Linfield 1-0 Crusaders
Aaron Burns scored the only goal as Linfield beat Crusaders 1-0 to cut the gap at the top of the table down to a single point.
Linfield left back Matthew Clarke repeatedly found himself in advanced positions, as the home side targeted Crusaders makeshift right back Andrew Mitchell – covering in place of Billy Joe Burns who played at centre back.
It quickly proved to be a useful outlet, and with 21 minutes played, Linfield made the breakthrough with their first real chance of the afternoon.
Clarke found himself in space down the left, and his drilled, low cross found its way into the feet of Aaron Burns. He collected the ball plenty of work to do as his first touch took him past Billy Joe Burns. He then managed to cut back quickly to elude two defenders and buy half a yard of space before poking the ball into the far corner with his left foot.
Linfield almost went further ahead with half an hour on the clock, again putting Crusaders under pressure down the champions’ right hand side.
A Burns cross was met by Waterworth from close range, but his effort clipped the outside of the post as it flew wide. Shortly before half time, a 25-yard free kick from Blues right back Chris Casement drew a flying save from Sean O’Neill.
Crusaders were out early ahead of the second half kicking off, and they carved out the first real chance as Paul Heatley fired wide from outside the box.
The home side soon went close again as Quinn was played clear, but he was narrowly offside as his low shot struck the post. A few minutes later he had a crack from distance, and it needed a deflection to see it sneak wide.
Just after the hour mark Crusaders mustered a half chance after a set piece. The ball eventually dropped to Gavin Whyte who attempted an overhead kick which went over the bar.
Linfield continued to create better opportunities, and on 67 minutes, Aaron Burns nearly added his second of the afternoon as his header was palmed away at the back post.
The visitors responded with Mitchell lashing a shot wide from distance. 10 minutes later, the ball broke to Heatley who charged into the box, but the Crusaders man saw his effort saved by Roy Carroll.
It proved to be the last chance for the champions to get back into the game, and Linfield held on for the points.