BLUES RETURN TO WINNING WAYS
Linfield returned to winning ways with a convincing two-goal victory over Crusaders at Seaview thanks to goals from Kelsie Burrows and Megan Bell.
The Blues dominated the opening exchanges, a mazy run and shot by Kirsty McGuinness in the first minute was a sign of the night to come.
Crusaders best chance of the opening half came on 37 minutes when captain Danielle McDowell's delightful through ball to Courtney Moore was chipped just over advancing Linfield keeper Lauren Perry and fell agonisingly wide.
The deadlock was broken on 39 minutes through an uncleared corner which fell perfectly for Kelsie Burrows to smash into the roof of the net. Linfield’s second arrived just 4 minutes later with a Megan Bell pinpoint header at the back post from a Kirsty McGuinness corner.
Both teams upped the tempo in the second half and on 57 minutes Crusaders' Caitlyn Hamilton should have done better with a free header in the box which flashed just wide.
On 64 minutes a great ball by Kirsty McGuinness was put just over the bar by Louise McDaniel for the Blues. Crusaders best effort of the second half came on 72 minutes when a goalmouth scramble from a corner was cleared off the line.
Crusaders Strikers: Harvey-Clifford, Hamilton, Wright, Mearns, McDowell, Johnston, McCann, Moore, Nelson, Clare, Chalmers subs Carson (not used), Ward (replaced Johnston 83), Morton (replaced Mearns 71), Otter (not used), Rea (replaced McDowell 58)
Linfield: Perry, Fitzsimmons, Bell, K. McGuinness, Burrows, Timoney, Magee, McDaniel, Donnan, C. McGuinness, McCarron subs McCabe (not used), Bassett (replaced McDaniel 83), Moore (not used), McKenna (replaced Fitzsimmons 58), Howe (replaced C. McGuinness 83)
Substitution 
Substitution 
