for thinking it was going to be another one of those days for his side as they headed towards the 90 minute mark against Ballymena United.

The Crues had dominated large parts of the game at Seaview but found themselves trailing to Calvin McCurry’s goal five minutes into the second half.

To their credit the hosts didn’t let their heads drop and got their rewards in the last minute as Fraser Bryden fired in from the penalty spot after Kym Nelson’s handball much to take him on to six goals for the season.

And while Caddell was delighted with Bryden’s contribution he singled out another new boy for “sticking out like a sore thumb” so far this season.

“Fraser is the most honest player that I’ve been involved with…whether that’s playing or managing, he will give you everything,” said the Crues boss.

“And he’ll keep going and keep going and keep going. That’s his character. And I thought he was excellent today and obviously the two boys either side of him were a real handful too.

“Adam Brooks, who we have shifted out there, it was probably unfamiliar for him and maybe he didn’t do the damage in earlier games…but I thought he was exceptional there this afternoon.

“And Elliot Dunlop, for me, has probably been the highlight of the season so far. He’s stuck out like a real sore thumb. I know he caused Ballymena problems all day long. But I think it was a whole team performance.”

Bryden’s late spot kick earned the Crues their first home points of the season and Caddell insisted it was no more than what they deserved.

“Yeah, you do start to think this isn’t going to be our day when it pans out like that,” said the Crusaders boss.

“The first 45 minutes I thought was total domination. It was chance after chance after chance.

“You went at half-time going, and while you’re on top in games like that, you need to take opportunities. You need to take them. And we didn’t.

“The lapse of concentration at the back cost us and Ballymena had a 5-10 minute spell after that, where they came into the game.

“The positive thing for me is it would have been very easy for the players to down tools after going 1-0 down and feel sorry for themselves. But they didn’t.

“They went again and that’s young, hungry players. There’s no fear. They want to win football matches.

“So, for me, it was really positive. I think even at 89 minutes, when we got that equaliser, we were still pushing for the winner, which was really positive for me too. It shows the mentality and the character of the boys in the changing room.

“I’m proud of the players and the performance they put in. We talked about Dunganon two weeks ago and that performance.

“Today was better, but just disappointed they didn’t get the three points because they deserved the three points.”