Chris Johns (GK), Conor Pepper, Ben Hall, Jimmy Callacher, Chris Shields, Stephen Fallon, Jamie Mulgrew ©, Jake Hastie (Ahmed Salam 77’), Jordan Stewart (Kyle McClean), Chris McKee (Kieron Evans 77’), Eetu Vertainen (Ethan Devine 73’)
Jethren Barr (GK), Greg Hall, Howard Beverland, Adam McCallum (Josh Doherty 89’), Michael Ruddy ©, Stephen Teggart, Sam Warde (Oisin Conaty 45’), Joshua Chatee (George Tipton 45’), Billy Stedman (Chris Lavery 77’), Elliott Dugan (Harry Anderson 45’), Adam Salley
The Danske Bank Premiership title race took yet another turn this afternoon as Chris McKee’s winner for Linfield against Portadown fired the Blues back to the top of the table on goal difference.
Windsor Park saluted legendary captain Jamie Mulgrew on a wonderful achievement as he became number two on Linfield's list of all-time appearances with 661, surpassing Tommy Dickson on 660.
The Blues were dominant from start to finish and threatened within the opening minutes with Jordan Stewart cutting in from the right before his left-footed shot from 20 yards was held down low by the Portadown ‘keeper. Chris McKee also threatened after good closing down by Stewart and the striker fired a low strike wide from a tight angle, whilst a speculative near-post flick from Chris Shields at a corner also went wide of the target.
David Healy’s team took the lead after 24 minutes with what proved to be the game’s winning goal. Chris Shields strolled out from his position in the back three before finding Jake Hastie on the left where the winger’s low cross was deflected in the box. The ball went into the ‘corridor of uncertainty’ where the Portadown ‘keeper, defender and Chris McKee all went to meet it. Unfortunately for the goalkeeper, his block knocked the ball against McKee and into the net. It was what many would describe as a ‘proper striker’s goal’ for McKee who claimed his second of the season since joining on loan from Rangers in January.
There were further opportunities in the first half when Linfield almost scored following some neat moves. A slick move saw Jordan Stewart combine with Jake Hastie before finding the third man run of Stephen Fallon who intelligently backheeled the ball into the path of Eetu Vertainen who was only denied at close range on his home debut by a great last-ditch block by Portadown’s Michael Ruddy. The Finnish forward on loan from St. Johnstone also struck a rocket of a free-kick from 25 and, although it was down the ‘keeper’s throat, it required good hands to hold it.
A minute before the break, Vertainen was unlucky again. He turned in the box following another neat combination involving Hastie, Stewart and Fallon, but again Portadown were rescued beyond an important block.
Half Time: Linfield 1-0 Portadown
Jordan Stewart looked dangerous for Linfield on his return from injury and he was disappointed not to score five minutes into the second half. The attacking midfielder did brilliantly when he typically danced past a number of defenders in the box but when he had the opportunity to then shoot at close range he fired over.
Chris Shields was unlucky two minutes later when Ports ‘keeper Jethren Barr couldn’t get enough on Jake Hastie’s corner and when it came for Shields at the back post, his volley into the ground had to be cleared off the line by Sam Warde.
Although Chris Johns didn’t have a shot to save, Portadown did have a decent spell ten to fifteen minutes into the second half. Their big opportunity in the game fell for Stephen Teggart who did so well to create it for himself, carrying the ball from deep before breaking through a challenge and when he got a sight of goal from 20 yards he looked to curl one towards the far corner but couldn’t get enough bend on his strike.
Soon after, Portadown’s Harry Anderson clipped a dangerous ball to the back post where English attacker Billy Stedman was inches away from making contact and had he done so he may well have found the net from such a position.
As Linfield searched again for a second goal to add insurance to their slender lead, midfielder Stephen Fallon threatened twice. Firstly, he met a corner that was only half cleared by the ‘keeper’s punch and his headed effort flashed just wide of the post. A short time later Eetu Vertainen displayed quick feet once again before slipping it right to Fallon whose driven shot was well saved by Barr at full light.
Two late corners saw Jimmy Callacher go close. The first was worked short to Cardiff City loanee Kieron Evans who made an impressive cameo and he delivered to the back post where the defender headed into the side netting. Then, Salam delivered a corner which landed at close range for Callacher who dug a shot out only to see it strike the bar. The Blues held on fairly comfortably for three valuable points.
Full Time: Linfield 1 – 0 Portadown
LinfieldFC.com Man of the Match: Jamie Mulgrew
Match Images
