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Linfield held another training match at Midgley Park this afternoon with Connah’s Quay Nomads making the trip over from Wales to aid their European preparation.

Like Linfield, the Welsh side get their UEFA Conference League campaign underway in eight days’ time. Whilst the Blues take on KF Vllaznia, The Nomads will be in Iceland to face KA.

It was a good runout for both teams. As is the case in most friendlies, Linfield changed almost the entirety of the team early in the second half to give players match minutes. The team that started for the Blues took a while to get going. The same can’t be said of the Welsh side who took the lead on six minutes with an excellent left-footed volley from Noah Roberts.

The closest the Blues came to a goal in the first half was when Ethan Devine played to the whistle as opposition defenders paused and he took on a curling shot from wide left, but the effort didn’t dip enough to hit the target.

Half Time: Linfield 0 – 1 Connah’s Quay Nomads

The Blues improved at the start of the second half and went close twice in quick succession with Jack Scott at the heart of both moves. He teed up Max Haygarth whose shot was blocked in front of goal, and soon after he pulled the ball back for Matthew Clarke whose driven shot from the edge of the box flashed just wide of the post.

The Nomads then doubled their lead with an excellent goal on 56 minutes as the ball wasn’t cleared and it sat for Ryan Harrington to leather in a crisp thunderbolt from 25 yards out.

An excellent save from the legs of former Rangers goalkeeper Andy Firth denied Linfield on 67 minutes when John Robertson showed great vision and execution to thread a pass through to Joel Cooper at the back post before he was denied at close range.

Robertson also neatly set up Liam McStravick on 76 minutes, but the teenager fired over the crossbar from a good position.

The Blues then did get their goal three minutes later as Matthew Clarke burst down the left and delivered an excellent cross to the front post area where Matthew Fitzpatrick headed in at close range.

An excellent ball over the top from Michael Newberry released the well-timed run of John Robertson in behind, however he was denied an equaliser by a good save. Joel Cooper also threatened with the last kick of the ball with a free-kick from distance, however the ‘keeper made another good save.

Full Time: Linfield 1 – 2 Connah’s Quay Nomads

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