Chris Johns (GK), Michael Newberry (Matt Green 84’), Jimmy Callacher, Sam Roscoe, Matthew Clarke, Chris Shields, Jamie Mulgrew © (Martin Donnelly 87’), Jordan Stewart, Kirk Millar, Christy Manzinga, Billy Chadwick (Niall Quinn 60’)
Johnny Tuffey (GK), BJ Burns ©, Aidan Wilson, Joshua Robinson, Jarlath O’Rourke, Jordan Forsythe, Declan Caddell, Ben Kennedy (Robbie Weir 87’), Paul Heatley, Jonathan McMurray (Ross Clarke 75’), Adam Lecky (Jordan Owens 85’)
Linfield’s unbeaten start to the Danske Bank Premiership season came to an end at Seaview this afternoon as Crusaders capitalised on a late defensive mix-up to come from behind and win 2-1.
The Blues took the lead towards the end of a first half where they were the better team and very courageous in their play, particularly in midfield. It was a neatly-worked goal as Jamie Mulgrew broke on the counter from midfield and when he found the feet of Billy Chadwick on the edge of the box, the Hull City loanee slipped the ball to his left for Christy Manzinga who clinically whipped the ball into the far corner past Johnny Tuffey from the edge of the box for his 12th goal of the season.
The Crues had a few chances of their own and they were first to threaten in the match. Jamie Mulgrew went into a shoulder battle with Ben Kennedy with the Linfield man knocking Kennedy off the ball, however he was adjudged to have committed a foul. In-from Crues midfielder Kennedy took on the free-kick from the guts of 30 yards with a great effort and a save to match as Chris Johns sprung to his left to make a diving save and he was up quickly to make a save from Johnny McMurray on the rebound at the near post area.
Billy Chadwick’s low cross across goal after strong hold-up play was deserving of a taker but it went untouched. Jordan Stewart also threatened early on when a Linfield corner was pushed out by Johnny Tuffey and the attacker saw his goalward shot blocked around 10 yards in front of the goal. Stewart had another effort saved when the ball sat up nicely for a 20 yard volley but it was a nice height for Tuffey to save.
Crusaders had a penalty appeal waved away ten minutes before the break when Matthew Clarke put in a challenge on Ben Kennedy who momentarily looked to be through on goal in the box. Clarke positioned his body expertly to muscle Kennedy off the ball and the Crusaders man’s appeals were half-hearted in comparison to some teammates around him.
In a game of many chances, Josh Robinson headed into the side netting at the back post following a Ben Kennedy free-kick delivery and the latter saw a 20 yard shot deflected just over off Jamie Mulgrew.
Half Time: Crusaders 0 – 1 Linfield
Crusaders came out for the second half fired up with Jordan Forsythe’s shot crucially blocked at close range as the ball bobbled around the box following a Crusaders corner.
The Crues missed an initial glorious opportunity to draw level two minutes into the second half as Chris Shields fouled Adam Lecky in the box in an attempt to poke the ball. Ben Kennedy stepped up and as he attempted to clip the ball down the middle he uncharacteristically hit the crossbar.
Stephen Baxter’s men weren’t denied for long, however. The Shore Road men drew level five minutes into the second half as Adam Lecky flicked the ball on for Paul Heatley to run off the shoulder through on goal before slotting the ball low into the bottom corner.
Linfield were very unfortunate that Crusaders didn’t then take the lead two minutes later in the midst of a crazy spell. Jordan Forsythe on the left whipped the ball in and the curve took it all the way through to a shot on target which struck the inside of the post and somehow, the ball flashed across the goalline when everyone in the ground thought it was a certain goal.
The Blues then had to make a change as they were getting bombarded under intense Crusaders pressure. Billy Chadwick made way for Niall Quinn with Christy Manzinga switching to play through the middle.
A further chance followed for Crusaders as Johnny McMurray combined effectively with Adam Lecky to open up space for a volley from a good position but it was tame and comfortable for Chris Johns.
A moment of controversy on 73 minutes ensued as Jordan Stewart hooked the ball over a high Crusaders defensive line for the pacey Christy Manzinga to reach. The striker was in the clear only for Josh Robinson to bring him down. Robinson escaped with a yellow card despite being the last man back and one would assume the referee interpreted that Manzinga was too wide for it to be a clear goalscoring opportunity, but it’ll certainly be much debated.
Jordan Stewart had a decent opportunity on 77 minutes at 1-1 when he ghosted in towards the back post to meet a deep Niall Quinn delivery but he couldn’t get enough purchase on his header and Tuffey saved, gathering at the second attempt.
The goal which turned out to be the winner arrived on 83 minutes and for Crusaders. It was a disappointing goal for Linfield to concede following a defensive mix-up. A goalkick was headed back by Sam Roscoe and he appeared to be anticipating either Newberry or Johns to come and meet it, but Ben Kennedy nipped in to lob the ball over the goalkeeper.
Jordan Stewart had a big chance in stoppage time to steal a point but he fired into the side netting with a volley after a corner fell kindly.
Linfield edged the first half, Crusaders were the better team in the second half and the Blues will look back at two goals that were very much preventable. Next Saturday’s league match at home against high-flying Cliftonville is now massive.
Full Time: Crusaders 2 – 1 Linfield
Match Images
