Linfield were on the receiving end of a late Cliftonville comeback as the Reds came away from Windsor Park with the points on Matchday 13 of the Sports Direct Premiership season.
There was one change from the Linfield team that won 3-1 away to Loughgall eight days prior; Charlie Allen into the starting eleven in place of Ethan McGee. There was also a double boost for the Blues as they were able to name youthful duo Ryan McKay and Rhys Annett on the bench after a spell on the sidelines. Both players picked up injuries against their former club Dundela at the beginning of the month. Annett’s injury in particular looked a serious one initially, but thankfully, it turned out not to be at bad as first feared.
That was just about the only positive thing Linfield could take away from a disappointing day at the office. The Blues put in a below-par performance. Cliftonville started brightly and forced four corners in quick succession. On a couple of separate occasions, the ball fell kindly for Conor Pepper around the edge of the box, but he was unable to hit the target.
The Blues then took the lead in the 16th minute, somewhat against the run of play. It came from a corner as Matthew Orr touched the ball on before Josh Archer won an aerial battle to head the ball down to Matthew Fitzpatrick who turned swiftly to rifle the ball beyond the goalkeeper from close range for his fifth goal of the season.
Despite that opening goal, the Blues never really kicked on. A bit of individual brilliance from Charlie Allen created a dangerous opening ten minutes later as he beat several players with quick feet before crossing towards Fitzpatrick who just couldn’t quite get a touch, but it was a match where Linfield never really got a firm grip as Cliftonville enjoyed a lot of possession.
Considering Cliftonville’s possession, they would probably have been disappointed they didn’t ask more of Linfield ‘keeper Chris Johns in the first half. That said, he did have to make an excellent reflex save to deny Taylor Steven who met a cross from the left at close range. Johns was also forced into a save at his near post to deny Joe Gormley on the half-hour mark – a good effort from a tight angle after racing onto Jonny Addis’ through ball. Later, there was a strike from Arron Pettifer well-struck from distance, but comfortably saved.
So, Linfield went into the interval happy with the scoreline but probably not satisfied with their performance up to that point. That said, they were close to go into the break with a two-goal lead as Kirk Millar’s corner caused the visiting goalkeeper problems; he got a fingertip to it and East retrieved it at the back post but was unable to turn it in from a tight angle with the last action of the half.
HT: Linfield 1-0 Cliftonville
The second half was much the same with Cliftonville seeing plenty of the ball. The Reds went close to equalising three minutes after the break as Joe Gormley took on Scot Whiteside inside the box and worked enough space to put in a cross-come-shot which bypassed Chris Johns, only for the well-placed Chris Shields to instinctively head off the line.
Then, in the 58th minute came a big moment in the match as Kirk Millar led a Linfield attack down the right, crossing for Fitzpatrick who was remarkably denied from close range twice in quick succession by an excellent double-save from David Odumuso. Fitzpatrick was claiming for a goal as he felt the second effort had crossed the goal, however the replays suggest it didn’t and was just a commendable piece of goalkeeping. A two-goal lead could have changed the match, but it wasn’t to be. This was the Blues’ only meaningful chance(s) of the second half.
Joe Gormley went close for the Reds, volleying wide of the post at full stretch before the match went through a quiet spell where very little happened in either box. The Blues made a double change on 67 minutes with Ethan McGee and Jamie Mulgrew replacing Kyle McClean and Joel Cooper, who’d had a rare quiet afternoon.
The Blues were dealt a blow and forced into a further substitution on 79 minutes as Matthew Fitzpatrick suffered a leg injury and had to be replaced. Cameron Ballantyne was the replacement, going into midfield, with Charlie Allen moving up top on his own.
To make matters worse, Cliftonville equalised one minute later. Taylor Steven’s deep cross from the left was met by Rory Donnelly who headed the ball to the back post where Ryan Curran had a straightforward task of heading in from a yard out. Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton had brought the two Cliftonville attackers onto the pitch just three minutes prior to the goal, so it was a very effective double substitution on his part.
Cliftonville’s short-lived celebrations indicated that they sensed blood and that they wanted to push on in search of a winner. Their ambition paid off as they scored what would prove to be the winner in the 85th minute. It was another effective substitution from the Cliftonville manager as 17-year-old Ryan Corrigan – formerly of the Linfield Academy – pounced to score from close range after Chris Johns dropped a corner delivery under pressure.
Five additional minutes were added, but the Blues struggled to create anything of note and Cliftonville held on for victory. Results elsewhere kept the Blues on top of the table, although it won’t take away from the disappointment of this performance and result.
This was the Blues’ third home defeat of the season. Considering that tally equals the total number of home League defeats in the entirety of last season, this is a trend Linfield need to put a stop to if they are to be successful this season. In the meantime, however, full focus turns to a trip to Carrickfergus next Sunday to face Carrick Rangers in an early kick-off (12:30) for live Sky Sports Television coverage. Blues’ boss David Healy has now served a two-match suspension and will return to the dugout as he looks for a positive response from his team against Stephen Baxter’s resurgent Amber Army.
FT: Linfield 1-2 Cliftonville