David Walsh (GK), Ross Larkin, Jimmy Callacher (C), Sam Roscoe (Kyle McClean 58'), Matthew Clarke, Joshua Archer (Stephen Fallon 74'), Chris Shields, Ahmed Salam, Jordan Stewart, Martin Donnelly, Andrew Clarke (Christy Manzinga 74')
Luke McNicholas (GK), Chris Curran ©, Luke Turner, Jonathan Addis, Levi Ives, Chris Gallagher, Daniel Kearns (Paul 0’Neill 80’), Kris Lowe, Ryan Curran, Jamie McDonagh (Conor McDermott 66’), Joe Gormley
Linfield tonight booked their place in the final of the 2021-22 County Antrim Shield with a dramatic victory over Cliftonville on a cold winters night at Solitude.
The Blues were well on top for the first half hour of match and almost led after six minutes, In-form winger Ahmed Salam was very unlucky not to score as he got on the ball in a pocket of space in a central area before shooting from 20 yards with a fierce strike that swerved onto the post as a helpless goalkeeper watched on.
Cliftonville defender Jonathan Addis came to the Reds’ rescue when Matthew Clarke had surged up the left flank to deliver a low cross which was going right to the foot of forward Andrew Clarke who would have surely converted from close range in the middle had Addis not managed to get an outstretched foot onto it to turn the ball behind for a corner.
The lively Jordan Stewart also threatened with a great effort as he took advantage of time and space to strike sweetly from 25 yards with a shot that had to be well saved by the Cliftonville goalkeeper who tipped over. Ross Larkin headed over the following corner which was delivered by Martin Donnelly who had probably his best game in a Linfield shirt to date.
Cliftonville came into it more in the last 10 or 15 minutes of the half as they got more of a foothold in the game and their chance of the first half fell for Jamie McDonagh after a ricochet off Chris Shields. The Reds winger burst away into the box into a shooting position but his effort was fired into the side netting.
Half Time: Cliftonville 0-0 Linfield
Cliftonville came out strongly after the break and had the better of the second half. Paddy McLaughlin’s men put Linfield under pressure right from the off and almost scored what would have been a splendid team goal on 51 minutes. It started with former Linfield midfielder Daniel Kearns playing a one-two from deep, dummying the ball to create space to slip it to his left. Ryan Curran then deceivingly left the ball so it would run through to Joe Gormley in the box but as he tried to pass it across goal it was crucially blocked by Chris Shields.
The breakthrough did arrive on 61 minutes as Cliftonville took the lead. The Reds kept an attacking move alive and Kris Lowe turned in the box before Jordan Stewart caught him clumsily from behind as the referee pointed for a penalty. Ryan Curran stepped up to send David Walsh the opposite way and covert.
David Healy’s men looked to respond as great wing play from Jordan Stewart followed by a great delivery was headed wide of the post by Ross Larkin who unsuccessfully claimed for a corner. Soon after, Andrew Clarke’s typical desire to close down saw him win the ball high up and that allowed Martin Donnelly to surge towards the edge of the box from where his low shot was well held by the goalkeeper.
Blues boss Healy then made a double change 15 minutes from time with the intorductions of Saturday’s two goalscorers, Stephen Fallon and Christy Manzinga
which helped lay foundations for a late surge as Cliftonville were pinned back. Jimmy Callacher also played a part in this, surging out from the back and also turning the Reds with balls in behind.
Callacher also had a strong appeal for a penalty waved away on 83 minutes when he went down claiming he was pulled down as he looked to try and attack Martin Donnelly’s free-kick to the back post area.
The aforementioned double substitution almost had a direct impact as in the 90th minute Stephen Fallon delivered a great cross from the right which was converted by a diving header by Christy Manzinga, however, it was chalked off for offside, although the reactions from that end of the ground suggest it was a close call.
Linfield fought to the death and they got their rewards with a dramatic equaliser. It came in the third of four additional minutes when Chris Shields beat Ryan Curran on the right before fizzing in a deep cross at pace to the back post of a crowded penalty area.The ball bobbled around before falling for Kyle McClean who got it under control to poke the ball low into the net from close range. It adds to a remarkable few weeks for the young midfielder who has burst back onto the scene since returning from a nine-month injury lay-off recently.
Full Time: Cliftonville 1 – 1 Linfield
In line with the rules of the County Antrim Shield, there was no extra time – the game went straight to a penalty shoot-out following Kyle McClean’s late leveller. Martin Donnelly and Chris Shields both converted from the spot for Linfield. Jordan Stewart and Ahmed Salam both failed to score, however they were saved by 19 year-old goalkeeper David Walsh who made saves to deny Paul O’Neill and Levi Ives. A pivotal moment in the shoot-out was Cliftonville’s second kick which was scored by Chris Curran – however, he unfortunately slipped in the process and because he made contact with the ball twice - kicking the ball against his standing foot - it meant it was recorded as a miss. Similarly, if this happens in a match it’s given as a free-kick out the other way. Therefore, once David Walsh saved from Paul O’Neill there was no need for Linfield to take a fifth kick as they won 2-1 on penalties to march on to the final where they'll meet Larne early in 2022. Further details on that are yet to be arranged.
Match Images
