Loughgall have a plan to stop red-hot Crusaders, warns Villagers chief Dean Smith

Dean Smith insists his Loughgall team will play with confidence when they tackle Crusaders

The last time they ran out at Seaview, a rampant Crusaders put nine goals past Carrick Rangers, so newly promoted Loughgall could be forgiven for travelling to north Belfast with fear on Saturday.

That is only natural given the threats that Stephen Baxter’s side possess, but the Villagers have a remarkable quality of their own – a skill of proving people wrong.

No one will give them a chance of securing a Premiership win on the Shore Road against the unbeaten early League leaders, but Loughgall boss Dean Smith is a believer. Their focus is on winning every game, regardless of how daunting the task is.

And the squad which has recorded wins over Newry City and Dungannon Swifts will look to exploit any chink in Crusaders’ armour.

“We will give Crusaders respect, as we do all teams, but we will have a plan to stop them,” said Smith.

“This is the exciting bit for us, it’s the reason why we worked so hard last season.

“We should be excited rather than fearful going to Seaview.

“We worked our backsides off to play these teams home and away.

“People will laugh but we go out to win every game. It’s not in our DNA to play for a draw.

“There’s plenty to fear, but we must have a game plan.

“Crusaders are a force to be reckoned with and have the longest-serving manager in the world. It’s a big ask but not an impossible one.”

With seven points on the board already, the Championship winners can be pleased with their start.

Their season won’t be shaped by what happens at venues like Seaview. But just as Carrick secured an unlikely point at Linfield, Loughgall will relish the chance to floor a big hitter.

“The boys have shown a good togetherness