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A youthful Linfield team featuring nine changes from the team that beat Coleraine away at the weekend – Finlayson and Newberry the only two unchanged – was edged out by Larne in tonight’s round of 16 Co. Antrim Shield clash at Windsor Park.

The first half was a dull affair of few chances, with the Blues coming closest to scoring when Matthew Fitzpatrick found midfielder Josh Archer advancing into the Larne box. From a tight angle, Archer hooked a shot past Ferguson, however it was wide of goal and when Ryan McKay latched onto the rebound at the back post his goalward shot was blocked by a covering Larne defender.

A cross from the right had Larne ‘keeper Ferguson worried when the delivery from Max Haygarth flew over his head, not far from his crossbar but the ball didn’t end up on target, much to his relief.

Haygarth later threatened when he received the ball out wide right from Michael Newberry’s excellent switch ball and from there the winger burst inside onto his right foot before a 20-yard shot was well handled by Ferguson.

The last meaningful action of the first half saw Larne striker Paul O’Neill fire over from inside the box following a neat move from the Inver Reds.

Half Time: Linfield 0 – 0 Larne

Linfield introduced 17-year-old winger Aodhan Doherty at half-time and the debutant added a real spark to the game. The Blues looked at their most threatening when Doherty was on the ball and he almost set up a goal within minutes of coming on, as his excellent corner delivery was glanced wide by fellow debutant Euan East, the Scottish defender who arrived on deadline day after leaving Queen Of The South.

Darragh McBrien looked lively on his first start for the Blues, and it will have done him the world of good, having missed more than a year through injury before returning this summer. Indeed, he almost scored early in the second half when he burst in from the left before firing a low shot just wide of the post.

The Blues then had a strong penalty appeal rejected by the referee on 57 minutes. It was typically direct and fearless play from young Aodhan Doherty as he burst into the box and past Levi Ives who challenged which brought Doherty down, but the referee felt there wasn’t enough in it to warrant a penalty.

Twice in quick succession, two goalbound Larne strikes from the edge of the box from Daniel Kearns and Paul O’Neill were vitally blocked by Michael Newberry. On both occasions the ball deflected behind for corners which mounted to nothing.

Larne then netted the game’s only goal on 68 minutes. It was a controversial one as Larne striker Paul O’Neill seemed to handle the ball to control the pass which sent him away in behind the Linfield backline. From there he had all the time in the world and was supported by Joe Thomson who he squared the ball to as the midfielder netted just three minutes after coming on as a substitute.

With 16 minutes remaining, Linfield boss David Healy handed out two further debuts – one to 15-year-old Ceadach O’Neill, and the other to 17-year-old Charlie Chapman who joined the Academy from Carrick Rangers a month ago. 15-year-old Braiden Graham was also introduced to the play, though this was his second senior appearance, having made his debut in a 5-0 win away to Dungannon Swifts back in March.

David Walsh made a good save to push Leroy Millar’s effort around the post, then Linfield applied some pressure in the additional six minutes despite their very youthful makeup, however Larne defended well and held on to progress to the last eight of the Shield.

Attendance - 1896

Full Time: Linfield 0 – 1 Larne

Match Images

1. David Healy discusses Tuesday night’s Shield tie
2. Manager’s programme notes
3. Ryan McKay programme article