Six weeks to the day since Linfield lost 1-0 to Shelbourne at Tolka Park in UEFA Champions League Q1, fate declared that the Blues would be making the same trip yesterday evening in leg one of the UEFA Conference League play-off round as both teams dreamt of qualifying for the league phase for the first time in their respective histories.
Since then, Linfield have eliminated Lithuanian champions Zalgiris Vilnius and Faroe Islands’ champions Vikingur in Conference League qualifying, while Shelbourne were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League in Q2 by Qarabag (4-0 aggregate) and knocked out of the Europa League by Croatian champions Rijeka despite a fine away win in the first leg (4-3 aggregate).
The Blues have since signed versatile Scottish forward Matt Yates – who was most recently with Stenhousemuir – and 21-year-old English winger Sam Taylor on loan from Tranmere Rovers. Both players were named on the bench
Shelbourne have also since signed Dutch goalkeeper Wessel Speel on loan from MLS side Minnesota United, and right-back Milan Mbeng from Cork City, both of whom started the match this evening. They’ve also recently signed former Cliftonville prospect Sean Moore from West Ham United – he was on the bench.
The Linfield team news brought a return to action for Euan East who pulled up inured in the Blues’ goalless draw in Lithuania three weeks ago, while Chris Johns shook off a knock and was fit to start. The Linfield ‘keeper was withdrawn after a collision in the second half of last week’s 2-0 win over Vikingur which prompted speculation as to whether he was withdrawn due to a concussion which would have ruled him out for more than a week due to the related protocols, but that speculation was wide of the mark, as Johns’ withdrawal was precautionary. Dane McCullough and Jamie Mulgrew both returned to the Linfield squad after a period out injured.
David Healy’s two changes were bringing Euan East in for Charlie Allen, and Ethan McGee in for Matthew Orr who missed out through an injury picked up in the win over Vikingur. From the Blues’ last trip to Tolka Park, they now had Chris Shields available in the heart of midfield after he was suspended for the last visit, and Kyle McClean who missed the last match through injury. In-form Scottish forward Kieran Offord was a late sub last time, but this time he started – a factor that gave Linfield fans confidence before the match, plus the fact the Blues were now seven competitive games into their season, whereas the last visit was their first game of the season.
So, the Blues looked well prepared and they enjoyed a lot of possession in the early stages, with all the signs suggesting it was going to be a very close match. Despite that, Shelbourne did have a good opportunity in the first five minutes as Kerr McInroy’s precise cross from the left picked out Ademipo Odubeko in the middle – he was unopposed but put his header wide of goal.
It then turned into a chaotic game of football littered with talking points. The whole dynamic of the match and the tie changed after just 18 minutes as Linfield were reduced to ten men. Chris Shields clipped a long ball in towards Matthew Fitzpatrick who caught Shelbourne defender Milan Mbeng where it hurts most whilst sticking out an outstretched leg in an attempt to control the ball. The forward can feel unfortunate as replays show he only had eyes for the ball and didn’t know the opponent was there.
That naturally saw Shelbourne increase their share of possession in the match. The Blues kept the same shape but it meant an even harder task for Kieran Offord to lead the line on his own against three strong defenders.
But despite being a man down, the Blues had a big chance midway through the first half. Kieran Offord was gifted the ball 20 yards out but although he went beyond the defence, the angle was too improbable for a shot, therefore he cut back and managed to get a shot off. It beat the goalkeeper who was off his line, but the ball flashed just over the upright.
Shelbourne were then awarded a controversial penalty five minutes before the break. A move down the right led to a cross from the lively Harry Wood but, just as Kyle McClean slid in to try and block the cross, the ball was adjudged to have struck his hand. The referee pointed to the spot six seconds after the incident which would indicate that he was acting upon advice from an assistant official. However, it mattered little in the end as forward Ademipo Odubeko slipped in the process of hitting the penalty as he put it over the crossbar.
