Linfield begin their defence of the Bet McLean League Cup on Tuesday night, when welcoming Premier Intermediate side Queen's University FC to Windsor Park, in the first round of the competition (7.45pm ko, all-ticket). The teams last met in the Irish Cup in 2020 at the Dub, when the university team produced a massive upset with a shock 2-1 win.
QUB come to Windsor on the back of an impressive 4-0 win at Lisburn Distillery. After three games played, they are sitting in second postion in the Premier Intermediate table. Promotion back to the Championship will of course be top of the agenda in the season ahead for manager James Lavery and his players. Player to watch is former Coleraine and Carrick Rangers striker Stewart Nixon, who has already hit four league goals this season.
On Saturday Linfield extended their lead at the top of the Premiership table, with a juggernaut performance that overwhelmed visitors Newry City at Windsor Park. Newry held firm for the first half hour before a thirteen minute four goal blitz put the Blues in total command of the game. The final score line (6-1) could well have been much heavier, had it not been for a stellar second half performance from the Newry goalkeeper. A good day at the office for the Blues who are starting to build up some real early momentum in the title race.
David will be taking the opportunity to shuffle his pack, as Linfield sit in the middle of a crowded fixture list of three games over six days. With this in mind, the Linfield manager will be giving players in the squad some valuable game time. Any such changes will be tempered by the threat posed by a Queen's side with 'nothing to lose and everything to gain'. Hopefully though, the Blues can deliver the result needed to put the team into the hat for the next round of this prestigious competition. COYB!
Ken Garrett
