David Walsh (Gk) (Matthew Williamson 73’), Michael Newberry, Trialist, Ryan McKay (Kalum Thompson 73’), Jamie Mulgrew (Diego McGann 67’), Andrew Clarke, Max Haygarth (Aodhan Doherty 67’), Liam McStravick (Kielan Reid 67’), Rhys Annett (Liam Burns 67’), Ethan Devine (Braiden Graham 67’), John Robertson (Eoin McCarthy 73’)
A much-changed, youthful Linfield team edged out H&W Welders by 2-1 in a close-fought friendly at the impressive new Blanchflower Stadium this afternoon.
Coming just 43 hours after the Blues’ UEFA Conference League Q1 first leg against KF Vllanzia, it gave David Healy the chance to give minutes to those who were on the bench in that match, as well as providing a great experience for several Academy players. It was a great moment particularly for young Kalum Thompson at the age of 14.
The Blues had the better of the chances, with Max Haygarth first to threaten when he showed good feet to get a shot off inside the box, however it flashed just over the crossbar.
Linfield then momentarily thought they’d taken the lead when Andrew Clarke slipped Rhys Annett in behind and when through on goal he finished past the ‘keeper, only to be denied by the linesman’s flag.
After two decent saves to deny Haygarth and Robertson’s shots from the edge of the box, the breakthrough then came for Linfield on 39 minutes when Ethan Devine headed the ball over the Welders’ central defenders to send John Robertson through on goal and from there he confidently slotted the ball into the bottom left corner.
Robertson almost doubled his tally a few minutes later when he beat several players inside the Welders’ box with quick feet before a shot at a tight angle which drew a save from the ‘keeper at his near post.
Half Time: H&W Welders 0 – 1 Linfield
The Blues went close a few minutes into the second half when Ryan McKay released Rhys Annett down the left and he squared the ball for Ethan Devine whose effort was denied by a double-block at close range.
The Welders then could and probably should have levelled on 61 minutes through Joshua Kee, son of manager Paul Kee. The young midfielder latched onto a loose ball in the Linfield box before firing against the post from close range, and then his rebound was hit straight at David Walsh.
Kee’s men did then draw level on 75 minutes with a well-worked goal as a low cross from the left was driven across the face of goal for former Linfield forward Michael McLellan to convert from a couple of yards out.
Linfield’s young midfielder Diego Esquivel McGann made an impressive cameo and it almost started with a goal as his 20-yard drive flashed inches wide of the top corner.
Another youngster, Aodhan Doherty then made his mark as he drove at a defender before being fouled which led to Andrew Clarke converting down the middle for what proved to be the winning goal on 86 minutes.
Full Time: H&W Welders 1 – 2 Linfield
Match Images
