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Linfield were edged out by rivals Glentoran in tonight’s league clash at a sold-out Oval as the Glens moved three points clear at the top of the Danske Bank Premiership. Linfield will feel they deserved something from the game and will be kicking themselves at missed chances.

The first half was a cagey affair at a rainswept Oval with neither side willing to take too many risks, understandably, whilst matching eachother up in 4-3-3 formations. The Glens perhaps slightly edge the opening 45 on the basis that they had more time on the ball in Linfield’s third but without causing too many major problems.

It was the Blues who were first to threaten on the night however. Powerful winger Jake Hastie – on loan for the second half of the season from Rangers – cut in from the right and saw space to shoot from 25 yards. He connected cleanly but his effort whistled just over.

The biggest scare for Linfield in the first half came when Glens full-back and captain Marcus Kane whipped in a cross which Blues ‘keeper Chris Johns initially spilled but fortunately, he was able to gather at the second attempt close to his goalline. Kane also had a decent opportunity to shoot a short time later when he got the ball on the edge of the box following a corner but he dragged a low shot wide.

Sam Roscoe’s eyes lit up when Niall Quinn’s inswinging free-kick looked destined for his head but it was crucially flicked behind by Glens defender Patrick McClean who was available for selection despite a straight red card against Portadown on Tuesday night as Glentoran appealed his sending off which allowed him to play.

Roscoe also made some important defensive blocks, whilst Glens midfielder Sean Murray was unlucky as he did well to meet Clucas’ ball to the back post with a left-foot volley at full stretch but it flashed wide of the far post.

Half Time: Glentoran 0-0 Linfield

The Blues had a great opportunity seven minutes into the second half with a well-worked free-kick after Mulgrew was fouled down the right side. Jake Hastie whipped in a free-kick delivery to the back post for Sam Roscoe who moved smartly before his header was well saved by Aaron McCarey. The rebound was a difficult one for Manzinga for fired wide on the volley.

However, the Glens drew first blood not long after. Blues defender Sam Roscoe misjudged the flight of a long ball into the channel which allowed Jay Donnelly to beat him to it and race through on goal. Donnelly’s shot from inside the box was brilliantly blocked by Conor Pepper but Conor McMenamin was following up to tap in the rebound.

David Healy’s men should have been level on 70 minutes when Christy Manzinga beat the right full-back to lead a counter-attack which was so promising but he picked the wrong option and a Glentoran defender intercepted when the forward attempted to square it to debutant Eetu Vertainen to his right.

McMenamin then threatened a second for the Glens when he got on the ball in the box before shifting the ball onto his left foot for a shot which flashed inches wide of the far post.

The Blues had another chance to equalise, six minutes from time when Kirk Millar’s cross following a corner fell for Matthew Clarke who volleyed just over from 15 yards.

And somehow, Linfield were denied at the death in the fourth of four added minutes. Matthew Clarke put in a great cross for Sam Roscoe whose header was kept out by a remarkable save by Aaron McCarey in the Glentoran goal. Roscoe had a follow-up header also clawed away and Chris McKee was denied on the rebound.

Full Time: Glentoran 1 – 0 Linfield

Match Images

1. David Healy : We created our own problems for the goal, which was soft