A first-half volley from striker Matthew Fitzpatrick was enough to give Linfield a well-deserved 1-0 victory over Crusaders at Seaview this afternoon.
The Blues came into the match off the back of consecutive goalless draws against Carrick Rangers and Larne. David Healy made four changes to the team that started against Larne at Windsor Park last Friday – two of them being enforced changes as Euan East and Chris McKee missed out through injury. Young duo Sean Brown and Isaac Baird dropped to the bench, with Darragh Leahy, Josh Archer, Charlie Allen and Matt Yates coming into the team.
With the rarity of a Saturday 3pm kick-off away from home, around 900 Linfield supporters made the trip to the Shore Road in north Belfast and will have been pleased with their team’s first-half display.
Linfield forward Matthew Fitzpatrick had a sight at goal in the opening minutes when he was unopposed to get his head on Kyle McClean’s free-kick delivery from the right, but his header from 15 yards was well taken by Crusaders ‘keeper Dibaga who put in a strong performance. A short time later, another delivery from McClean caused Crusaders problems with Adam Brooks clearing off the line after a slight touch from Ethan McGee.
Fitzpatrick then found the net in the ninth minute with what proved to be the winning goal. The striker played a one-two with Kyle McClean before taking the ball down on his chest and volleying the ball into the near post, past the ‘keeper from eight yards for his 14th goal of the season in all competitions. Fitzpatrick has now scored in 5 of the last 7 Premiership matches against Crusaders.
Crusaders forward Stewart Nixon threatened twice for the hosts, having a left-footed strike saved by Johns being seeing a 20-yard free-kick flash just over the bar, but other than that, the story of the first half was one of Linfield dominance, but the Blues weren’t able to turn the territory into a second goal.
The Blues had a penalty appeal rejected in the 33rd minute when Matt Yates appeared to be pushed by defender Cameron Bruce whilst trying to get on the end of Kyle McClean’s cross to the back post area, but referee Evan Boyce – taking charge of this fixture for the first time in his career – was unmoved.
However, just two minutes later, the Blues were then awarded a penalty as central defender Lewis Barr handled Charlie Allen’s cross was an outstretched arm. Spanish midfielder Alex Gorrin stepped up to the spot, but he was denied by the legs of goalkeeper Dibaga, and then Cameron Bruce did well to get to the rebound ahead of Gorrin, whose wait for a first Linfield goal goes on.
Five minutes before half-time, a precise through ball over the top of Crusaders’ defence from Ethan McGee released Josh Archer through on goal. The midfielder opted for power, but the goalkeeper made a good save to make up for his initial hesitation on a ball that he may have been favourite to reach before Archer.
On the stroke of half-time, the Blues missed another great opportunity as Charlie Allen’s cross from the right found Scottish forward Matt Yates, whose header beat the ‘keeper but flashed past the post by a matter of inches.
HT: CRUSADERS 0-1 LINFIELD
Whilst the Blues will have had mixed feelings at half-time – happy to be in front but disappointed not to be further ahead on the balance of play – the second half was a quieter affair, and although it could have been a nervy ending, the result never really looked in any real doubt.
A second goal would have put the Blues well on their way to three points, and it very nearly came six minutes into the second half following a neat Linfield move as McGee played the ball into the feet of Fitzpatrick, and he teed it off first time for Archer to strike from the edge of the box, with his low shot whistling narrowly wide of the far post.
A short time later, Crusaders suffered an injury blow as Stewart Nixon picked up an injury and was replaced by Finley Thorndike. Then, shortly after, Crusaders introduced debutant winger Thomas Maguire who signed from Dungannon Swifts this week, and he was lively on the right flank with a few dangerous deliveries.
Midway through the second half, Linfield introduced Adam Frizzell who was making his debut for the Blues after signing from Derry City this week. It was a tough game for the 27-year-old to show what he’s about, but he threatened shortly after coming on as his shot was deflected into the side netting following a quick free-kick from McClean.
With twenty minutes remaining, Linfield were given a scare as a low corner delivery from Finley Throndike trickled through and almost ended up in the Blues’ net. It would have done had it not been for Jamie Mulgrew – who’d come on as a sub just a few minutes prior – clearing off the line.
Shortly after, Charlie Allen went close for the Blues at the other end following a swift one-two with Kyle McClean which led to a low strike which was brilliantly saved by Dibaga down low to his right at full stretch.
David Healy introduced Kirk Millar from the bench with 10 minutes remaining as the winger made his first appearance since Boxing Day following a spell out injured, and the winger almost recorded an assist in the 89th minute as his corner picked out Darragh Leahy whose header come back off the inside of the post before Dibaga clawed it away. Leahy can consider himself very unfortunate not to have scored in his first two appearances for the Blues, but the encouraging thing is he looks a threat in a team that has perhaps not scored as many set-piece goals as they’d have hoped for this season.
Crusaders had an opportunity with the last action in four additional minutes when Thomas Maguire’s deep cross from the right found its way through to Elliot Dunlop inside the box, but his effort was hooked clear, although it may well have been going wide.
This was the 100th meeting between the teams at Seaview and Linfield’s 58th win.
The Blues have now won 11 consecutive Premiership matches against the Shore Road club.
It’s the Blues’ 100th clean sheet away from home under David Healy.
Having struggled away from home this season, this was the Blues’ third away League win, having previously won at Bangor twice, so they’ll be hoping to turn a corner in that regard.
Now, the focus turns to a double-header with Ballymena United, immediately for a crunch League Cup semi-final at Windsor Park on Tuesday evening. The Blues have won the competition in two of the last three seasons, and will be determined to set up a final against Coleraine or Glentoran, particularly given the League title looks out of reach, with Larne remaining 16 points in front of the Blues who are back into fourth position.
FT: CRUSADERS 0-1 LINFIELD
CRUSADERS: Musa Dibaga (GK), Evan Easton, Lewis Barr, Cameron Bruce (Jonathan James 79’), Lloyd Anderson, Josh Williamson, Harry Jewitt-White (Thomas Maguire 62’), Elliot Dunlop, Stewart Nixon (Finley Thorndike 55’), Adam Brooks, Fraser Bryden
Unused subs: Jonathan Tuffey (GK), Oilibhear McCart, Leon Barr, Ryan Donnelly
LINFIELD: Chris Johns (GK), Ethan McGee, Ben Hall, Darragh Leahy, Dane McCullough, Alex Gorrin (Jamie Mulgrew 66’), Josh Archer, Kyle McClean ©, Charlie Allen (Kirk Millar 81’), Matt Yates (Adam Frizzell 66’), Matthew Fitzpatrick
Unused subs: David Walsh (GK), Sean Brown, Isaac Baird, Sam Taylor
REFEREE: Evan Boyce
Yellow cards: Lewis Barr (Crusaders), Darragh Leahy (Linfield)
INTERVIEWS