Annagh United's Promotion Reversal: Crusaders' Caddell on Wardell's Impact
Crusaders manager Declan Caddell has hailed the immediate Irish League impact of “exceptional” summer signing Owen Wardell after the winger starred in their first win of the season at home to Ballymena United on Saturday. League standing: 10th in Championship, 4 pts, 1W-1D-1L from 3 games, recent form DWL.
The 20-year-old arrived at Seaview from Lithuanian outfit FK Be1 having also previously spent time on the books of Bonnyrigg Rose in his native Scotland. Wardell is hoping to follow successful Crues examples set by fellow countrymen Kieran Offord and Fraser Bryden in recent seasons by making his mark in Northern Ireland’s top-flight.
It was Wardell’s winner which secured a 2-1 success over Ballymena, while he also provided the cross which Daithi McCallion deflected into his own net. “He has been outstanding,” said Caddell on BBC Sportsound. “I tried to get him in January and couldn't, so we have been keeping tabs on him and brought him in during pre-season.
“He has been exceptional. He was one of the standout performers in pre-season and he has delivered (against Ballymena United). Our front three were excellent but Owen has stood out. He has no fear, is a bag of tricks and he can go right and left.”
Crusaders only preserved Premiership status following a promotion/relegation penalty shoot-out triumph over Annagh United last season. No team collected fewer points at home than the Crues (16) last term with the first of only four league wins at Seaview coming in November.
Caddell’s side have made a quick start to the new campaign and the Crues chief is now determined to build on solid home foundations when Portadown visit this weekend. “Last year wasn't good enough,” he added. “We were caught in a rut, we really did struggle to get out of it, but they showed character come the end of the season to escape.
“It took a penalty shoot-out to do that. We don't want to find ourselves back down there. In an ever-improving and competitive league, it's much more difficult, so the biggest lesson, which we talked about during the summer, is never take any game or situation for granted because come that final game of the season, every point matters.
“Next up, Crusaders will face Newry City AFC in their next fixture, who are currently 5th in the table. Title race: 3 points behind leaders Ards. Goals this season: 7 scored, 8 conceded (-1 goal difference).
