A spirited Linfield performance in Dublin last night ensured it’ll be all to play for when the Blues meet Shelbourne in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Q1 tie at Windsor Park next Wednesday, with Shels taking a slender 1-0 lead thanks to Ademipo Odubeko’s second half strike.
20 years on from the memorable inaugural Setanta Cup final when the Blues went to Shelbourne and won against the odds, there felt like an inevitability that the teams would meet again once paired in the same grouping for the draw. A lot has changed since then, however. That memorable match happened in May, with the Blues coming towards the end of their domestic campaign, whereas this time, they were playing their first competitive match of the season against a Shelbourne team who were 26 matches into their season.
The Blues were also unfortunate that their one player who knows the League of Ireland like the back of his hand – Chris Shields – was unavailable through a one-match suspension, having been sent off against Icelandic side Starnan last summer.
280 Linfield members took up the Club’s limited ticket allocation, with Shelbourne selling their full capacity which was restricted due to the terraced sections of the ground which are not permitted to be in use for UEFA matches.
The bluemen and women who made the trip across the border will have appreciated the application of their players who emptied the tank in a disciplined performance. The hosts were under the management of recently-appoined former West Ham and Bolton Wanders defender Joey O’Brien who succeeded League-winning manager Damien Duff who resigned. O’Brien had previously been assistant to former Chelsea winger Duff, but was appointed permanently after taking five points from three outings as interim boss.
Shels, with their advantageous sharpness, started the ball with attacking intent and went close to score twice in quick succession in the sixth minute. Firstly, a corner from Harry Wood was headed against the woodwork by Evan Caffrey, and a short time later a cross came in from the left which found Caffrey with a free header, but he was denied by a great save from Chris Johns.
On 23 minutes, the referee awarded a penalty as Ben Hall was penalised for handball whilst blocking a shot which came at close proximity. However,, with VAR involved in a Linfield match for the first time ever, the Portuguese referee availed of it and after reviewing the incident on the monitor he overturned his decision.
Although the Blues had to soak up pressure and had to defend no less than nine corners in the first half, they had a couple of chances of their own towards the end of the first half. Firstly, Ethan McGee advanced onto the end of a loose pass before firing a first-time 20-yard shot wide. Then, at the end of the first half, Morrison got onto the end of a long ball and attempted to lob the goalkeeper, but the effort didn’t have enough purchase on it.
HT: Shelbourne 0-0 Linfield
After a slowish start to the second half, Shels boss Joey O’Brien made a triple substitution on 56 minutes and it paid dividends two minutes later as the reds took the lead with the game’s only goal. One of the substitutes, Sean Boyd held off a defender before slipping it to strike partner Ademipo Odubeko whose left-footed shot was deflected into the bottom corner.
Linfield’s response to going behind was a very positive one. Having struggled to hold the ball in the first half, they were now having their fair share of possession in Shelbourne’s half, although it didn’t come to anything as the hosts adequately defended a few crosses into their box. Then, Shelbourne had a good chance on the break as Harry Wood’s cross from the right led to a free header for substitute Sean Boyd, but he headed wide of goal.
David Healy turned to his bench on 76 minutes, withdrawing Callumn Morrison and Jamie Mulgrew who’d emptied the tank, also factoring in that the skipper had been on a booking from the 18th minute. Chris McKee and Kieran Offord were the replacements, with both players bringing renewed energy. Offord showed great directness and gave the Blues an extra dimension along Fitzpatrick.
Shelbourne’s substitute left wing-back Tyreke Wilson threatened with a low driven shot which was well held by Johns, and then he turned provider, taking down a cross with great aplomb before fizzing a low cross into the front post area where Sean Boyd fired over at close range.
The Blues then almost snatched a late equaliser as Kieran Offord managed to block the goalkeeper’s attempted clearance, with the ball deflecting into the side netting, much of goalkeeper Kearns’ relief.
David Healy’s men can take encouragement particularly from the second half spell after going behind, and with this intense match under their belts they should be that bit more sharper next week. It’s sure to be a big night at Windsor Park next Wednesday and the players’ efforts have earned the right for a large vocal backing. Tickets are on sale from this website and supporters are urged to get right behind the Blues, with a Q2 clash with Qarabag awaiting the winner.
FT: Shelbourne 1-0 Linfield
LINFIELD: Chris Johns (GK), Ethan McGee, Matthew Orr, Ben Hall, Euan East. Dane McCullough, Josh Archer, Jamie Mulgrew © (Chris McKee 72’), Kirk Millar, Callumn Morrison (Kieran Offord 72’), Matthew Fitzpatrick
Unused: David Walsh (GK), Ryan McKay, Scot Whiteside, Sam Roscoe, Sean Brown, Charlie Allen, Rhys Annett.
SHELBOURNE: Connor Kearns (GK), Mark Coyle ©, Paddy Barrett, Kameron Ledwidge, Evan Caffrey (Sean Boyd 56’), James Norris (Tyreke Wilson 56’), Kerr McInroy, Jonathan Lunney, Ali Coote (Daniel Kelly 56’), Harry Wood (Ellis Chapman 78’), Ademipo Odubeko (John Martin 88’)
Unused: Lorcan Healy (GK), Ali Topcu (GK), Sam Bone, John O’Sullivan, Lewis Temple, Daniel Ring, Raymond Offor.
Yellow cards: Josh Archer (Linfield), Jamie Mulgrew (Linfield), Ellis Chapman (Shelbourne)
Referee: Luis Godinho (Portugal)