Crusaders and Rosenborg shared the spoils in the first leg of this Europa Conference League Qualifier. It was a thrilling encounter that will go down to the death next week.

The first 45 minutes were played at a frantic tempo, the home fans getting behind their side as the Crues came flying out of the blocks. Ben Kennedy came close to opening the scoring in just the fourth minute as he produced a dangerous run down the right-hand flank.

Kennedy was played in by an excellent ball from captain Billy Joe Burns, but the midfielder was unable to convert his effort. His curled strike forced a strong save from Andre Hansen, who parried the ball behind for a corner. Kennedy came close again just five minutes later as he was played in on goal by Paul Heatley. Kennedy was unable to gather the ball effectively, and was forced wide by the Rosenborg defence.

In the 11^th minute, Crusaders broke the deadlock after a brilliant opening ten minutes. Centre-Forward Adam Lecky used his height and physicality in controlling a bobbling ball well inside the Rosenborg box. Lecky was then able to flick the ball up to Philip Lowry, who struck the ball first-time on the half-volley, his shot powering through a crowded six-yard box and past Hansen. Crusaders were rewarded for their bright start with a goal, and it was no less than they deserved.

Just four minutes later, it looked as if Crusaders would double their lead, this time through last week’s goalscorer, Paul Heatley. Jordan Forsythe played a wonderful pass over the heads of the Rosenborg defence, setting Heatley in down the left-hand side.

The winger struck his effort cleanly at the keeper’s near-post, where Hansen was able to get a hand to the ball, parry it against the post, and see the ball go out for a corner. Hansen had made a meal out of the save attempt, and was relieved to see the ball go out of play.

Rosenborg, to their credit, responded very well to this early onslaught, and began to dominate possession. The Norwegians looked confident in possession and were employing a patient response to this Crusaders side, who looked to use the crowd to channel some energy.

Rosenborg turned their possessional control into a goal in the 29^th minute. Carlo Holse produced a wonderful piece of skill on the edge of the Crusaders box, nutmegging the goalscorer Lowry, and found himself in enough space to set himself for a shot.

With the ball bobbling, Holse struck the ball with so much power to Johnny Tuffey’s left hand side. Tuffey was able to get a hand to the strike, but it wasn’t enough to keep the ball out of the back of the net. Tuffey will feel disappointed he was unable to keep the effort out, but it was such a powerful strike.

Rosenborg continued to enjoy much of the ball, and were awarded a rather soft penalty in the 40^th minute after referee Evangelos Manouchos judged Daniel Larmour to have handled the ball inside the box following a long, looping cross. With no VAR in this competition, the penalty stood, and Ole Soeter slotted the ball calmly to Tuffey’s left, giving the keeper the eyes and sending him the wrong way.

It was a disastrous ending to what was overall a good half for Crusaders. They will feel hard-done-by with the penalty decision, but they continued to push for an equaliser throughout the second half.

Rosenborg started the second half strongly, coming close on two occasions through Carlo Holse, who proved himself a real problem for the Crues. In the 60^th minute, Holse struck an effort from 30 yards, his strike rising just above the cross-bar.

Just two minutes later, Holse came close to increasing Rosenborg’s advantage, this time from 10 yards out. Winger Jayden Nelson produced an excellent run down the left-hand-side and was able to get the better of Billy Joe Burns, driving into the box before findind Holse, who was unable to control his shot on target.

Crusaders, against the run of play, equalised in the 74^th minute of the game. Jordan Owens’ introduction just seconds earlier was pivotal in the build-up to the goal, the centre forward using his strength to hold up the ball and lay it off to Philip Lowry. Lowry was able to take the speed out of the pass and tee up Billy Joe Burns, who struck the ball goalwards with insane power.

The shot, however, took a wicked deflection off of Erland Reitan, the ball hitting the defenders back and then sailing into the bottom-right-hand corner. Hansen was rooted to the spot following the deflection, and suddenly Crusaders were level in this game.

It would go on to be a tense closing 15 minutes, with both sides creating some dangerous chances, with Crusaders coming closest through Paul Heatley on two occasions. It was a dramatic final five minutes, with Crusaders feeling they should have had a series of corners and even a penalty.

The game ultimately finished 2-2, this tie balanced on a knife edge heading into next week’s second leg. Crusaders did well to manage the game, suffering a real blow on the stroke of half time. They would be on the receiving end of an onslaught at the start of the second half, but did well to battle it out for the draw. They will feel that they really could have won this game, were it not for a series of excellent saves from Andre Hansen.