CRUES SHARPEN THE HATCHET

Crusaders 2 Cliftonville 0

CRUSADERS are breathing down Coleraine’s neck at the top of the Premiership thanks to this festive win over derby rivals Cliftonville.

Gavin Whyte was the Boxing Day toast of Seaview, the talented winger (left) twice firing home early doors and at the death to seal the points. Victory eased Stephen Baxter’s men to within four points of title pacesetters Coleraine – who were held 1-1 by Ballymena United – with the added bonus of a crucial game in hand.

Whyte, an early contender for player of the season, opened the scoring with a memorable solo goal just 12 minutes in.

The 21-year-old skipped his way past Garry Breen as he cut inside the area before unleashing a shot past Brian Neeson, although the keeper wasn’t helped by a slight deflection.

Whyte bagged his second of the day – and 15th of the season - in added time when he completed a Crusaders breakaway as Cliftonville frantically pressed for an equaliser.

At the other end, Rory Donnelly headed wide for Cliftonville in the opening half, while Daniel Hughes also billowed the sidenetting.

While Cliftonville’s surge up the table has been stalled with two defeats on the bounce, the Crues are clicking through the gears heading into the New Year.

The Shore Road men are now 16 games unbeaten – 15 wins and a draw – since suffering their last defeat to Glenavon back on October 14.