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Holders Linfield progressed to the sixth round of the Irish Cup with a comfortable 4-0 win over Lurgan side Oxford Sunnyside at Windsor Park this afternoon.

Despite dominating the ball from the off, it took 25 minutes before Linfield went close. The Blues threatened twice in a minute when Stephen Fallon eventually got a shot away that was straight down the ‘keeper’s throat after individual runs from Jordan Stewart and Martin Donnelly across a crowded box brought danger, and then Donnelly got on the end of a great clipped pass in behind by Jordan Stewart. Donnelly caught it nicely on the volley with his weaker right foot but with the ‘keeper beaten he saw his effort come back off the crossbar.

The Mid Ulster league side almost took a shock lead a few minutes later when experienced striker Warner Mullen played in a hopeful low cross which found his only teammate in the box, Kevin McAlinden who connected on the volley which was importantly blocked by Ahmed Salam.

The Blues were relieved to finally take the lead after 44 minutes when Jimmy Callacher headed a deep Martin Donnelly corner back into the danger area and after Ahmed Salam was denied at close range by a great save from Kieran McKerr, Kyle McClean was following up to stab home from close range.

Half Time: Linfield 1-0 Oxford Sunnyside

Linfield started the second half stronger than they were in the first and doubled their lead four minutes after the break. Martin Donnelly was the goalscorer as he fired a low free-kick into the corner from 25 yards, his third goal of the season.

There was a roar of excitement from a strong away support in the North Stand when it looked like forward Nathan Finlay may have been through on goal following a defensive slip, but he was beaten to the through ball but an alert Chris Johns. A few minutes later there was another moment of excitement for the Lurgan men as Linfield left the back door open and Michael Toland raced through but he fired a low strike just past the far post.

Then the Blues made it 3-0 after 68 minutes when Andrew Clarke met a glorious corner delivery by Niall Quinn with a downward header into the corner for his third goal of the season.

David Healy’s men were denied a fourth by the linesman’s flag. Debutant Ethan Devine showed great strength and skill before slipping the ball to Andrew Clarke whose low shot was blocked. Jordan Stewart followed in to tap home but was adjudged to have been offside when the shot was struck. The attacker then fired just wide of the far post from a tight angle not long after. It wasn’t third time lucky either as he was teed up in the middle by Quinn before sidefooting wide with his left foot.

Young forward Ethan Devine – who signed this week from Knockbreda – rounded off the scoring with a goal on his debut. The muscly striker showed good movement to get on the end of a dangerous free-kick delivery from Kirk Millar on the right to head in a downward header from close range.

Alongside the obvious accomplished goal of progression, David Healy can take other positives, such as more first team exposure for young full-back Ewan McCoubrey, and likewise with forward Jack Montgomery, as the boyhood Linfield fan made his debut and made some great forward runs. There was also the goalscoring debut for Devine, as well as being able to give certain players match minutes that needed it.

An honourable mention to Oxford Sunnyside who can be proud of their performance on the biggest match in their history. The Lurgan men defended brilliantly, executed their game plan well and showed great discipline. Their experienced players showed their pedigree; particularly 40 year-old Peter McCann in the middle who won a league title in his Portadown days.

The Blues will take on Larne in the sixth round on February 5 at Inver Park. The two sides will also meet this coming Tuesday evening at Seaview for the final of the County Antrim Shield.

Full Time: Linfield 4 – 0 Oxford Sunnyside

LinfieldFC.com Man of the Match: Martin Donnelly

Match Images

1. David Healy : Most importantly we are through into the next round
2. Manager’s programme notes
3. Josh Archer programme interview