Match Details
Linfield Scorer :
Chris McKee 12'
Teams
Linfield Team :
Chris Johns (GK) (David Walsh 70’), Jack Scott (Ryan McKay 64’), Daniel Finlayson (Rhys Annett 70’), Ben Hall (Michael Newberry 70’), Matthew Clarke, Chris Shields (Liam McStravick 70’), Kyle McClean (Jamie Mulgrew 64’), Kirk Millar (Andrew Clarke 70’), Joel Cooper (Max Haygarth 70’), Chris McKee, Matthew Fitzpatrick (Ethan Devine 64’)
Kilmarnock Team :
Will Dennis (GK), Corrie Ndaba, Robbie Deas, Danny Armstrong, David Watson, Jack Sanders, Fraser Murray (Kian Leslie 86’), Brad Lyons © (Kyle Magennis 45’), Innes Cameron, Liam Polworth, Trialist (Kerr McInroy 45’)
Report
In their final friendly ahead of Thursday’s UEFA Conference League Q1 first leg against KF Vllanzia at Windsor Park, Linfield put on a strong performance in a deserved win over Kilmarnock.
The Blues were on top from the off and a couple of excellent saves from Killie ‘keeper in the opening ten minutes denied David Healy’s men. Kyle McClean was twice denied in quick succession by Will Dennis following two separate, excellent Linfield moves.
The opening goal then arrived on twelve minutes when Joel Cooper’s corner was flicked on and when the ball landed at the feet of Chris McKee with his back to goal at close range, he swivelled and clinically fired past the ‘keeper.
Joel Cooper almost teed up a second, ten minutes later when he anticipated a backpass, but with the angle against him he had to square the ball in search of Matthew Fitzpatrick, however a Killie defender did brilliantly to take the ball off Fitzpatrick’s toe before he could convert.
A sharp turn from Kyle McClean inside the box led to the midfielder pulling the ball back to Kirk Millar whose goalward shot was deflected wide of the post as Kilmarnock struggled to get a foothold. Soon after, Jack Scott headed wide of the post from a corner delivery.
Half Time: Linfield 1 – 0 Kilmarnock
The Blues didn’t drop their levels at half-time and continue to dominate in the second half. They had a big opportunity to double their lead two minutes into the second half as Joel Cooper ran from deep, beating several players before sending Matthew Fitzpatrick through one-on-one with the ‘keeper, however the striker’s was straight at the goalkeeper.
Chris McKee threatened to net a second when his shot was saved off the back of an excellent passing Linfield move, and minutes later he was inches away from a telling touch when Daniel Finlayson fizzed a low cross by the face of goal after surging up the right.
SPFL Premiership side Kilmarnock’s only real chance of note came 20 minutes before the end when Fraser Murray crossed for Kyle Magennis who headed over the crossbar.
Rhys Annett made a great run with the ball and the young Linfield forward arrowed the ball into the box, however the pace on the ball made it difficult for Ethan Devine to get under control and thus allowed the ‘keeper to step in. A final chance came the way of Max Haygarth whose free header was saved following a good spot and pickout by Ryan McKay.
Attendance - 1001
Full Time: Linfield 1 – 0 Kilmarnock
Match Images
