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The Irish League’s two form teams locked horned this afternoon as Linfield and Coleraine played out a goalless draw at Windsor Park, a game in which the Blues had all the chances.

In-form Finnish striker Eetu Vertainen will be disappointed not to have found the net on a couple of occasions and one of his two great opportunities came in the first half. This came through a counter-attack as Jamie Mulgrew momentarily turned into a flying right winger before supplying a wonderful pinpoint cross to the near post area from where the forward headed just wide of the post.

Vertainen also may regret not teeing up Robbie McDaid on another occasion when he had his back to goal at close range after being picked out by a low cross. Instead, he was hesitant and the opportunity to either tee up McDaid or to turn and shoot passed by, with Coleraine swarming the forward and eventually clearing the danger.

Vertainen had another effort which was not far wide when Coleraine failed to clear a Linfield corner which led to Cooper cushioning down a header for the Finn whose half-volley flashed just past the top corner from around 16 yards.

The closest the Blues came to scoring was shortly before the break when Daniel Finlayson made a great connection with a header from Matthew Clarke’s free-kick delivery, but the Scottish full-back’s header was kept out by a wonderful save by Coleraine’s Martin Gallagher who got a strong hand on it to claw the ball away.

Finlayson also engineered an opportunity when he played a good ball into Joel Cooper in the right channel and after retrieving it, the winger cut inside but his low strike was comfortable for the ‘keeper to save.

Half Time: Linfield 0 – 0 Coleraine

The Blues had another good opportunity three minutes into the second half when Joel Cooper was fouled in a central area just outside the box. Cooper hit the free-kick but a deflection allowed it to fall kindly for Eetu Vertainen couldn’t quite wrap his left foot around it and he fired wide of the far post.

St. Johnstone loanee Vertainen had another golden chance on 52 minutes when Jamie Mulgrew latched onto a loose ball inside the box before putting in another pinpoint delivery for the striker, but he headed wide from a good position when he’ll have been disappointed not to have scored.

Another great chance came the way of Linfield’s Robbie McDaid following great determined wing play for Joel Cooper who beat two men before squeezing in a cross the forward but his shot from close range trickled the wrong side of the post.

Vertainen was once again close in the latter stages of the game when the ball broke to him in space inside the box but his low strike drew another fine save by the ‘keeper who got down low to make a diving stop.

Coleraine were set up to counter-attack but the likes of Chris Shields, Sam Roscoe and Michael Newberry stood up to everything they faced and that meant a quiet day for Chris Johns in the Linfield goal, with his only save coming after 87 minutes when a 20 yard free-kick was straight at him by Bannsiders debutant Eamon Fyfe.

Results elsewhere mean the Blues have moved to within two points of league leaders Larne and second place Cliftonville who are only separated by goal difference. Incidentally, Linfield’s next league match is a trip to Solitude to face Cliftonville on Tuesday 10 January and it’s set to be a big game.

Full Time: Linfield 0 – 0 Coleraine

LinfieldFC.com Man of the Match: Michael Newberry

Match Images

1. David Healy discusses today’s game against Coleraine
2. Michael Newberry discusses yesterday’s Premiership game
3. Manager’s programme notes
4. Jimmy Callacher programme article