HEALY: COOPER NEEDS HELP FROM REFS

LINFIELD boss David Healy has urged more protection from referees for flying winger Joel Cooper following Monday night’s feisty Big Two derby at The Oval.

Cooper (left) was the victim of several heavy challenges, including a studs high tackle by Glentoran midfielder Joe

Crowe who was fortunate to escape with a yellow.

The 22-year-old, who teed up Michael O’connor’s winner for the Blues, eventually limped off 49 minutes into Linfield’s 1-0 win in East Belfast.

Healy said: “There were two really disappointing tackles on Joel and we were probably fortunate to keep him on the pitch for as long as we did.

“It’s disappointing – given the form he has been in and the fact the game was live on SKY – for Joel to be basically kicked out of the game without much protection from any official.”

Cooper, who has got off to a flying start at Windsor Park since joining the club from Glenavon in the summer, was the inspiration behind Linfield’s winner.

Picking the ball up 10 yards inside his own half, the former Northern Ireland U21 forward beat three Glentoran players before playing in O’connor to slot home.

Healy said: “It was a great finish by Michael, but Joel’s pace, decision making to cut inside and the timing of the pass was brilliant.

“It would have been nice to go on and get a second and we had opportunities to do that, but to get a win and a clean sheet is very pleasing.

“Glentoran threw everything at it, but credit to my boys. We made good decisions, put our bodies on the line and they didn’t really cut us open.”