Linfield suffered their first Sports Direct Premiership defeat of the season this afternoon, going down 1-0 to Larne in front of 3,527 spectators at Windsor Park.
The Blues went into the match without Sam Roscoe who picked up an injury the Co. Antrim Shield win over Ballyclare Comrades eleven days prior, with the central defender joining Ben Hall, Stephen Fallon and Robbie McDaid on the sidelines. Subsequently, Ethan McGee, Scot Whiteside and Euan East started as a back three. Charlie Allen also came into the side, making his first start of his second Linfield spell and putting in a Man of the Match performance.
The first half of this match was dull – pretty much a non-event, with neither team recording a shot of target. Both teams matched each-other up in terms of formation, and really cancelled each-other out.
The only occasion where either team went close to scoring in the first half was in the 36th minute when Linfield had a free-kick positioned wide right, delivered by Kirk Millar into Euan East at the back post area where the Scottish defender headed into the side-netting.
Larne’s only effort of the first half was an ambitious strike from new signing George Marsh, with the English midfielder – who was once on the books of Tottenham Hotspur before spells at AFC Wimbledon and AEL Limassol (Cyprus) – having a go from 25 yards, but it went wide of Chris Johns’ goal.
HT: Linfield 0-0 Larne
Linfield upped the tempo in the second half and were dominant for a long spell, however they were unable to make the most of it.
The Blues had two dangerous attacks down the right in quick succession early in the second half. Firstly, Kirk Millar crossed to the back post where Larne defender Tomas Cosgrove did enough to prevent Darragh McBrien from getting a shot off, with the ball hitting off the Linfield man before rolling into the arms of the goalkeeper. Soon after, Charlie Allen latched onto a ball from Ethan McGee into the channel before crossing towards Fitzpatrick, however Larne ‘keeper Ferguson dived to push the cross out of harms way.
Larne also had a chance against the run of play early in the second half which, aside from their winning goal, was their only other real chance of the match. Matthew Lusty found himself with time and space to shoot on the edge of the Linfield box, but the striker dragged a low left-footed shot wide of the far post.
Back up the other end, Linfield continued to press for an opener. The lively Charlie Allen got a low cross in from the left which was flicked on by Fitzpatrick in search of Cooper who was just behind him but, unfortunately, it was ever-so-slightly beyond Cooper’s reach, otherwise he’d most likely have scored from close range.
Cooper did go close a short time later when he showed great footwork to engineer some room for a shot from inside the box, drawing Rohan Ferguson into a good save as the Larne ‘keeper sprung down to his left to making a diving save.
The Blues couldn’t believe they didn’t hit the front with 15 minutes remaining as Joel Cooper’s corner delivery found Scot Whiteside, whose diving header forced Ferguson into an excellent save down to his right, and then he saved again at close range to deny Fitzpatrick’s corner. Larne were unable to fully clear the danger and the Blues went close again a minute later as Cooper crossed from the right for McKee whose free header at close range was beaten away once more by Ferguson.
Typically, the Blues were punished for missed chances two minutes later as Larne stole the victory with what would prove to be the winning goal. The Blues had a penalty appeal in the lead-up to the goal for a shirt pull on Chris McKee, although that won’t take away from their personal disappointment over a goal that could and should have been defended better. A hooked clearance down the line looked like it was heading out of play, however it stayed in and this caught a couple of Linfield’s defensive players napping. Larne forward Matthew Lusty brought the ball down from the sky tremendously which forced Chris Shields into a challenge which he was unsuccessful with. This then left the Blues wide open to a counter-attack. Larne forward Lusty found himself one-on-one with Linfield defender Whiteside, with the Larne striker beating Whiteside to get a shot off. The effort was initially saved by Chris Johns, however Conor McKendry followed in to score the rebound just 13 minutes after coming on as a substitute. The Larne winger was then booked for antagonistic celebrations.
The team Linfield finished with was basically as attack-minded as possibly, however even with seven additional minutes played they were unable to find an equaliser. Chris McKee had a good chance on 85 minutes from a Millar cross, but he never caught hold of a header which went well wide. The only chance in stoppage time fell for Matthew Fitzpatrick with an unopposed header from Joel Cooper’s cross from the right, but the header lacked the required power and was comfortable enough for Ferguson who was well positioned to catch.
The Blues remain top of the table on goal difference, though this was a tough defeat to take on the balance of play, but ultimately they had their chances and never took them, whereas one switch-off was punished by Larne who took theirs. It wasn’t the response David Healy would have wanted in terms of the result after conceding a 95th minute equaliser to Portadown in the previous League outing. Linfield will aim to bounce back when they make the short trip to Solitude to face second-place Cliftonville this coming Tuesday.
FT: Linfield 0-1 Larne
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