Crusaders where beaten 2-0 by Linfield at Seaview this evening in a game that was pretty evenly matched before the visitors stepped up a few geras and showed why they will be crowned the Sports Direct Premiership Champions very soon. Two goals in the final 20 minutes pushed them 19 points clear with seven games remaining in the campaignalthough second placed Glentoran do have two games in hand.
The first half started promisingly for Crusaders when David Walsh pulled off a good save from Harry Franklin. The game settled and Philip Lowry blocked a shot from Matthew Fitzpatrick and as the half progressed the two defences where solid and had the upper hand on anything the attackers had. Another Fitzpatrick shot went over while a good ball across the Crusaders six yard box went unpunished and Crusaders defence cleared. On the half hour Jordan Stewart should have scored but David Walsh in the Linfield goal did well and made a good stop and the chance had gone. Within a minute it was Johnny Tuffeys turn at the other end to make a great save when he moved quickly to his left and flung him himself across his goal and tipped Euan Easts shot around the post. Crusaders went close again when Jimmy Callaghers header hit the crossbar from a Jarlath O'Rourke free kick and again the same player headed just over from a Jordan Stewart corner. As the half ended Linfield had a goal disallowed for offside and on the referees whistle it was 0-0 at half time.
Linfield came out the second half the stronger and they went close on 53 minutes when somehow Matthew Fitzpatrick put the ball over the bar from virtually on the line. The two sides traded blows but never came close to scoring and a series of yellow cards folowed as they both tried to get the better of each other. Josh Archer came close to putting Linfield ahead but his tight angled shot flew over and Crusaders had a let off. Linfields pressure finally told after 71 minutes when Matthew Orr headed goalbound and after what seemed like an eternity the ball looped into the net over everyone and it was 1-0 Linfield. Linfield pushed on and Joel Coopers lob landed on the roof of the net and by this stage Crusaders whwre battling to stay in touch. Johnny Tuffey made a good save on 80 minutes from Ben Hall and Linfield where thankful two minutes later when Chris Shields wayward header flew nor far past David Walshs post and it remained 1-0. Johnny Tuffey made another good save from Euan East a minute later but could do nothing with four minutes left of the game when a thunderbolt from Matthew Fitzpatrick flew by his right side and it was 2-0 Linfield. As the game came to a close Kieran Offord went close as did Joel Cooper but with no further action it was 2-0 final score and Linfield extended their lead at the top of the Premiership table.
So beaten 2-0 Crusaders now look towards two massive games over the next few weeks against Loughgall and Glentoran as they look to make the top six for the final five games of the season.