Big Two clash in last eight

AFTER disposing of Dungannon Swifts in style Linfield will now face Glentoran at The Oval in the last eight of the Irish Cup.

The Blues booked their place in the draw with another solid display in a game which saw three players sent off and Swifts' boss Dixie Robinson sent from the dugout by refree Adrian McCourt.

"First of all I am pleased we are into the next round," said manager David Jeffrey. "The fact we have drawn the Glens away is no different than any other team at this stage of the competition. "Every team you face it will be like a final. You like to be at home, but we can look forward now to another cup battle with our old foes.

"Some of our football against Dungannon was excellent. Curtis Allen scored a magnificent goal and created one for Peter Thompson. We have turned the corner in recent weeks but there is still a lot of hard work to do in the coming weeks and months."

Linfield took the lead inside the first two minutes when an attempted clearance by Andrew Ferguson smashed off the inrushing Billy Joe Burns and the ball flew past Alvin Rouse. It was 2-0 after a good break on the left wing saw Allen cross for Thompson to meet on the volley and direct past Rouse.

The Blues were awarded a penalty and it gave JP Gallagher the chance to score his first goal for Linfield and against his former club, but Rouse guessed right and made the save.

However, the best was yet to come when Thompson flicked on a throw in and with his back to goal Allen produced an overhead kick and Rouse could only watch the ball sail into the roof of the net. One of the most spectacular goals seen at Winsor Park in some time.

Dungannon had McCafferty sent off and then manager Robinson was sent to the stands after a penalty appeal was turned down.

In the second half the Blues were also down to ten men after Burns was sent off for kicking the ball away. The visitors then lost Michael Ward when he pulled down Garrett.

Linfield won a second penalty when Allen was hauled to the deck and this time Jim Irvin made no mistake to claim his ninth goal of the season and Linfield were on their way to the quarter-finals.

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