Crusaders 1 Ballymena U 0
Crusaders eased into the Final of Paddy Power Co Antrim Shield against Linfield on 1 December courtesy of a ninth minute penalty from Aaron Black after Mark Dickson was upended in the box. But first half hero Black turned villain when a second penalty in the second half was well saved by Nelson in Ballymena goal. Crusaders should have really won by a bigger margin only for some fine goal keeping from Nelson..


Ballymena U 2 Crusaders 0
A game played in horrendous conditions storm force winds and driving rain saw the home side adapt better to the conditions, in the first half with the gale at their backs Crusaders found it difficult to penetrate a strong Ballymena defence and it came as a shock when the home side took the lead in the 29th minute when Cushley broke on the left and crossed for Smyth to tap home from close range, McConnell had a great chance to put the home side further ahead just before half time but shot wide.

Crusaders piled on the pressure at the start of the second half and the home side looked content to soak up the pressure but it was them who put the issue beyond doubt when Smiths shot broke for Cushley to fire home from 12 yards.
Try as they might Crusaders could not get on the scoresheet and Nelson defied them on a number of occasions especially from Jordan Owens who had a couples of great efforts well saved by Nelson.