In fairness to Odubeko, he showed resilience and responded very well to it, winning the Dublin side a second penalty five minutes later. Ben Hall had attempted to clear the ball when he caught the forward who nipped in from behind. The Greek referee initially awarded a free-kick before VAR advised him to upgrade it to a penalty on the basis that the foul took place just inside the box.
This time, Odubeko handed over the responsibility to Harry Wood. Chris Johns went the right way but it was well placed inside the post to give Shels the lead in stoppage time.
HT: SHELBOURNE 1-0 LINFIELD
Shelbourne made an attacking change at half-time with Evan Caffrey replacing Sam Bone and it proved an inspired decision from Joey O’Brien. The flying winger cut Linfield open down the left before squaring it to Ademipo Odubeko whose shot at close range was deflected in to make it 2-0 just 30 seconds into the second half.
It was a nightmare start to the second half for the Blues but they responded brilliantly and managed to pull a goal back in the 56th minute when Kirk Millar’s corner was glanced on at the front post by Sam Roscoe for Kieran Offord to follow in and head in from close range for his sixth goal of the season.
The goal gave Linfield renewed belief and totally changed the atmosphere and the momentum of the match. The home crowd were starting to get anxious and a lot of the play was being played by Linfield in Shelbourne’s half.
The Blues were then awarded a penalty on 62 minutes. Ethan McGee delivered a deep cross from the right and Ben Hall rose well to head the ball back across to Sam Roscoe at the back post, but his effort was stopped by the hand of Shelbourne defender Patrick Barrett in front of goal. Questions were asked regarding the colour of the card issued to Barrett – who received yellow – as it denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.
The in-form Kieran Offord stepped up to the spot, having scored his last penalty against Dungannon Swifts, but the Dutch goalkeeper Speel made a good save down to his left. It was a big moment in the match as the Blues had Shelbourne exactly where they wanted them, but the penalty save totally changed the atmosphere in the ground and gave the home team a real lift to go on and win the match.
Shelbourne then threatened twice in quick succession. Caffrey crossed from the left for Daniel Kelly who was unmarked at close range, but the ball was slightly behind the forward and he was unable to generate the power required to beat Chris Johns. Soon after, energetic wing-back Milan Mbeng’s cross was deflected by Sam Roscoe onto his own crossbar.
Shels then found a third goal in the 77th minute when a 20-yard drive from Harry Wood was deflected onto the post before Evan Caffrey was quickest to react to follow in and score on the rebound.
The home team wanted a fourth goal ahead of the return leg at Windsor Park next week, but they were unable to find it against a Linfield team who gave absolutely everything on a night when things certainly didn’t go their way. The gutsy performance was recognised by the 300 travelling fans and it’s ensured the Blues are still in with a chance next week, albeit it’ll require a massive performance to turn it around. Nothing worth having comes easy – the Blues must keep believing.
FT: SHELBOURNE 3-1 LINFIELD
SHELBOURNE: Wessel Speel (GK), Milan Mbeng (Sean Moore 78’), Patrick Barrett, Sam Bone (Evan Caffrey 45’), James Norris, Mark Coyle © (Sean Gannon 78’), Kerr McInroy (Ali Coote 64’), Jonathan Lunney, Harry Wood, Ademipo Odubeko, John Martin (Daniel Kelly 64’)
Subs: Lorcan Healy (GK), Ali Topcu (GK), Kameron Ledwidge, Ellis Chapman, Lewis Temple, Daniel Ring, Raymond Offor
LINFIELD: Chris Johns (GK), Ethan McGee (Sean Brown 90’), Ben Hall, Sam Roscoe, Euan East, Kirk Millar (Jamie Mulgrew 85’), Josh Archer, Chris Shields (C), Kyle McClean, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Kieran Offord (Callumn Morrison 85’)
Subs: David Walsh (GK), Sean Brown, Scot Whiteside, Dane McCullough, Ryan McKay, Charlie Allen, Samuel Taylor, Matt Yates, Chris McKee
Referee: Vassilis Fotias (GRE)
VAR: Athansios Tzilos (GRE)