Match Details
Competition :
Irish Premier League
Linfield Scorers :
Eetu Vertainen 2', 27', Robbie McDaid 90+2'
Carrick Rangers Scorer :
Ben Tilney 79'
Linfield Yellow Cards :
Mulgrew, McStravick
Carrick Rangers Yellow Cards :
C. Stewart, Ervin
Teams
Linfield Team :
Chris Johns (GK), Daniel Finlayson, Jimmy Callacher, Sam Roscoe, Matthew Clarke, Jamie Mulgrew © (Cameron Palmer 64’), Chris Shields, Joel Cooper (Liam McStravack 70’), Robbie McDaid, Eetu Vertainen, Ethan Devine (Chris McKee 64’)
Linfield Subs not used :
David Walsh (GK), Michael Newberry, Conor Pepper, Kyle McClean
Carrick Rangers Team :
Ross Glendinning (GK), Kurtis Forsythe, Cameron Stewart, Jim Ervin, Ben Tilney, Reece Glendinning, David Cushley © (Mark Surgenor 76'), Andrew Mitchell (Ronan Kalla 52’), Lloyd Anderson (Peter McKiernan 76'), Alexander Gawne (Aodhan Gillen 69'), Emmett McGuckin
Report
Linfield moved up to third in the Danske Bank Premiership table with a 3-1 over Carrick Rangers at Windsor Park this afternoon – a win which stretches the Blues’ unbeaten run to ten matches.
David Healy’s men got off to a dream start, taking the lead after just 93 seconds with a well-worked opener. Ethan Devine split the Carrick defence when he got on the ball and threaded a neat ball through to Matthew Clarke who slid the ball across goal for Eetu Vertainen to convert from close range.
Vertainen was heavily involved when Linfield went close to a second goal after ten minutes. The St. Johnstone loanee backheeled the ball stylishly into the returning Joel Cooper in the box and he clipped a cross up to the back post where Ethan Devine’s header was well saved by Ross Glendinning who pushed the ball over the bar.
After Robbie McDaid and Daniel Finlayson threatening to do so on separate occasions, Linfield managed to double their lead after 27 minutes. Jimmy Callacher brought the ball up the pitch before showing great vision and technique to pass the ball into Eetu Vertainen who timed his run in behind to perfection, and once the Finnish forward was in the clear he showed composure to slot the ball into the bottom right corner.
The Blues had further opportunities to score a third before the break, but Robbie McDaid fired wide from a good position when the ball fell kindly from Matthew Clarke’s cross, and soon after, McDaid himself delivered a cross which dropped for Joel Cooper whose left-footed shot from inside the box was goalbound, only stopped by experienced Carrick defender Jim Ervin sticking an instinctive leg out.
Stuart King’s team had a rare opportunity on the brink of half-time when David Cushley got goalside of Daniel Finlayson to be found by Andrew Mitchell’s ball in behind, and Cushley hit a good early effort from 20 yards which he arrowed just wide of the far post.
Half Time: Linfield 2 – 0 Carrick Rangers
The second half was a very quiet affair until the latter stages. Linfield remained in control but weren’t as creative as they had been in the first half. Joel Cooper had a chance early in the half when Ethan Devine’s knock-down from Matthew Clarke’s cross teed up the winger for a shot but the winger fired over.
Second half substitute Cammy Palmer produced a good effort midway through the second half when he struck a curling shot from 25 yards which drew a save from former Linfield ‘keeper Ross Glendinning. Daniel Finlayson also went close again when he met Matthew Clarke’s deep cross but he volleyed wide from a tight angle.
Carrick Rangers then pulled a goal back with eleven minutes remaining. The Linfield team were slow to get up the pitch when they half-cleared the ball as far as Peter McKiernan who – intentionally or unintentionally – drove the ball low to the back post area where Ben Tilney was on his toes to race in behind the Linfield backline before taking a touch and coolly slotting the ball into the far corner to give the Gers some hope.
The Blues remained composed to see the game out, keeping possession well. Carrick couldn’t muster any further opportunities. Linfield’s only danger was a playing surface that had seen much better days, but thankfully, there were no troublesome bottles whilst passing the ball around the defensive third.
Robbie McDaid then put any nerves at ease to seal the points for Linfield in stoppage time. The forward was put in on goal by Chris McKee who clipped a ball over the top and although he had the bright Liam McStravick to his right, McDaid went alone to confidently dispatch the ball beyond the ‘keeper to seal a valuable three points.
Linfield continue to claw back points over their title rivals and are now five points off the top which a much more promising position than where they were last month. However, attention turns elsewhere for the next week or so, as the Blues go to The Oval to take on Glentoran in the Bet McLean Cup semi-final on Tuesday, before travelling to Kelty Hearts in the SPFL Trust Trophy in Scotland next weekend.
Full Time: Linfield 3 – 1 Carrick Rangers
LinfieldFC.com Man of the Match: Eetu Vertainen
Match Images
