Soccer

Linfield win puts big dent in Cliftonville's hopes of securing European football

Linfield's Andrew Waterworth after scoring his team's second goal during Monday's 2-0 win over Cliftonville in the Danske Bank Premiership clash at Windsor Park<br />Picture by Pacemaker<br />&nbsp;
Linfield's Andrew Waterworth after scoring his team's second goal during Monday's 2-0 win over Cliftonville in the Danske Bank Premiership clash at Windsor Park
Picture by Pacemaker
 
Linfield's Andrew Waterworth after scoring his team's second goal during Monday's 2-0 win over Cliftonville in the Danske Bank Premiership clash at Windsor Park
Picture by Pacemaker
 

Danske Bank Premiership: Linfield 2 Cliftonville 0

ANDY Waterworth last night helped kick Cliftonville’s chances of claiming the Danske Premiership runners-up into touch at Windsor Park.

The big 30-year-old striker hit his 20th goal of the season to leave Gerard Lyttle’s team down and out -- and sweating on a European qualification spot.

Stephen Lowry got Linfield’s party started when he converted from the penalty spot before Waterworth guaranteed David Healy’s boys only their second home league win since the turn of the year.

With only seven games now remaining, the Reds are now a whopping 14 points behind Linfield, who are still clinging to the tails of table-topping Crusaders.

The Reds’ only hope of a European place for next season will now rest with play-offs at the end of the league campaign.

Should Linfield happen to win the Irish Cup, it could also open the Euro door to their rivals -- assuming they nail down third place. That is by no means a forgone conclusion as the in-form Coleraine and Ballymena United are snapping at their heels.

The home team roared from the traps and were were almost in front on four minutes when skipper Jamie Mulgrew powered forward to send in a blistering 25 yard drive that goalkeeper Jason Mooney beat away.

The Blues almost carved out an opener following a clever short corner kick routine involving Mulgrew and Smyth, whose cross was headed inches past by defender Mark Haughey.

It was no surprise when the breakthrough did arrive on 22 minutes. Haughey was again in the thick of the action when his shot struck the outstretched arm of defender Chris Ramsey and referee Andrew Davey was perfectly position to award the penalty kick. Lowry stepped up to send Mooney the wrong way form the spot.

Haughey turned villain at the other end within five minutes. The big defender was guilty of hauling down Aaron Haire inside the box. Jay Donnelly stepped up to send his low spot-kick wide of the mark.

Linfield almost dished out the ultimate punishment on 30 minutes. Waterworth’s tenacity took him clear on the right and when he fired a low cross, Cameron Stewart’s drive crashed against the base of the post.

The Reds attempted to rescue the situation by stitching together an impressive move that resulted in Haire heading a cross from Tomas Cosgrove over the top. But it was the Blues who got a second goal five minutes from the interval.

Smyth, who was a constant threat to the visiting defence, whipped in a cross form the right that Mooney failed to deal with. Lowry had a shot charged down leaving Waterworth with a simple finish.

The Blues kept their foot on the gas after the break and really should have had a third goal when Haughey met a Niall Quinn cross at the back post, but he could only roll his shot wide.

Within seconds, another Quinn corner-kick found the unmarked Mark Stafford, but his shot bounced back off the inside of the post.

Haughey had the ball in the net again on 69 minutes, but referee Davey disallowed the effort as Waterworth had let the ball roll out of play before crossing.

Linfield: Carroll, Stafford, Stewart (Burns 85), Haughey (Casement 80), Callacher, Waterworth, Lowry, Clarke, Mulgrew, Quinn, Smyth (Millar 90).

Unused subs: Ward, Gaynor.

Cliftonville: Mooney, Ives, Bonner, Ramsey, Curran, Garrett (Lavery 76), Hughes (Winchester 46), J Donnelly (M Donnelly 66), Cosgrove, Nelson, Haire.

Unused subs: Burke, Seydak.

Referee: A Davey (Bangor).