Danske Bank Premiership: Glenavon 0 Crusaders 1
JUST one more win from their final three games will see Crusaders crowned back-to-back Irish League champions.
Their narrow win at Mourneview Park on Saturday maintained an eight-point gap to Linfield, and they can lift the Gibson Cup with a win at Solitude on Tuesday night just as they did last season. The three points came courtesy of a brilliant header from Jordan Owens in the 56th minute. The big striker rose highest to smack the ball past Johnny Tuffey from a pinpoint Gavin Whyte free-kick.
It was a 17th league goal for the centre-forward, who earlier in the season became the leading all-time goalscorer for the Shore Road men. Flying Crues winger Paul Heatley spoke of both the relief at clearing a tough hurdle against a side chasing third spot and the quality of the towering Owens.
“It was an important three points,” declared Heatley, who has contributed 20 goals in this campaign to put himself firmly in the picture to once again be named player-of-the-year.
“We knew it was going to be ridiculously tough and physical and a massive challenge, but thankfully we managed to come out with the three points that we wanted. Glenavon are a very impressive side and I think their form this season certainly shows that.
“[Jordan is] big, he’s physical but he has many more attributes that maybe go a little unnoticed outside of the team. But playing with him week in, week out and seeing him in training – we know what an array of talent he has. He has great ability with his feet as well as in the air.
“He works very, very hard on and off the ball, so he offers a lot more than just being a physical presence when we have the ball. He is always there in the big games and he always shows up, so credit to him.”
The result could have been different had Glenavon striker Eoin Bradley taken a couple of first half chances. For Heatley, the fact that he didn’t is due to the form of the man at the other end of the pitch: “I think when you’re at the top you have to ride your luck a little bit,” said Heatley.
“We’re ever closer to lifting the title and certain moments in the game can be really decisive, but I think Sean O’Neill has just shown his class. I don’t even think it was poor finishing - I think it was just outstanding goalkeeping on Sean’s part and I think that’s his 18th clean sheet of the season. So there’s certainly no argument about who’s the best in the league when it comes to that. He’s incredible and he’s saved us maybe 15 points this year - so massive credit to him.”
The three remaining games for the champions are Cliftonville on Tuesday evening, Coleraine at home on Saturday and then Glentoran at the Oval on April 30. There is nothing straightforward about any of those fixtures.
And it is clear from talking to Heatley that they would, at this stage, just like it to be done and dusted: “Regardless of what venue it’s at, the opportunity is there and we certainly plan on taking it because the sooner it’s wrapped up the better,” he said.
“It means we can enjoy the remainder of the season, but we can’t take our foot off the pedal. We have to continue to work extremely hard until we’re over the line and Tuesday’s a great opportunity for us to achieve that, so there will certainly be no let-up.”
