Soccer

Linfield go 19-points clear with win over Crusaders

Joel Cooper grabs 16th goal of the season and Matthew Fitzpatrick sees red for Blues

Linfield v Crusaders
Joel Cooper of Linfield opens the scoring during this evening’s game at NFS @ Windsor Park, Belfast.
Photo - Andrew McCarroll/ Pacemaker Press
PACEMAKER PRESS BELFAST 28-01-25 Sports Direct Premiership Match Day 6 (Game in hand) Linfield v Crusaders Joel Cooper of Linfield opens the scoring during this evening’s game at NFS @ Windsor Park, Belfast. Photo - Andrew McCarroll/ Pacemaker Press (Andrew McCarroll/Andrew McCarroll/ Pacemaker Press)

Joel Cooper was instrumental once more as Linfield had too much for Crusaders in a 2-1 victory in this evening’s Sports Direct Irish Premiership tie at Windsor Park.

David Healy’s men march a whopping 19-points clear of second-placed Glentoran with the win as they head ever-closer to a title victory.

Cooper scored his 16th goal of the season early on before Ross Clarke hit back for the Crues soon after. Cooper then played in Chris McKee for the hosts’ second on the stroke of half-time.

The game was just seven-minutes old when the home crowd were treated to the first goal of the evening courtesy of Cooper.

The striker latched onto a Harry Jewitt-White wayward pass, before unleashing a left-footed drive from outside the area that cannoned off the inside of the right-hand post and into the far corner of the net. However, the lead was to last just three minutes.

Philip Lowry, returning from suspension, nudged the ball through to Harry Franklin who in turn passed to Clarke in the middle of the area. The Co Down man then smashed his strike beyond David Walsh at the near post and high into the net to bring the away support onto their feet.

On the half-hour mark, Blues’ striker Matthew Fitzpatrick had a shout for a penalty, having been involved in a collision with Crues’ keeper Jonny Tuffey inside the area. However, referee Declan Hassan books Fitzpatrick for simulation.

As Linfield’s dominance grew, their chances also became more frequent and on 44 minutes Cooper went close to adding a second, but his shot crashed off Tuffey’s crossbar. Not to be denied though, just 60-seconds later the Blues did get their noses back in front.

Cooper turned provider as he found McKee free on the edge of the area, and his first-time effort found the back of the net with via some help from the left-hand upright. A perfect end to the opening period.

Linfield didn’t let up after the break and should have grabbed a third on 65 minutes, but Kyle McClean could not get the ball out of his feet after an unselfish square ball from Fitzpatrick, and could only strike the upright from close range, when it seemed easier to score.

Cooper then struck the outside of the upright just two minutes later, when he shot for the near side of Tuffey’s goal, leaving two frustrated teammates unmarked In excellent positions in the middle of goal.

Crusaders failed to threaten Walsh’s goal thereafter and Healy’s men held on for yet another win, but not before they lost Matthew Fitzpatrick to a red card late on for his second bookable offence.

Elsewhere this evening, Dungannon Swifts’ claimed victory in the final of the Euro Electrix Mid-Ulster Cup Final after defeating Loughgall 2-1.

First-half strikes from Brandon Bermingham and Kaelan Dillon were enough for Rodney McAree’s side to lift the trophy.

Linfield: Walsh, Roscoe, East, McGee, Orr, Shields (capt), McKee, McClean, Ballantyne, Cooper, Fitzpatrick.

Subs: Johns, McCullough, Allen, Archer, Hall, Annett, McKay.

Crusaders: Tuffey, Lowry (capt), Jewitt-White, Blaney, Forsythe, O’Rourke, Larmour, Smith, Clarke, Nixon, Franklin.

Subs: Brown, Callacher, Williamson, Owens, O’Connor, Barr, Downey.