Danske Bank Premiership Round-Up April 9th 2016

Defending champions Crusaders took a massive step towards retaining their Dankse Bank Premiership title on Saturday afternoon with a 2-0 victory over nearest challengers Linfield at a packed Seaview. The result leaves the Crues eight points clear of Linfield with just four games left.

A tense game at the North Belfast venue was settled by two late goals from Gavin Whyte and Jordan Forsythe. Crusaders had most of the play in the first half but were unable to make the vital breakthrough.

For most of the second half Linfield bombarded the Crusaders goal but were thwarted by two fantastic saves by Crues keeper Sean O’Neill.

However, as the Blues chased the game in the final minutes, Northern Ireland Under 21 International Gavin Whyte collected a flick on from Jordan Owens and slotted the ball past Ross Glendinning. In injury time Jordan Forsythe lobbed the Blues keeper from 30 yards after he went in search of an equaliser for the Blues.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Cliftonville moved back up to third position following a 3-1 win over Glenavon at Solitude. All the scoring came in the second half with Cliftonville’s goals coming from Darren Murray, Jude Winchester and Jay Donnelly. Glenavon’s consolation goal came from former Dundalk defender Simon Kelly.

The final game in the top six saw Coleraine and Glentoran draw 1-1 at the Showgrounds. The Bannsiders took the lead early in the first half through James McLaughlin, however the Glens equalised in the second half through Jonathan Smith’s penalty.

The bottom four sides faced each other as the battle to avoid relegation also enters the final stretch. Bottom side Warrenpoint Town drew 1-1 with tenth placed Carrick Rangers at Milltown with both sides finishing the game with ten men. Adam Salley had given Rangers the lead only for Stephen Murray to equalise from the spot for Warrenpoint.

Portadown picked up their first point under interim boss Pat McGibbon after their 0-0 draw with Ballinamallard United at Shamrock Park. Portadown remain ninth while the Mallards stay eleventh and in the relegation play off spot.

The day’s final game saw revitalised Ballymena United leapfrog Dungannon Swifts into seventh place and the Europa League Play Off spot, after a 4-2 at Stangmore Park. United’s goals came from a brace from Darren Henderson, Johnny Frazer and Kyle McVey. The Swifts replied through goals from Jamie Glackin and Andy Mitchell.