Billy Weir’s brilliant Irish League column on why title destiny could hinge on Crues v Blues clash
IKNOW both camps are at pains to stress that tomorrow night’s clash between Crusaders and Linfield is not, I repeat NOT, a title decider and, of course, they are correct.
It is the first of four title-deciding games between two sides who are likely to be battling it out for the Gibson Cup come the end of the season.
If we take Coleraine out of the equation (and which right-minded person wouldn’t want to do that? Only jesting, my Bannside chums), then since David Healy took over in the Linfield dug-out, the clashes between his side and Stephen Baxter’s have been required viewing.
Since Healy ascended to the throne at the House of Windsor in October 2015, the two teams have met 15 times in the league, grabbing six wins apiece and sharing the spoils three times.
The remarkable symmetry continues in the goals column — both have scored and conceded 16. So, really, there is nothing to choose between them.
Bringing things right up to date, when they have been bad this season, they have, you guessed it, been equally so, both shipping 4-2 losses to Coleraine.
Linfield’s European exploits mean that they’ve been playing catch-up on the Crues, who currently have a five-point lead at the top of the table and are seven ahead of the Blues, but if Healy’s men win their three games in hand and avoid defeat at Seaview, they will be top of the pile.
So, here’s my breakdown of where the game will be won or lost. Or drawn.
Oh, and a big thank you to Northern Ireland’s king of the stats, Marshall Gillespie, who marked my homework to make sure I got it correct. I feel like I’ve just been on Countdown and beaten Rachel Riley in the numbers game!
DEFENCE: It has to be first blood to the Blues on this one. More watertight than a shark’s speedos, they are at it again this campaign having conceded just five goals in their six games — and four of those came against Coleraine. In goals, Rohan Ferguson has taken over from Gareth Deane of late and he is doing an admirable job in trying to fill the gloves of Roy Carroll. Mind you, behind that defence, superbly marshalled by Jimmy Callacher and Mark Stafford, Alex Ferguson could do nets.
There’s been a lot of chopping and changing in the Crues backline, something unusual as back in the day you could have set your clock that the back five would be the same week after week. Ger Doherty has come back in for Sean O’Neill following their thumping at Ballycastle Road and their defence has allowed 10 goals in their nine games to date. Of course, that doesn’t really matter that much when you have banged in 30 at the other end. They also miss Colin Coates when he’s not there, a genuine big game player and a real leader.
CRUSADERS 7 LINFIELD 9
MIDFIELD: Not a place for the weak of mind or limb in these epic encounters and this will be no exception. It could be a hairy place for Bastien Hery on his first coming together with Declan Caddell and there is no way he will be given the freedom Glenavon handed him last weekend to run amok. Jamie Mulgrew will do what Jamie Mulgrew does best and allow the likes of Kirk Millar, the ever-improving Stephen Fallon and Joel Cooper to weave their magic.
The Crues have a plethora of riches in the centre of the park but none better than Phillip Lowry, who seems to get better with age. When he plays well, Crusaders play well, and he also has an awfully annoying habit of popping up with some crucial goals. Much the same could be said of another former Linfield midfielder, Ross Clarke.
It’s no surprise that the man who looks like a Viking loves nothing more than a bit of pillaging in the middle of the park and, like on Saturday past, he can pilfer a goal or set a couple up quickly.
Oh, and they have Rory Hale and Caddell too, and I am not even going to try and list all the other options they have in there.
CRUSADERS 9 LINFIELD 8
ATTACK: Shayne Lavery — too small, he’ll never make it in the Irish League. Yes, I heard those words uttered once and how prophetic they were! He has been nothing short of sensational since he came back to Northern Ireland after an unhappy spell across the water, but a lot quicker than the Boris Bridge, it won’t be long before he’s back across the Irish Sea.
As Gary Hamilton said after Lavery’s four-goal haul on Saturday: “And we were up against a player like Shayne Lavery — he shouldn’t be playing in the Irish League.” And they have some fella called Andy Waterworth to come off the bench too.
Crusaders have Paul Heatley and Jordan Owens. That’s all you really have to say. Owens is a nightmare and Heatley a dream to watch. His goal against Glentoran on Saturday was stupendous and, let’s face it, not at all surprising as he has been the league’s star man for a decade. How he never made it into the full-time game is a mystery, but in a way I’m glad he stayed put as we got to see him at his best. And just in case it isn’t working out for them, Baxter went and brought in Jamie McGonigle and Paul McElroy too.
CRUSADERS 9 LINFIELD 8
THE BENCHES: As Hamilton said on Saturday, this is “the best Linfield team I’ve seen in my time in the Irish League” and they are certainly on fire at the moment.
Having the likes of Waterworth, Ryan McGivern and Andrew Mitchell to call upon from the bench is a bonus but they certainly don’t have the strength in depth that the Crues possess.
O’Neill, Sean Ward, Kyle Owens, Gary Thompson, McElroy, McGonigle, David Cushley. Those were Crusaders’ seven subs on Saturday and arguably any one of them would be one of the first names on the teamsheets of most other clubs. Then there’s Coates, Michael Ruddy, Matthew Snoddy, Jarlath O’Rourke and probably a clatter more I have missed who are also in the wings waiting for their chance.
CRUSADERS 8 LINFIELD 7
FORM: Hard to prise them apart, the defeats to Coleraine aside, the only other points dropped were by the Crues when they were held at home by Larne. The Blues scored seven on Saturday, the Crues could only muster five against Glentoran. Bound to be a scoreless draw on Saturday.
CRUSADERS 8 LINFIELD 8
THE X FACTOR: In Hery, Linfield have an exceptional talent and like on Saturday Lavery can be unplayable. Heatley does what he does and in Cushley they have someone who can come off the bench and do extraordinary things. CRUSADERS 8 LINFIELD 8 FINAL SCORE: Crusaders 49 Linfield 48
Very little to choose between them, there rarely is, but a win for either side will be crucial for their momentum.
They have been taking turn about with the Gibson Cup since Healy came, and I said at the start of the season I fancied the Crues so I’ll stick with them to win a 3-2 thriller — so great news for Linfield!
But like all fans of the local game, I can’t wait to watch it on the telly with Seaview packed to the rafters.
Just a shame there are two other matches on tomorrow night, it takes away from the spectacle a little, but let battle commence and please don’t let it be ruined by a referee.