Adam Brooks marked his emergence as Crusaders' new attacking focal point by scoring the opening hat-trick of the Irish Premiership season in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Portadown at Seaview on Saturday. The 22-year-old Scottish striker's three-goal haul helped the north Belfast side secure back-to-back home wins and maintain their early-season momentum, though the Ports mounted a spirited comeback after being reduced to 10 men.
Crusaders faced a significant challenge in replacing Fraser Bryden, the prolific Scottish striker who departed after one season to join English League Two outfit Chesterfield during the summer transfer window. Bryden had delivered 23 goals during his sole campaign in north Belfast, establishing himself as the club's primary attacking threat and earning a move across the Irish Sea. His departure left manager Declan Caddell searching for a new focal point in the forward line, with many questioning whether the club could maintain their top-flight status without his goal-scoring prowess.
The solution emerged from within the squad, in the form of another Scottish talent. Brooks, who arrived from Queen of the South on a two-year contract during the same summer window as Bryden, has now stepped into the void left by his compatriot's departure. After contributing eight goals during his first season while often deployed on the wing or in a supporting role alongside Bryden and pacy winger Elliot Dunlop, Brooks struggled to maintain consistency after Christmas as Crusaders battled relegation concerns.
With Bryden gone and no direct replacement recruited, Brooks was tasked with operating through the middle and providing the focal point the Crues desperately required. His early-season form proved inconsistent—he managed only a quiet display in the opening-day defeat to Cliftonville and failed to register against Ballymena the following weekend. However, his performance against Portadown demonstrated the ruthless finishing that Caddell believes Brooks possesses.
How did Brooks' hat-trick unfold?
According to live coverage of the match, Brooks opened the scoring on 11 minutes with a close-range finish from Kurtis Forsythe's cut-back, displaying the predatory instinct required in the penalty area. He doubled his tally on 32 minutes by heading home from Owen Wardell's delivery, guiding the ball past Portadown goalkeeper Aaron McCarey with precision. Brooks completed his hat-trick early in the second half, showing composure to round McCarey and slot home after capitalising on a slack back pass from Jack Scott—the first hat-trick scored in the Irish Premiership this season.
Caddell praised his striker's performance and the clinical nature of his finishing.
Adam's first two goals were typical of him, he's a predator in the box,the Crusaders manager said.
We maybe didn't see the best of him last year as I used him out left when we didn't get the best out of him, but we have seen that in pre-season and the first three games. He was exceptional today and his hat-trick was well-deserved. I told him he keeps making those moves the goals will come. Thankfully he got three today and could have had more, but I'm delighted for him.
Brooks himself acknowledged his clinical display while recognising room for improvement.
It was nice to get a hat-trick today, but to be fair I could have had five so there's always room for improvement,he told a national broadcaster's report.
I'm still learning and this is such a competitive league as Portadown showed today even when they went down to 10 men. It's been a good start to the season I've got to just keep working hard and stay grounded.
How did Portadown respond?
The Ports mounted a determined comeback despite being severely hampered by Finn Flanagan's dismissal. According to match coverage, Flanagan was sent off just before half-time after receiving two yellow cards for rash challenges, leaving Portadown to defend with 10 men for a significant portion of the contest. Despite this numerical disadvantage, the visitors rallied impressively in the early stages of the second half, scoring twice in quick succession to make the contest competitive.
Baris Altintop opened Portadown's account before Eamon Fyfe netted two minutes after the restart, creating a brief four-minute spell that included three goals and transformed the complexion of the encounter. However, Scott's poor back pass allowed Brooks to secure his hat-trick and effectively settle the outcome, leaving Portadown unable to find the crucial third goal that would have salvaged an unlikely point from a difficult afternoon.
The defeat extended Portadown's winless start under returning manager David Jeffrey, who has now suffered three consecutive losses since taking charge.
It's thin lines and fine margins,Jeffrey reflected on his side's opening fixtures.
In all of the three games we've played, we should have got something out of them. We have much to ponder and we have much to praise. I knew it was a sizeable job when I took it on, we brought in quite a number of players but we will keep working as hard as we can and keep remembering the principles we base everything on and go forward positively.
The Ports have managed to score in only one of their three matches so far this season, having failed to find the back of the net in narrow defeats to both Carrick Rangers and Dungannon Swifts. Their defensive frailties have proven costly, and Jeffrey faces a challenging fixture list ahead. Portadown must now travel to face Coleraine, Cliftonville, Larne and Linfield in their next four outings—a run that offers little respite and makes an immediate return to winning ways appear unlikely unless their defensive organisation improves significantly.
What does this mean for Crusaders?
The victory represents a significant statement of intent from Crusaders, who were cruising through the contest before conceding sloppy goals that allowed Portadown back into the game. The club has demonstrated a commitment to establishing Seaview as a fortress this season, having suffered too many home losses during their previous campaign that nearly resulted in relegation. By securing back-to-back home wins, Crusaders have begun to address that vulnerability and shown they can maintain their top-flight status without Bryden's prolific output.
Brooks' emergence as a clinical finisher provides genuine encouragement for the Crues' attacking ambitions. His willingness to make the runs that Caddell identified as crucial to his success, combined with his composure in front of goal, suggests he possesses the attributes required to fill the void left by Bryden's departure. The Scottish striker's performance also indicates that Crusaders' recruitment strategy—bringing in players like Brooks and Bryden from Scottish football—continues to yield dividends in the Irish Premiership.
What happens next?
Crusaders are scheduled to travel to face Glenavon on 29 August 2026 in their next Northern Irish Premiership fixture, providing an opportunity to build on their impressive victory and continue their early-season momentum. The club will hope Brooks can maintain his newfound form and establish himself as a consistent goal threat, while Portadown will seek to arrest their winless start against increasingly difficult opposition.
Key Facts
- Adam Brooks scored the first hat-trick of the 2026-27 Irish Premiership season in Crusaders' 3-2 victory over Portadown on Saturday
- The 22-year-old Scottish striker arrived from Queen of the South on a two-year deal and has now stepped into the role vacated by Fraser Bryden's departure to Chesterfield
- Portadown's Finn Flanagan was sent off before half-time, leaving the visitors to defend with 10 men for a significant portion of the match
- Crusaders secured back-to-back home wins with the victory, addressing concerns about their home form from the previous season
- Portadown manager David Jeffrey has now lost all three of his opening fixtures since returning to the club, with his side facing a challenging run of fixtures against Coleraine, Cliftonville, Larne and Linfield
