Ballymena United secured a vital 2-0 win against Crusaders, moving three points clear of the relegation play-off spot in the Irish Premiership, while Linfield triumphed over Dungannon Swifts with a score of 4-1.
After a scoreless first half, Igor Rutkowski netted two goals to clinch the important three points for the Sky Blues at the Ballymena Showgrounds.
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At Stangmore Park, Linfield comfortably defeated the 10-man Swifts.
Matthew Fitzpatrick opened the scoring for Linfield early on, but Dungannon quickly equalized through Gael Bigirimana in the 8th minute.
However, two goals from Isaac Baird in the second half and a strike from Kyle McClean extended the Blues’ unbeaten streak to eight matches.
On Tuesday, a third Irish Premiership match between Portadown and Cliftonville was abandoned due to floodlight failure.
Rutkowski Shines as Ballymena Overcomes Crusaders
Rutkowski emerged as Ballymena’s most threatening player in the early stages, forcing a brilliant save from Crusaders keeper Musa Dibaga midway through the first half.
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David Toure, playing in an attacking wing-back role, sent in a tempting cross that Rutkowski flicked towards goal with his head, prompting a tip-over from Dibaga.
At the other end, the visitors struggled to make an impact, with Kieran McKechine coming closest with a shot from outside the box that went wide just before half-time.
Ballymena United took the lead eight minutes after the break when Rutkowski scored his fifth goal for the club since joining in January, heading in a well-placed free-kick from Dylan McGeouch into the far corner, leaving Dibaga with no chance.
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Aaron Jarvis nearly doubled the home side’s lead shortly after, with a long-range shot that missed narrowly. Second-half substitute Finley Thorndike also failed to hit the target from distance, while Ballymena captain Matthew Clarke shot wide after a pass from Jarvis.
Success Edogun forced a strong save from Dibaga before Ballymena United secured a two-goal cushion with just six minutes to go. Rutkowski was fouled in the box by the Crusaders keeper but confidently converted the subsequent penalty kick to complete his brace.
Linfield Easily Defeats Dungannon Swifts
Linfield seized the lead in the fifth minute after Dungannon lost possession in their own half. Isaac Baird penetrated the left side of the penalty area and squared the ball to Fitzpatrick, who finished past Declan Dunne.
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The advantage was short-lived, as Dungannon equalized just three minutes later when Adam Glenny’s chip set up Bigirimana, who slotted a low shot across Chris Johns into the bottom corner.
Linfield almost regained the lead in the 16th minute, but Fitzpatrick’s attempt came back off the post following a misplayed pass by Kealan Dillon. The goal frame saved Dungannon again in the 36th minute when Fitzpatrick’s angled shot, after a defensive mistake, was deflected onto the post by Dunne.
Dungannon nearly took the lead in first-half stoppage time when Kobei Moore’s pass found Kealan Dillon, but his shot was blocked by Johns, resulting in a goal kick.
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The league champions reclaimed the lead ten minutes into the second half after a cross from Darragh Leahy confused the Dungannon defense. Fitzpatrick and Ben Hall’s initial attempts were blocked, but the ball fell to Baird, allowing him to slot in from 10 yards.
Baird struck again with 16 minutes remaining, taking advantage of a scramble in the penalty area after a corner from Sam Taylor.
Linfield capped off the scoring five minutes from time when Kyle McClean intercepted the ball from Glenny, raced into the box, and fired high into the net past Dunne.
Dungannon’s night took a turn for the worse in injury time when substitute Mal Smith received a red card for a foul on Matt Yates, as the referee determined there were no covering defenders behind him.