Linfield bounced back from their recent setbacks with a 3-2 win over Crusaders in the Sports Direct Premiership this afternoon.
The Blues had a number of very strong performances across all areas of the pitch and were worth their victory. They survived a major scare late on, but it was otherwise a game that they were in control for most of.
Having rotated his squad to give young players an opportunity in Tuesday’s trip to the same venue in the County Antrim Shield – a game which Crusaders edged 3-2 – it was roles reversal today – this time, David Healy recalled his senior players, although many remained out through injury which meant the Blues named one of the most youthful benches in their history. Charlie Allen missed out again due to International duty; he scored in Northern Ireland u21s’ 5-0 win over Azerbaijan u21s – a match which kicked off at the same time as Linfield versus Crusaders.
Thin on numbers, David Healy changed things around a little to come up with what proved to be a winning formula. Ethan McGee moved into midfield, with 17-year-old Matthew Orr having a stellar game at right back. Josh Archer also started in the middle after returning from a knock, with Kyle McClean in beside him. Scot Whiteside partnered Chris Shields at the back, with Euan East continuing at left back. Joel Cooper and Kirk Millar played on the wings, while Matthew Fitzpatrick led the line to great effect.
Crusaders named one of their strongest possible line-ups in the Co. Antrim Shield clash during the week, so they only made two changes for this one; Jonathan Tuffey back in goal in place of young Ryan Kerr, and Robbie Weir in for young Josh Williamson.
The midweek match may have lacked the usual edge that you get in matches between Crusaders, but this one certainly didn’t, with some big tackles going in, as well as a big crowd and a notable atmosphere at Seaview.
The Blues started in a positive manner, trying to get their attacking players on the ball in areas high up the pitch. They forced a couple of early corners which were well defended by the hosts, and then a free-kick from the left was delivered by Kirk Millar and met by Matthew Fitzpatrick who headed it just wide of the far corner.
Crusaders also had an early chance, although it was the only real chance they created in the first half. Two former Linfield players combined as Ross Clarke crossed invitingly with a left-footed inswinger from the right which Jordan Stewart headed wide.
Linfield went close to opening the scoring in the 12th minute when Kyle McClean surged past two Crusaders defenders to break through inside the box before being denied by a good save. The rebound broke for Kirk Millar whose goalbound shot was deflected wide.
An aerial clash of heads between Matthew Fitzpatrick and Robbie Weir in the 16th minute led to the Linfield striker requiring treatment before continuing with a bandage around his head wound. The Crusaders midfielder was unable to continue as was replaced by teenager Josh Williamson.
The Blues continued to edge the contest without causing the home goalkeeper too much problems before taking the lead five minutes before the break. It turned out that Kyle McClean’s earlier effort that was saved by Tuffey was a warning shot that the hosts didn’t heed. This time, the midfielder timed his run to perfection as Ethan McGee won a headed flick-on from Chris Johns’ long-ball. Once through on goal McClean kept his cool to rifle a shot into the far corner.
Linfield looked for a second goal before the break and were unlucky as Joel Cooper’s clever effort to thread a clipped pass through the middle of the two Crusaders central defenders was just marginally beyond the reach of Matthew Fitzpatrick who appreciated the attempt.
HT: Crusaders 0-1 Linfield
As is so often the case at Seaview, Crusaders came out of the blocks quickly after the break and it took the Blues a while to respond. Declan Caddell’s men were unlucky not to score eight minutes after the break as Jarlath O’Rourke fizzed a classy first-time cross right to the toe of striker Kieran Offord whose goalbound volley was crucially blocked by Scot Whiteside who was well positioned.
However, the Crues did then find an equaliser five minutes later. Ross Clarke did well to get a cross in from the right and it took a deflection into a teammate just inside the box. A shot came in but it was also deflected and then former Linfield man Jordan Stewart pounced instinctively to hook the ball in from close range.
From that point, the Blues reacted brilliantly to regain control and regain the lead. Crusaders were only level for four minutes. From a Linfield perspective, there was some fortune about it as Kirk Millar’s free-kick to the back post should have been headed out by Jordan Forsythe, but he got it wrong and headed the ball back across goal where Matthew Fitzpatrick wanted it the most as he beat multiple players in the air to head in from close range. For the second time in the match, Fitzpatrick took a sore knock to the head, but his bravery was rewarded with the goal and he continued to battle on.
After going 2-1 ahead, Linfield were well in control and looking dangerous. A great interception from Crusaders’ Jimmy Callacher stopped Kyle McClean getting in on the end of Cooper’s cross across goal, otherwise the midfielder would most likely have scored. Cooper was also unlucky a short time later as he struck the ball sweetly after it dropped nicely inside the box, but Forsythe made a goal-saving block.
A promising breakaway somehow didn’t end up with a third Linfield goal, ending with Cooper’s shot being deflected across goal for Kirk Millar to run onto, but his shot was deflected wide by Crusaders’ Jacob Blaney, who had a decent effort up the other end a short time later when his bicycle kick was saved by Chris Johns.
The Blues couldn’t believe they hadn’t gone 3-1 ahead in the 85th minute. A superb through ball on the spin from Josh Archer released Joel Cooper which led to a crossing opportunity. Euan East delivered a cross from the left which sat up nicely for Kirk Millar at the back post as he stooped for a diving header which had the ‘keeper well beaten, but was somehow hooked off the line by Crusaders defender Lewis Barr who produced heroics.
David Healy’s men did then extend their lead just a minute later. Kyle McClean played a one-two with Joel Cooper before advancing towards a central position on the edge of the box from where he coolly placed the ball into the net. Tuffey got something on it but not enough to keep the low strike out. It was McClean’s second goal of the day and his fourth of the season.
Heading into five additional minutes, a Crusaders comeback didn’t look likely. However, things can change quickly in football and a nervy finish was on the cards. In the third minute of additional time, Chris Johns took a knock to the head while pushing the ball behind for a corner. He was disappointed not to be awarded a free-kick and, to make matters worse, when play eventually resumed Crusaders scored from the corner, with the ball seeming to deflected in off the unfortunate Ethan McGee.
A nail-biting final two minutes ensued for the Linfield faithful and it brought a few heart-in-mouth moments. Firstly, substitute Crusaders target man Jordan Owens typically won an aerial battle, with his flick-on inches away from the reach of Jordan Stewart who would surely have scored if he’d got a toe on it.
Then, shortly after, a long throw-in was hurled into the Linfield box and it caused panic. Again, unsurprisingly, the aerial phenomenon Jordan Owens won it. Chris Johns just about beat Kieran Offord to the knock-down but was unable to hold the ball which spun loose before Scot Whiteside made a very significant block.
The ball went behind for a corner which brought one final major scare for Linfield. Crusaders sent everybody forward, including goalkeeper Jonathan Tuffey. O’Rourke swung the ball into a crowded penalty box and it was won by Lewis Barr who made great contact on a header, but he was denied by an even better save by Chris Johns who dived to push the ball away.
After the final whistle went, Linfield manager David Healy received a straight red card.
A chaotic ending to an entertaining but a fair result on a day when a stretched squad came together to show real character throughout for a morale-boosting victory.
Next up for the Blues is a trip to the Orchard County on Friday evening to take on Loughgall at Lakeview Park. A victory would send the Blues back to the top of the Sports Direct Premiership.
FT: Crusaders 2-3 Linfield
Written by Jamie Megarry