Blues march on in cup

The Blues heaped more misery on the dejected Glens and made it a tough afternoon for caretaker boss Scott Young who took over from Alan McDonald on Thursday until the end of the season.

The league and cup double is very much on now for David Jeffrey's men and they will face the winners of the complicated set-up involving Coleraine, Newry, Loughgall or Larne.

"This was not about getting one over on Scott Young stressed Jeffrey. This was about Linfield getting into the semi-finals and we did that with a magnificent performance at the home of our rivals," said the Blues boss.

Robert Garrett set Linfield on their way with a pin point accurate strike from 20 yards out on 14 minutes. Home keeper Eliott Morris gifted a chance on 40 minutes when he dropped the ball and Phil Lowry was the first to react much to the delight of the huge Linfield support.

When Jamie Mulgrew added the third on 50 minutes with a brilliant finish after he was allowed to make up ground on goal it was all over.

Keith Gillespie pulled a goal back after the hour mark and Colin Nixon could have made it a nervous last few minutes had he not drilled wide from a great position.

Linfield are at home on Tuesday night when they face Dungannon in a bid to extend their lead at the top of the table.