Goals...goals...and more goals!

Crusaders were 3-0 up but gave away two quick goals and it is now all to play for in the second half. Carrick manager Stephen Baxter will be revitalised.

I, on the other hand, am now off for a lie down for 15 minutes.

That Donal Rocks goal five minutes before the break will hopefully bring a fresh spark to a game which, up until that point, had more of an end-of-season feel to it rather than an opening day fixture.

What sort of response can Paddy McLaughlin's side muster after the break?

And that's the whistle for half-time.

You'd have to say that's a real sucker punch for the Ports, who have had the better of the game with some big chances for Eamon Fyfe and Josh Ukek.

The visitors, on the other hand, have taken the lead completely against the run of play. Not that the away support will care one bit.

Jack Scott pulls one back for Carrick from the spot

Liam Beckett
Sportsound summariser

That was a super cross and a hell of a good finish from Amos.

How is it not 3-3?

Musa Dibaga pulls off a wonder save from a close-range Luke McCullough effort when it looked certain to hit the net.

What entertainment the fans have had today, and we are still in the first half.

That's a lovely bit of play from Niall Currie's men.

James Teelan finds Eamon Fyfe in the middle, who then switches it nicely out to Josh Ukek on the left.

The winger drives at Ryan Cooney and has a pop at the far top corner... It's miles over the bar, but you can't fault him for trying.

Finley Thorndike becomes the third Crusaders player to score on his debut, stroking home after a lovely move.

Fraser Bryden celebrates the opening goal of the season at Seaview

Image source, Pacemaker

Matthew Clarke's full-length slide catches Paul McGovern and the Ballymena defender picks up a yellow card as a result.

Nice little one-two in midfield between Josh Ukek and Eamon Fyfe, but just as Fyfe tries to slide James Teelan through on goal, Daniel Larmour’s alive to it and steps across to cut out the danger.

David Jeffrey
Former Larne, Linfield & Ballymena manager on BBC Sport NI

Crusaders have been fantastic and the difference has been the pace and penetration. They have been very direct but not the way we have seen Crusaders before, everything is on the ground.

Adam Brooks marks his Crues debut with a goal to double the home side's lead.

Chants of “we forgot you were here” roll around Shamrock Park from the home fans towards the away end - and you can understand why.

Declan Devine’s men haven’t given their supporters much to shout about so far.

Ballymena's first decent chance almost leads to a goal as Ben Kennedy collects a low cross from Calvin McCurry and, with his back to goal, tries a clever backheel which hits the side netting.

The Ballymena support on the far side of the ground believe it's a goal - no such luck on this occasion.