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Linfield got the New Year and the new decade off to the best possible start with a comfortable victory over Institute at Windsor Park this afternoon.

The Blues almost went ahead after ten minutes when Daniel Kearns played a nice exchange with Bastien Hery to reach the byline, but he slightly overran it as the ball went out of play before Waterworth put it in the net. Soon after, the ball hit off Mark Haughey from a Kirk Millar corner but the ball flashed wide of the goal.

Bastien Hery also threatened when he created space for a shot from 25 yards which dripped awkwardly for visiting goalkeeper Rory Brown who was able to palm it away. Shayne Lavery latched onto the loose ball but his cross by the face of goal was sniffed out.

Shayne Lavery was also denied by Rory Brown when he connected well with a header from Kirk Millar’s corner but it was well saved by the diving goalkeeper.

The Blues’ persistence finally paid off on 28 minutes. Joel Cooper breezed past three ‘Stute men before being caught by defender Dean Curry in the box. Referee Lee Tavinder pointed to the spot and up stepped Andy Waterworth to score Linfield’s first goal of the decade, slotting the ball low into the bottom right corner.

Linfield doubled their lead four minutes later. Kirk Millar swung in a corner which was glanced on at the front post by Andy Waterworth for Mark Haughey to fire home from close range.

It was almost three nil before the break as the lively Daniel Kearns ghosted into the box before heading over Kirk Millar’s cross from the left, before Joel Cooper’s stinging shot was saved by the ‘keeper. The ball landed at the feet of Waterworth on the face of goal but he didn’t know much about it and wasn’t able to take full advantage.

Half Time: Linfield 2 – 0 Institute

Linfield almost added another within a minute of the restart when Daniel Kearns sent Shayne Lavery through on goal but his wait for a home goal continued as he dragged a shot wide from inside the box.

The visitors had another let-off minutes later when Kirk Millar fizzed in a free-kick which was touched onto the post by Mark Haughey before Brown kept out Lavery’s follow-up effort. Waterworth was next to threaten after being slipped through by Millar but his shot was well saved.

Shayne Lavery’s search for a goal was finally complete 20 minutes from time. Joel Cooper picked out the unmarked Jordan Stewart in the middle and his shot was well saved at close range but the ball fell kindly for Shayne Lavery to poke the ball home.

It was one-way traffic and only a matter of how many in the closing stages. Joel Cooper went close again with a thunderous effort from the left which whistled just wide of the upright.

Lavery was unfortunate not to have scored more goals this afternoon and he was denied by yet another great save on 82 minutes when his acrobatic volley was pushed around the post. The ‘keeper was in great form to deny Ross Larkin from close range when he looked set to score his first goal from the Club.

Windsor Park paid tribute to former Linfield goalkeeper Tommy Moffatt with a minutes silence prior to kick-off, following his sad passing on Christmas eve.

Full Time: Linfield 3 – 0 Institute

LinfieldFC.com Man of the Match: Jamie Mulgrew

Match Images

1. David Healy : We probably didn't take enough of our chances
2. Kyle McClean programme article
3. Managers programme notes