• Home
• Fixtures
• Match Report

Match Details

Teams

Report

Linfield had Warrenpoint Town camped in their box for the most part but the Blues couldn’t make it count with a winner on a frustrating afternoon at Windsor Park.

Christy Manzinga’s runs were well-timed in the opening minutes as he raced down the inside left channel to reach a ball over the top by Stephen Fallon and the striker’s shot from just inside the box looked to try and find the far corner but it was well saved by Conor Mitchell down low to his left side.

Jordan Stewart was very unfortunate not to put the Blues in front after seven minutes with a superb effort. The attacker got the ball to the left, just inside the Warrenpoint box and he shaped a curling effort which had the ‘keeper beaten but it didn’t dip quite enough and it struck the crossbar.

A deserved breakthrough arrived for Linfield after a dominant start when Jordan Stewart played a pass in behind a high Warrenpoint line and after a few well-timed threatening runs from Manzinga, this time there was no denial as he raced through before firing a low shot into the far left corner for his 16th goal of the season.

Barry Gray’s men came to an equaliser soon after when winger Kealan Dillon took on a fierce strike from distance and Chris Johns had to be alert as he punched a swerving strike away from goal.

The Point then drew level after 22 minutes when Jimmy Callacher fouled on the edge of the Linfield box which allowed the basement side a chance to shoot from a great position. Midfielder Jonathan Leddy put his foot through it and found the bottom corner with a sweet strike.

Warrenpoint ‘keeper Conor Mitchell made two good saves in a minute to keep the scores level, firstly to Jordan Stewart whose 30 yard strike dipped awkwardly in front of the ‘keeper, and then an even better save to deny Kyle McClean’s strong hit from close range after a Manzinga’s cross from the left fell kindly to the midfielder.

Half Time: Linfield 1-1 Warrenpoint Town

A snapshot almost had Warrenpoint ahead five minutes into the second half as Thomas Maguire connected well with a half-volley after the ball dropped on the edge of the box and Chris Johns was forced into a very good save to his right.

The Blues were then unlucky not to lead after 54 minutes when Martin Donnelly’s deep corner was met by the head of Jimmy Callacher followed by a touch from Ahmed Salam and the ball hit the inside of the post before Warrenpoint scrambled it clear. Kirk Millar also went close a minute later when he cut inside for a left-footed shot which may well have been heading for the top corner had Warrenpoint defender Daniel Byrne not been protecting his goal to head clear.

A golden opportunity for Warrenpoint arrived on the hour-mark when Alan O’Sullivan went in the clear after skipping beyond Jimmy Callacher and the striker tried to pick out the far corner but Chris Johns was equal to it with good positioning to save down low to his left.

It took another great save from Chris Johns on 72 minutes as it opened up for Warrenpoint on the break. Luke Wade Slater charged forward from a Linfield corner and when he cut in from the left his shot took a wicked deflection to which Johns reacted superbly to claw it away.

Martin Donnelly’s free-kick from the left was smartly pushed around the post by Mitchell and the goalkeeper denied Linfield again from the resultant corner which was headed goalwards by Jimmy Callacher.

Andy Clarke headed over a corner from Niall Quinn before Jimmy Callacher had the big chance to win it at the death when Niall Quinn’s shot deflected to his feet inside the box but he scuffed wide from close range.

Full Time: Linfield 1 – 1 Warrenpoint Town

LinfieldFC.com Man of the Match: Stephen Fallon

Match Images

1. David Healy : We lacked that determination, hunger, urgency
2. Stephen Fallon programme article
3. Manager’s programme notes