Match Details
Competition :
Irish Premier League
Glentoran Scorers :
Bobby Burns 48', Danny Purkis 76;, 90+1'
Linfield Yellow Cards :
Kyle McClean, Michael Newberry (2), Matthew Clarke, Sam Roscoe, Chris Shields
Linfield Red Card :
Michael Newberry 30'
Glentoran Yellow Cards :
Aidan Wilson, Rory Donnelly
Teams
Linfield Team :
Chris Johns (GK), Daniel Finlayson, Michael Newberry, Sam Roscoe, Matthew Clarke (C), Stephen Fallon (Jamie Mulgrew 51’), Kyle McClean (Ethan Devine 73’), Chris Shields, Kirk Millar (Andrew Clarke 84’), Joel Cooper, Robbie McDaid
Linfield Subs not used :
David Walsh (GK), Jimmy Callacher, Eetu Vertainen, Chris McKee
Glentoran Team :
Aaron McCarey (GK), Rhys Marshall, Aidan Wilson, Patrick McClean, Marcus Kane (C), Bobby Burns (Terry Devlin 67'), Hrvoje Plum, Shay McCartan, Rory Donnelly (James Singleton 86'), Jay Donnelly (Danny Purkis 67'), Conor McMenamin
Report
Glentoran took the bragging rights from the first ‘Big Two’ clash of the season, with a rare Windsor Park win tonight as Linfield’s early red card proved costly.
The Blues were reduced to ten after half-an-hour when central defender Michael Newberry was dismissed. The Englishman was first book after 17 minutes and it was an easy decision for the referee as Newberry cynically hauled back Glens striker Jay Donnelly who’d robbed the defender of possession after an attempted Cruyff turn. The second booking thirteen minutes later was when the defender was adjudged to have blocked the run of Glentoran winger Rory Donnelly.
Glentoran had probably edged it until that point but Linfield had the better chances up to that point. Kyle McClean had a great chance after eight minutes when Kirk Millar’s free-kick delivery from the left was knocked down into the midfielder’s path but he was denied at close range from Glens ‘keeper Aaron McCarey.
The Glens had their first chance a minute later when a free-kick delivery from the right found central defender Patrick McClean who got half a yard of space across a Linfield defender to connect sweetly on the volley with his weaker right foot, but his effort from around twelve yards out struck the crossbar.
Linfield were then denied by the woodwork as Joel Cooper had the time to take on a fierce strike from 20 yards but with the goalkeeper beaten, the ball left the crossbar shaking.
Aside from one chance moments after the sending off when Conor McMenamin got past the outrushing Chris Johns only to be denied by Matthew Clarke’s block on the line, Linfield managed the remainder of the first half well with ten men.
Half Time: Linfield 0 – 0 Glentoran
David Healy’s half-time team talk would have been for his team to dig in, keep their shape and try to engineer opportunities where possible but a slice on luck for Glentoran three minutes into the second half put the Blues on the back foot as Glens midfielder Bobby Burns’ strike from distance took a massive deflection which wrong-footed Chris Johns in the Linfield goal.
An injury for Stephen Fallon brought the introduction of Linfield captain Jamie Mulgrew and for a period afterwards, the Blues had a decent spell, albeit without creating an awful lot. The Blues were hanging in, and therefore it was a real disappointment to concede a second midway through the second half.
Given the task at hand, the manner of Glentoran’s second goal on 76 minutes will have been most disappointing as forward Danny Purkis was somehow afforded a free header in a crowded box from Conor McMenamin’s corner delivery.
Even with a man less, Linfield went in search of a response but were ultimately caught with the back door left open as Glentoran added a late third goal. Conor McMenamin raced away before squaring the ball to forward Danny Purkis who finished well to cap a disappointing night for the champions who will look to respond against Glenavon at Windsor Park on Tuesday evening.
Linfield player of the match - Daniel Finlayson
Full Time: Linfield 0 – 3 Glentoran
Match Images
