WILSON AND McDOWELL STRIKE FOR THE CRUES
Crusaders Strikers strengthened their grip on third spot with a comfortable 3-1 win at Linfield, with all the visitors goals coming in the first half.
Northern Ireland international striker Emily Wilson struck twice within the opening 12 minutes for Spike Hill’s side before Danielle McDowell added a third three minutes before the break.
Wilson capitalised twice from Amy McGivern’s through balls while a sweetly struck free-kick from McDowell crashed off the crossbar and bounced inches over the line.
Rebecca McKenna - another international star - pulled a goal back 12 minutes from time but it was not enough for the Blues, who remain in fourth spot and 12 points off the top.
Sienna Leckey was twice denied by Crues goalkeeper Maddy Harvey-Clifford in the second half before Rebecca McKenna pulled one back with 20 minutes remaining.
Despite late pressure from the Blues, they remain fourth in the standings and 12 points off the summit.
Linfield Ladies: Adams, Fitzsimmons, McFrederick, Moore, Carleton, Bassett, Johnston, McKenna, Dickson, E. Leckey, McMaster subs Smyth (not used), Marks (replaced Dickson 69), S. Leckey (replaced Bassett 47), McConnell (not used)
Crusaders Strikers: Harvey-Clifford, Archibald, McGivern, McDowell, Nelson, Armour, Otter, Chalmers, Wilson, Cameron, Rea subs Hamilton (replaced Otter 87), F. Johnston (not used), McCann (not used), Rodgers (replaced Rea 84), Boyle (replaced Armour 61)
Substitution 
Substitution 
