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Linfield were narrowly beaten by SPFL side St. Mirren in a worthwhile friendly match which was played at a good tempo at Windsor Park this afternoon.

The Blues didn’t get off to the best of starts as they found themselves behind after just two minutes. The Linfield defence hesitated in expectancy of an offside that wasn’t forthcoming as Saints attacker Jonah Ayunga spun in behind with a well-timed run before squaring the ball for strike partner Alex Grieve to convert from close range.

Despite the early setback, the Blues regrouped and were on top for most of the first half. Joel Cooper was in great form as he beat the full-back a number of times and he delivered three dangerous, inviting crosses in quick succession – one of which flashed just beyond the far post despite being slightly beyond the reach of its intended target, Robbie McDaid.

Linfield then deservedly drew level after eighteen minutes with a well-worked equaliser. Joel Cooper was once again at the heart of it, beating his man and driving in before finding Stephen Fallon on the penalty spot and with great awareness the central midfielder teed up Daniel Finlayson who with some irony scored against his parent club with a composed finish into the far corner. A defender got a touch on it but not enough to keep it out.

The Blues threatened again within a minute of the goal as Stephen Fallon found Linfield’s trialist with his back to goal at close range and once he turned to shoot he went down but penalty appeals were waved away by the referee.

Despite Linfield’s positive play, it was St. Mirren who would take the lead before the break with what would prove to be the winning goal. From a Chris Shields tackle the ball fortuitously found its way to Saints striker Jonah Ayunga who was just inside the box and there can be no taking away from his great strike which found the corner of the net.

The lively Robbie McDaid almost offered an instant response for Linfield as he went close a minute later up the other end when his low shot brought a good save from St. Mirren’s Northern Ireland international goalkeeper Trevor Carson.

Half Time: Linfield 1-2 St. Mirren

The Blues weren’t quite as forceful in the second half but that was only natural, as is often the case in friendlies with several changes made throughout the match. That said, David Healy’s men were unlucky a few minutes after the break when Daniel Finlayson broke forward from full-back to burst into the box with the ball following good work from Kirk Millar, and loanee Finlayson fired a left-footed shot not far wide of the far post.

St. Mirren’s Ryan Strain fired wide from a good position in the box a short time later following a neat move after the visitors won the ball high up. Jonah Ayunga was then very unlucky not to grab his second goal when he burst into the box, checked onto his left foot and then sent a powerful left-footed shot crashing off the crossbar. A Saints winger then followed up and fired just wide.

The final chance of the afternoon came for Linfield when a pinpoint pass over the top by Kyle McClean found the well-timed run of Chris McKee and the striker was unfortunate to see his clean left-footed strike brilliantly saved by Trevor Carson, down to his left.

It was a good match and one which David Healy can take positives from. Attention now turns to ‘the real stuff’ as Linfield return to competitive action on Tuesday night away to TNS FC in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League First Round Qualifiers.

Full Time: Linfield 1 – 2 St. Mirren

Match Images

1. David Healy : We got out of the game what we wanted
2. Chris Shields programme article