Chris Johns (GK), Ben Hall, Jimmy Callacher, Sam Roscoe, Ryan McKay (Joel Cooper 23’), Jamie Mulgrew ©, Chris Shields, Max Haygarth (Kirk Millar 45’), Andrew Clarke (Ethan Devine 45’), Robbie McDaid (Chris McKee 5’), Eetu Vertainen (Kyle McClean 73’)
Ross Glendinning (GK), Kurtis Forsythe (Jamal Dupree 70’), Jim Ervin ©, Steven Gordon (Mark Surgenor 30’), Ben Tilney, Reece Glendinning, Lloyd Anderson, David Cushley (Ronan Kalla 83’), Emmett McGuckin (James McLaughlin 70’), Nedas Maciulaitis (Alex Gawne 70’)
Linfield returned to winning ways following their midweek defeat to Glentoran with a 2-0 win over Carrick Rangers at Windsor Park this afternoon.
The Blues had to be patient, though, as the match was a slow burner. The first half was one of the most disrupted halves of football you’ll see, with three injury stoppages accumulating ten additional minutes of stoppage time at the end of the half.
Just 20 seconds in, the unfortunate Robbie McDaid suffered what looked like a serious injury. In an innocuous challenge in an attempt to get around Carrick’s Andrew Mitchell who was shepherding the ball out for a goal kick, McDaid seemed to twist something which led to him being stretchered off and replaced by Chris McKee.
David Healy was then forced into a second substitution after 23 minutes as Ryan McKay’s first Linfield start ended prematurely. The left wing-back went up for an aerial challenge and on his way down it appeared that his ribs clattered off the legs of his opponent.
It was a real pity for Linfield to lose McKay, because the teenager who signed from Dundela last month had been the outstanding player in the opening 20 minutes of the match. He had almost opened the scoring after 14 minutes following a nice Linfield move as Chris McKee crossed low for Eetu Vertainen who set up the onrushing McKay whose shot from inside the box was met by an excellent save by ‘Gers ‘keeper, Ross Glendinning.
McKay had also threatened to set a goal up a few minutes before his injury and he made a well-timed run beyond the last man inside the box to meet Max Haygarth’s threaded pass, but when McKay squared the ball across goal, the Linfield forwards weren’t following up for a tap-in.
Carrick Rangers were then forced into a substitution when experienced defender Steven Gordon sustained a shoulder injury in an honest tussle with Eetu Vertainen who did well to rescue what looked like a lost cause of a ball into the channel.
Chris McKee twice threatened with shots from the edge of the box in the first half, but the Blues couldn’t really find their rhythm following the lengthy stoppages, whilst Carrick were defending their box well when required.
Half Time: Linfield 0 – 0 Carrick Rangers
David Healy’s double substitution at the break improved Linfield. The introduction of Kirk Millar saw the Blues add someone who would play with authority, demand the ball and be brave in possession, whilst Ethan Devine linked the play well.
The breakthrough in the match came ten minutes into the second half as Linfield took the lead. Joel Cooper played a key role in the goal, picking Kurtis Forsythe’s pocket before squaring the ball to Eetu Vertainen who slotted the ball into the bottom corner with composure from 16 yards.
The Blues had threatened a minute prior to the opener, when Joel Cooper turned smartly inside the box before firing a low right-footed strike goalwards, but it was well saved by Ross Glendinning who got down quickly.
Chris Shields almost doubted the Blues’ lead soon after the goal when his shot from the right fizzed across goal and just wide of the far post.
After a dominant spell after the opening goal, Linfield deservedly netted a second goal on 76 minutes. It came courtesy of Kyle McClean who’d entered the pitch just three minutes prior. His desire got him first to a second ball which prompted a foul from Mark Surgenor, winning a 25-yard free-kick which he struck with great aplomb to curl the ball into the top corner.
McClean almost added his second and Linfield’s third, in stoppage time when Joel Cooper whipped in a pearler of a cross, but the midfielder didn’t connect as he’d have desired as he fired wide after getting in front of his marker.
The Blues have moved back within a point of second-place Cliftonville. Next up is Coleraine at Windsor Park next Saturday. The Bannsiders are four points behind Linfield.
Full Time: Linfield 2 – 0 Carrick Rangers
LinfieldFC.com Man of the Match: Jamie Mulgrew
Attendance - 1866
Match Images
