Linfield started this game knowing that any Glentoran victory at the Oval would see their faint title hopes evaporate no matter what the score was at Seaview. The Blues began the encounter with the same back four that kept a clean sheet in last Saturday’s home victory over Lisburn Distillery. Despite the bumper crowd that filled Seaview, there was a subdued atmosphere around the ground – the Linfield fans knowing that it was unlikely that Cliftonville, like Crusaders with an important Cup Final to look forward to, would achieve a result in East Belfast.
Linfield were the first to threaten when on 5 minutes, Michael Carvill slipped the ball through to Jamie Mulgrew. Whilst Mulgrew had only the keeper to beat, he could only fire his shot straight at Chris Keenan who palmed the ball behind for a Linfield corner. The subdued atmosphere was further enhanced with news of a Glentoran opener at the Oval. On 9 minutes, Damien Curran’s volleyed cross from the left was met by Michael Carvill who climbed highest to head the ball just over Keenan’s cross bar.
Crusaders could have opened the scoring on 14 minutes when Mark Dickson was played through, but the former Linfield forward shot high and wide from an acute angle. On 16 minutes, the majority of the Linfield support accepted that their team had finally conceded the Gibson Cup with news of a second Glentoran goal.
Despite the dejection of the crowd, Linfield took the lead on 18 minutes. A cross from the left was met superbly by the swivelling Paul Munster who somehow managed to expertly hook a right footed shot powerfully goalward. Chris Keenan did get a hand to the effort but it still managed to squeeze over the line to put Linfield 1-0 up.
Linfield doubled their lead on 26 minutes through Robert Garrett. Following a good run by Michael Carvill, Mark McAllister received the ball just inside the Crusaders penalty area. Despite being well placed, McAllister unselfishly slid the ball right to the unmarked Robert Garrett who made no mistake from 8 yards, blasting the ball right footed past the hapless Chris Keenan.
David Jeffrey’s men made it 3-0 with ten minutes remaining in the first half. Aidan O’Kane crossed the ball from the left flank and the ball fell kindly for Paul Munster, who from 8 yards to the left of the goal opened his body up to finish right footed in style. It was just reward for a superb first half performance from the Linfield striker.
Crusaders had the chance to pull a goal back two minutes later. Martin Donelly’s pinpoint left wing cross was met by Jordan Owens who crashed his header against Alan Mannus’ left hand post.
Gary Smyth almost scored an own goal on 40 minutes. Aidan O’Kane did well on the left and slid the ball through to Jamie Mulgrew who crossed right footed from the left of the penalty area. Smyth mishit his clearance and the Crusaders goalkeeper had to be on his toes to tip the ball over for a Linfield corner. From the resulting corner, Kris Lindsay flashed a powerful header just over the crossbar.
Linfield put the game beyond doubt on 40 minutes when Robert Garrett scored his second of the afternoon. A few silky skills on the right hand corner of the box allowed the midfielder time and space to fire a shot at goal. His right footed shot took a slight deflection off Mark McAllister yet fizzled past Chris Keenan who seemed to spend most of his afternoon picking the ball out from the back of his net.
The half time whistle couldn’t come soon enough for the Crusaders defence who had been battered by a ruthless Linfield team from kick off. Linfield were enjoying their football in the first half, despite the news from the Oval that Glentoran were two goals up.
Half Time: Crusaders 0 – 4 Linfield
David Jeffrey withdrew the seemingly injured Paul Munster on 48 minutes, and the Linfield striker received a standing ovation as he left the field of play – the Linfield fans clearly appreciative of the striker’s input, especially in the season’s bigger games.
Gareth McKeown tried his luck on 55 minutes with a fiercely struck right footed shot from 25 yards but his effort hit the side netting.
On 62 minutes Crusaders really should have pulled a goal back. Chris Morrow rose highest to meet a corner from the right. His header was straight at Alan Mannus who couldn’t hold onto the ball and as the ball fell loose, Jordan Owens’ weak right footed shot was easily caught at the second time of asking by the Linfield shot-stopper.
Much of the second half was a case of ‘going through the motions’ until Linfield made it five on 78 minutes. Damien Curran’s corner from the left was met by a textbook header from Michael Gault. Linfield were about to record their biggest league win of the season.
The rest of the half petered out and when the final whistle eventually sounded, the Linfield fans sang the praises of their tenacious team. Linfield had reluctantly conceded their Gibson Cup crown to their bitter cross-town rivals who recorded a 3-1 victory over Cup Finalists Cliftonville. Although there was a sense of disappointment amongst the support, there was also a real sense of hope and expectation for next season. Many of the players stayed behind at the end to greet the fans who had made their way onto the pitch.
It has been a season with many twists and turns, many last minute dramas, many highs and quite a few lows too. David Jeffrey applauded the entire Linfield support and the majority showed their appreciation for what has been a season of high drama.
Full Time: Crusaders 0 – 5 Linfield |
