Crusaders 0-2 Linfield (Result)
Orr heads Blues in front on 72 minutes
Fitzpatrick doubles lead with six minutes left
FT: Crusaders 0-2 Linfield
Linfield continue their march to the title with two late goals securing victory at Seaview.
David Healy's men are now 19 points clear with just seven matches remaining.
That's all from us for now but we'll be back tomorrow for four Premiership fixtures.
See you then!
FT Crusaders 0-2 Linfield
Matthew Fitzpatrick seals Linfield's victory at Seaview.
Watch: Matthew Fitzpatrick doubles Linfield's lead
Crusaders 0-2 Linfield
Linfield move 19 points clear at the top of the Irish Premiership with a 2-0 win at Seaview.
Second half goals from Matthew Orr and Matthew Fitzpatrick are enough to earn all three points for the Blues, who dominated proceedings after the break.
David Healy's side move another step closer to winning their 57th Gibson Cup.
Crusaders 0-2 Linfield
The fourth official indicates a minimum of three minutes added time will be played.
Crusaders 0-2 Linfield
Kieran Offord and Cameron Ballantyne replace Jamie Mulgrew and Josh Archer for the visitors.
Crusaders 0-2 Linfield
Linfield teenager Matthew Orr heads the visitors into the lead.
Watch: Matthew Orr gives Linfield the lead
Matthew Fitzpatrick - 84 mins
The Blues have been huffing and puffing and get their reward as Matthew Fitzpatrick doubles Linfield's lead!
Fitzpatrick has been a handful for the Crusaders defence all night, and he has his goal as he finds the back of the net with his right foot from just inside the box.
Surely that's all three points wrapped up for David Healy's side?
Crusaders 0-1 Linfield
Jonathan Tuffey makes a superb save to deny Euan East what would have been a stunning strike from outside the area.
The Blues remain on top and are going in search of a second goal that would surely put the game to bed with just over five minutes of normal time remaining.
Crusaders 0-1 Linfield
Chris Shields thwarts a dangerous Crusaders attack with an unorthodox headed clearance.
Josh Archer is fouled from the resulting corner by Daniel Larmour.
Crusaders 0-1 Linfield
Declan Caddell makes a double change with just over 10 minutes left on the clock as Josh O'Connor and Josh Williamson come on in place of Robbie Weir and Lewis Barr.
Crusaders 0-1 Linfield
Linfield almost double their lead following a nice move that results in Matthew Fitzpatrick firing over the crossbar with a sliding effort after getting on the end of a dangerous Jamie Mulgrew cross.
Crusaders 0-1 Linfield
Oran Kearney
Coleraine sporting director on Friday Night Football
It's a great header, it's a great leap from Orr and one of those looping headers that can't be saved.
Crusaders 0-1 Linfield
Jay Boyd replaces Harry Jewitt-White for the hosts.
Matthew Orr - 72 mins
Linfield break the deadlock and it's 17-year-old Matthew Orr who heads home to give the visitors the lead!
Jimmy Callacher clears the first Linfield cross as Kyle McClean whips in another cross, with Orr rising highest in the area to float a header back across goal and into the back of the net.
The ball seemed to take an age to actually hit the net, but the Blues now have their lead thanks to their young right-back.
David Healy's side have been the better side in the second half and have been rewarded for their efforts.
Crusaders 0-0 Linfield
Declan Caddell makes the first change of the evening as Alex King replaces Harry Franklin up front.
Crusaders 0-0 Linfield
Robbie Weir is shown a yellow card as he pulls back Kyle McClean as the Linfield midfielder was pacing forward with intent.
It's been a busy night for Ben McMaster in the card department.
Crusaders 0-0 Linfield
Some great defending from Jimmy Callacher who does well to get his body in the way and block a dangerous Kyle McClean cross.
Linfield look to have upped the intensity as they go in search of the opening goal.
That being said, the Crues remain dangerous on the counter attack.
Crusaders 0-0 Linfield
Another yellow card at Seaview as Matthew Orr is cautioned as he stops Harry Franklin from breaking forward from a dangerous position.
Crusaders 0-0 Linfield
Harry Jewitt-White is cautioned for a late challenge on Jamie Mulgrew just as the Linfield skipper looked to be breaking forward.
Crusaders 0-0 Linfield
Both Jarlath O'Rourke and Josh Archer are shown a yellow card after some handbags after referee Ben McMaster had blown his whistle.
Linfield's Joel Cooper shields the ball in Friday night's game at Seaview
Linfield moved closer to the Premiership title with a 2-0 win at Crusaders sending them 19 points clear at the top.
Blues teenager Matthew Orr headed the visitors in front on 72 minutes before Matthew Fitzpatrick rifled home to seal the victory.
Crues defender Jimmy Callacher hit the bar in a lacklustre first half while Linfield had a goal ruled out for offiside.
Fitrzpatrick lifted the ball over from close range as the leaders began to dominate in the second half before 17-year-old Orr grabbed the opener.
Fitzpatrick's crisp strike six minutes from time secured another three points for David Healy's team.
Highlights: Crusaders v Linfield
Linfield's march to a 57th Gibson Cup continued under the lights at Seaview on Friday night.
Blues keeper David Walsh was called into action early on in the first half, denying Harry Franklin with a smart save down to his right. Callacher then came closest to breaking the deadlock late in the second half, but his header struck the crossbar and went behind.
Linfield had the ball in the net on the stroke of half-time but Fitzpatrick was deemed to have been in an offside position as he interfered with play right on the goal line.
The Blues almost found the first goal of the evening early in the second half, as Fitzpatrick couldn't direct Ben Hall's flick-on on target, despite being just a yard from goal.
Linfield exerted control in the second half, and were rewarded as Orr rose highest to meet Kyle McClean's cross to break the deadlock, with his looping header beating Jonny Tuffey.
Fitzpatrick made it 2-0 when his right-foot strike from just inside the box sneaked in at the nearpost.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Linfield | 31 | 22 | 4 | 5 | 56 | 23 | 33 | 70 |
|
2 Glentoran | 29 | 15 | 6 | 8 | 35 | 25 | 10 | 51 |
|
3 Dungannon Swifts | 29 | 14 | 4 | 11 | 41 | 33 | 8 | 46 |
|
4 Crusaders | 31 | 14 | 4 | 13 | 39 | 42 | -3 | 46 |
|
5 Larne | 28 | 12 | 7 | 9 | 32 | 24 | 8 | 43 |
|
6 Cliftonville | 29 | 12 | 6 | 11 | 39 | 32 | 7 | 42 |
|
7 Portadown | 30 | 12 | 6 | 12 | 37 | 36 | 1 | 42 |
|
8 Coleraine | 29 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 44 | 38 | 6 | 41 |
|
9 Glenavon | 29 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 32 | 36 | -4 | 38 |
|
10 Ballymena United | 29 | 11 | 4 | 14 | 34 | 38 | -4 | 37 |
|
11 Carrick Rangers | 30 | 6 | 8 | 16 | 24 | 44 | -20 | 26 |
|
12 Loughgall | 30 | 3 | 5 | 22 | 26 | 68 | -42 | 14 |
|
Manager: Declan Caddell
Manager: David Healy
Manager: Declan Caddell
Manager: David Healy
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