Chris Johns (GK), Trai Hume, Jimmy Callacher, Michael Newberry, Matthew Clarke, Chris Shields, Cameron Palmer (Ahmed Salam 90’), Jamie Mulgrew ©, Kirk Millar (Martin Donnelly 90’), Billy Chadwick (Jordan Stewart 65’), Christy Manzinga (Matt Green 76’)
Jonathan Tuffey (GK), Billy Joe Burns (C), Josh Robinson, Daniel Larmour, Jarlath O’Rourke, Declan Caddell, Gary Thompson (James Holland 90’), Ben Kennedy, Jonny Frazer (Robbie Weir 60’), Adam Lecky (Jordan Owens 60’), Paul Heatley (Brandon Doyle 75’)
Reigning three-in-a-row champions Linfield got their 2021-22 Danske Bank Premiership campaign off to the best possible start this afternoon as a brace from Christy Manzinga downed Crusaders at Windsor Park.
Whilst it was a typically physical encounter between the Blues and Crues, it was a comfortable enough victory for Linfield and manager David Healy, who has signed a three-year contract extension. Chris Johns wasn’t too busy, although he should have been worked early on when the first chance fell for Crusaders. Paul Heatley whipped a cross in and Crusaders’ main threat Ben Kennedy got into the box to get on the end of it, however, he didn’t get great purchase on his header from ten yards and it flashed wide.
Linfield then grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and were in the ascendency from 15 minutes onwards. Michael Newberry, calm as ever in possession, brought the ball from deep and fed it out right to Kirk Millar who delivered a wicked cross which Billy Chadwick almost got his head on and it was well dealt with by Billy Joe Burns at the back post to head it behind for a corner. From that corner, Linfield very nearly went ahead. Kirk Millar whipped it in and Jimmy Callacher made great connection with a header which drew a good save from Jonny Tuffey before Crusaders hooked the ball clear.
The experienced Paul Heatley threatened for Crusaders on the break but he flashed a curling strike a few yards wide from 20 yards. Soon after, Declan Caddell fancied his chances as he got into the box to reach Ben Kennedy’s cross before swivelling and unleashing a shot from 10 yards which needed a brilliant crucial block by the flying Chris Shields.
The deadlock was broken on 31 minutes as Linfield took the lead. Kirk Millar’s deep corner was met by and headed back across goal by Trai Hume and Christy Manzinga was on his toes to leap and head it in at the back post to get the Blues up and running for the season.
Christy Manzinga then dispossessed Josh Robinson high up the pitch which freed strike partner Billy Chadwick to run into the box but his curling shot flew wide as he couldn’t get enough bend on it. A good effort nonetheless.
Half Time: Linfield 1 – 0 Crusaders
Linfield almost doubled their lead a minute into the second half. The impressive Cammy Palmer had more influence high up in midfield in the second half and he was the architect of the move, winning the ball and breaking before giving it to Kirk Millar and he exchanged passes with Billy Chadwick before the latter got on the ball at close range, only to be denied by a great goal-saving block by Josh Robinson who threw himself at it when the Hull City loanee looked certain to score.
The Blues did then net their second in the 52nd minute and it was also a second goal for Christy Manzinga who’s made a bright start to the season after two goals in Europe this summer. Much of the credit will go to Jimmy Callacher who stepped in brilliantly to make an interception, to then carry the ball forward and then release a brilliantly timed and weighted pass in behind Billy Joe Burns. Christy’s pace got him onto it and then he had a sight of goal to fire the ball low into the far corner from just inside the box.
That gave Linfield comfort and Crusaders never really mounted any pressure on the Blues. If anything, the Blues looked more likely to score again and were unlucky following a nice move. Chris Shields took a quick free-kick to Stewart who moved it on to Manzinga and then on to Matthew Clarke to find Jordan Stewart who turned in the box and pulled the trigger only to see a goalward shot blocked by Daniel Larmour.
The ever-commanding Jamie Mulgrew also went close as he left Josh Robinson for dead following a drop of the shoulder and the midfielder stormed in on goal. The angle was against him and so he drove the ball low across goal, almost finding Jordan Stewart who’d have had a tap-in had Jarlath O’Rourke not been covering the face of goal.
With 15 minutes to go, English striker Matt Green who signed during the week made his Linfield debut. He came on in place of the impressive two-goal Christy Manzinga who went down hurt after challenging for a cross from Kirk Millar, seeming to take a sore landing on his arm. Recent signing Martin Donnelly was also introduced late on for his Linfield debut on his 33rd birthday. Both players are not yet up to full match fitness.
There was almost a debut goal for Matt Green late on as he showed good movement in behind to get onto what was an ever better pass by Cameron Palmer. The striker looked quick as he rushed in on goal but as he pulled the trigger, Crusaders defender Daniel Larmour did very well to get back to make a last-ditch block which diverted the ball into the side netting.
A good days work for Linfield with the only concerns coming from knocks sustained by the two strikers. Let’s hope neither is anything too serious. The Blues now have a two-week wait until their next game due to international call-ups for Trai Hume and Cameron Palmer for Northern Ireland U21s. All focus now on a trip to Portadown on September 11.
Full Time: Linfield 2 – 0 Crusaders
LinfieldFC.com Man of the Match: Christy Manzinga
Match Images
