David Healy celebrated his eight-year anniversary as Linfield boss with a 2-1 victory over Carrick Rangers – a result which helped the Blues maintain their five-point advantage at the Premiership’s summit.
Sadler s Peaky Blinder Irish Cup quarter-final round-up
The Sadler s Peaky Blinder Irish Cup is down to the last four following quarter-final victories for Ballymena United, Larne, Linfield and Crusaders.
Northern Ireland striker Shayne Lavery claimed the match ball as Linfield overcame Championship opponents Loughgall at Lakeview Park. The Villagers made the Blues work for the win, however, hitting the woodwork and keeping their visitors at bay until just before the break when Lavery fired past Berraat Turker into the far corner.
The international frontman struck again early in the second half, clinically finishing after collecting the ball on the left but Loughgall hit back through Jamie Rea. However, Lavery made sure right at the end with a curling effort from inside the area.
Sadler s Peaky Blinder Irish Cup round-up
Seven clubs booked a last 16 place as the Sadler s Peaky Blinder Irish Cup kicked off on Tuesday evening.
There were no upsets, but there also wasn t the feared avalanche of goals or one-sided affairs in games involving those non-Premiership clubs kicking their first ball in anger in many months.
Much interest was focused on the clash of Coleraine and Crusaders at The Showgrounds, a game that pitted third against sixth in the Premiership.
It proved to be a suitably tight and hard fought encounter with the only goal of the game coming with just five minutes remaining when Paul Heatley popped up a superb 30-yard strike to hand the Crues a spot in the next round.
The Hoops loanees provided goals while some played against each other. Others didn t play at all. All players away from Parkhead, however, either have a permanent switch on their minds or a return to Celtic to challenge for a spot in the first-team. Here, Glasgow Times Sport takes a look at just how the Celtic loanees played last weekend.
Olivier Ntcham (Marseille) The Frenchman was not given any opportunity to come off the bench for his side last weekend as they played out a feisty 1-1 draw against Lyon. Head coach Nasser Larguet only made one change during the 90 minutes which saw Michael Cuisance replace Saîf-Eddine Khaoui as Marseille s visitors had Lucas Paqueta sent off for two yellow cards. Karl Toko Ekambi drew first blood for Lyon after 20 minutes before Arkadiusz Milik levelled before half-time.