Kirk Millar heroically saved the day for Linfield yesterday as the winger’s last-gasp free-kick in the seventh minute of additional time won the Blues the match against a stubborn Carrick Rangers team.
Millar’s magic salvaged an afternoon that was otherwise very frustrating for the Blues who dominated the match but had no cutting edge. Linfield dominated possession of the ball from start to finish, whilst the ‘Gers looked to sit tight, frustrate and break up play in an attempt to disrupt any Linfield rhythm.
The match was a real ‘banana skin’ for Linfield with it being top-vs-bottom. Carrick Rangers have been struggling, having lost six consecutive matches since their opening day victory over Glenavon. They have not been helped by injuries, however several players returned to the squad for this one, with one being wing-back Ben Tilney who made his first start of the season. Daniel Gibson also returned – he had been on holiday – however captain David Cushley remains out and is yet to play this season.
Linfield were hoping to bounce back after picking up just two points from their last three League outings. They were without Kyle McClean who missed out through a knock, from which it is hoped he’ll have recovered from for the Blues’ trip to Coleraine next Saturday. Chris McKee was his replacement.
The Blues looked for a fast start, creating a chance inside 90 seconds as Kirk Millar crossed from the right into Chris McKee inside the box, but his contact was weak and the ball went wide of the post. A golden opportunity then followed for Linfield in the seventh minute, once again with Millar at the heart of it. Millar showed tremendous footwork to beat a couple of opponents in the middle of the pitch before sending Cooper away down the right and he then pulled it across to Fitzpatrick who fired over from close range which he’ll be disappointed not to have converted.
Fitzpatrick founds himself with another good chance in the 19th minute of the match as he rose to meet a pinpoint Millar cross from the right, but he headed his effort over the crossbar from a good position.
Later in the half, Carrick Rangers survived a goalmouth scramble, and then in the closing minutes of the half, visiting goalkeeper Ross Glendinning was called into action for the first time as Ethan McGee got his head on the end of a corner delivery. It was straight at Glendinning, so it was more a question of the ‘keeper’s handling, given that the penalty area was crowded, however he passed the test.
With the last action of the half, Euan East went closest to scoring as the defender cut in from the left to have a pop with a curling shot off his weaker right foot from the edge of the box. It was a good effort which flashed narrowly wide of the far post.
HT: Linfield 0-0 Carrick Rangers
Ethan McGee was withdrawn at half-time, with Cammy Ballantyne his replacement, slotting into central midfield as Chris Shields dropped back into the back three.
The Blues made a slow start to the second half, struggling to find any kind of rhythm. It was a very flat half, bar a short spell around ten minutes after the interval. During this spell, Charlie Allen was inches away from scoring his first Linfield goal as his deflected shot from the edge of the box struck the post. The ball eventually went for a corner from which Fitzpatrick found himself with a free header, but he couldn’t keep his effort down at close range.
Jamie Mulgrew also had a decent effort a minute later as he showed good footwork down the left to make room for a curling shot which wasn’t too far away from the top right corner of the net.
The longer this match went on, the more frustrating it became for Linfield – both players and fans.
With the Blues struggling for a spark, David Healy made a triple substitution on 78 minutes – Josh Archer, Kalum Thompson and Rhys Annett replacing Jamie Mulgrew, Charlie Allen and Chris McKee, but the creative struggles continued.
Due to countless injury stoppages, the fourth official signalled a minimum of seven additional minutes at the end of the 90. Although the Blues had Carrick camped in their half, it just felt like one of those days where they were never going to score. It was going to take a moment of brilliance, and indeed that’s what was in store.
Joel Cooper was fouled 25 yards from the Carrick net. On 96 minutes and 35 seconds – with just 25 seconds remaining – Kirk Millar stepped up and despite slipping during his run-up he still managed to curl in a beautiful free-kick around the wall and into the top corner, much to the delight of the South Stand, the Linfield team and management who all rejoiced. It was Millar’s second goal of the season and what a valuable goal it was.
Although there was only 25 seconds remaining when Millar scored, the referee played a further two minutes after the restart, but Linfield were untroubled and held on for the three points on a day where they were miles from their best. Having almost gone three matches without scoring, bluemen will hope Kirk Millar’s brilliance will give the team a lift and a platform to put a run of form together now.
FT: Linfield 1-0 Carrick Rangers
Linfieldfc.com Man of the Match – Kirk Millar
Written by Jamie Megarry