Adam Brooks Hat-Trick Lifts Crusaders Past 10-Man Portadown

Adam Brooks scored a hat-trick as Crusaders defeated 10-man Portadown 3-2 at Seaview, delivering the first treble of the new Irish Premiership season. BBC Sport NI reported that the 22-year-old struck twice in the first half and completed his hat-trick shortly after the interval.

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Brooks opened the scoring in the 11th minute, converting Kurtis Forsythe's cross from close range. He added a second on 32 minutes after moving between two defenders to meet Owen Wardell's delivery and guide the ball past goalkeeper Aaron McCarey. Portadown's task became harder when Finn Flanagan received two yellow cards during the first half.

Portadown responded after the break through Baris Altintop, but Brooks restored Crusaders' two-goal advantage after intercepting a loose back pass from Jack Scott. He rounded McCarey before finishing. Eamon Fyfe then scored Portadown's second, although Crusaders resisted the remaining pressure to secure consecutive home victories.

The performance was Brooks' first scoring contribution of the campaign after he had not found the net against Cliftonville or Ballymena. He joined Crusaders from Queen of the South on a two-year deal in 2025 and scored eight goals during his first season, when he was often deployed from the left or alongside Fraser Bryden.

Bryden's summer move to English League Two club Chesterfield left Brooks to operate through the middle. Bryden had scored 23 goals in his only season in north Belfast, so Crusaders entered the campaign needing a new central goal threat. Manager Declan Caddell told BBC Sport NI that Brooks' movement had been evident in pre-season and the opening three matches.

The loss left David Jeffrey without a point from his first three matches as Portadown manager. Altintop and Fyfe supplied Portadown's first goals of the season after scoreless defeats by Carrick Rangers and Dungannon Swifts, but defensive errors proved costly at Seaview. Portadown next face Coleraine, Cliftonville, Larne and Linfield, while Crusaders can build on a second straight home win.