Michael Carvill puts Linfield in Shield final

HE MISSED a penalty against Portadown at the weekend but last night Michael Carvill redeemed himself.

He scored direct from a corner to give Linfield victory over Crusaders in the Co Antrim Shield semi-final at Seaview.

Crues keeper Sean O’Neill failed to prevent Carvill’s inswinging corner from going in after eight minutes.

O’Neill tipped over a Robert Garrett shot before David Rainey fired straight at Blues keeper Alan Blayney.

Blayney saved from Matthew Snoddy in the second half while Peter Thompson was off-target when clear on goal.

Blues midfielder Jamie Mulgrew saw his long-range strike in the first half fly over.

Referee Colin Burns awarded a free-kick after Snoody was brought down by Garrett but the Crues protested that the foul was inside the area.

Linfield midfielder Philip Lowry had his effort cleared off the line on 68 minutes before Snoddy shot straight at Blayney.

Substitute Thompson wasted an excellent chance with just O’Neill to beat after 77 minutes while the keeper saved from Mulgrew’s late snap-shot.

Linfield will take on Ballymena United in the 27 November final after their 2-0 win over Donegal Celtic.