GROIN STRAIN MAY RULE MCCUTCHEON OUT OF IRN-BRU LEAGUE CUP FINAL

Groin strain could rule McCutcheon out of League Cup final

Groin strain could rule McCutcheon out of League Cup final

CRUSADERS striker Gary McCutcheon is a serious doubt for this weekend’s IRN-BRU League Cup final clash against Cliftonville.

The Scottish-born player pulled up with a hamstring injury during the Crues 2-1 win over Linfield in the replay of their Irish Cup fifth round match at Seaview on Tuesday night.

Said Crues boss Stephen Baxter: “It’s a hamstring so that’s normally a two week job. Gary is doubtful for League Cup final.”

It was the only bad news on the night for Crusaders.

But Linfield’s woes continue.

A message on Linfield’s Twitter account after the game said it all about their 2012/2013 season.

“That was as poor of a performance as there has been all season in the 2nd half.

“Hard to tell whose season depended on that result more.”

The team were beaten in a penalty shoot out with Ballymena Utd to lose the Co Antrim Shield Final.

And Crusaders beat them again in the IRN-BRU League Cup semi-final.

The league must now be the priority the Blues but they are third place behind Crusaders and runaway leaders Cliftonville.

At Seaview, it was former Lnfield striker Timmy Adamson scored the winner against his old club as Crusaders won Tuesday’s Irish Cup fifth round replay 2-1 at Seaview.

Adamson pounced in the 69th minute to put the Crues through to the last 16 where they will be at home to Glenavon.

Linfield had taken the lead on 27 minutes through a Brian McCaul strike.

Crusaders equalised when Gary McCutcheon netted a 39th-minute penalty after Linfield defender Albert Watson had pulled down Adamson.

Just before that Linfield felt they should have had a penalty when Michael Carvill went down as debutant keeper Craig Hyland came out.

However, referee Colin Burns ruled it was not a penalty and booked Carvill for diving.

In the second half, with the tie at 1-1, Crues defender Craig McClean saw his 35-yard shot strike the visitors’ crossbar.

Adamson’s winner – his 15th goal of the season – came when the ball broke to him after l Heatley’s mishit effort had deflected off a Linfield defender.

It is the first time in 16 years that Linfield, double winners in six of the last seven seasons, have lost their opening match in the Irish Cup.

“On the balance of play, I think we deserved to win,” said Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter.

“We created chances to put the game to bed and did not take them.

“It was never going to be pretty. It was a battle and both sides had plenty of warriors.

“They scored a beautiful goal – a real bullet of a shot.

“But we did not panic and restricted them quite well after that.”

 

SIXTH ROUND DRAW:

Lisburn Distillery v Dundela

Cliftonville v Donegal Celtic

Bangor v Glentoran

Institute v Kilmore Rec.

Ballymena Utd v Coleraine

Crusaders v Glenavon

Larne or Lurgan Celtic v Knockbreda

Portadown v Ards

 

 

 

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