IRISH CUP REPLAY: ‘BLOOD AND THUNDER’ AS CRUSADERS HOST LINFIELD

ALL roads lead to Seaview on Tuesday night (7.30 pm kick off) as Crusaders do battle again with Linfield in a replay of their barnstorming fifth round tie.

Timmy Adamson is back for Crusaders v Linfield on Tuesday

Timmy Adamson is back for Crusaders v Linfield on Tuesday

And Crusaders boss Stephen Baxter is expecting nothing less than a “blood and thunder” game between the Linfield league rivals.

The game goes ahead on the artificial pitch on the Shore Road ground after days of heavy snow.

But other games scheduled for this evening have not been so fortunate

Heavy snow and freezing conditions have forced the postponement of the re-arranged Irish Premiership game between Lisburn Distillery and Portadown as the New Grosvenor pitch is frozen.

The other game called off is the Irish Cup fifth round replay between Larne and Lurgan Celtic at Inver Park.

A packed crowd is expected at Seaview following the 2-2 draw at Windsor Park just ten days ago.

Tickets are still available to be bought at the turnstile.

And Crusaders welcome back Jordan Owens, Timmy Adamson and Davy Magowan for the replay.

The Crues trio return from suspension for the Seaview clash while Johnny Black is banned for the Blues.

The tie is one Stephen Baxter is relishing.

He told BBC NI Sport: “I expect a blood and thunder affair – it was a great match at Windsor Park and I expect the same on Tuesday night.

“It’s about the team settling down and passing the ball around. Linfield are superb so it will be tough but these are the type of games you want to play in.”

Baxter has brought in two goalkeepers to replace the sidelined O’Neill and Craig Hyland has received international clearance.

Crusaders also expect French keeper Yohann Lacroix to get clearance ahead of the north Belfast game.

Crues full-back Gareth McKeown is a doubt after suffering a hamstring injury in Saturday’s 5-1 win over Ballymena United.

 

 

Share |


Comments are closed.

BD Top 5
FacebookTwitter
BD TV
Email Us