Linfield comfortably swept aside championship side Harland and Wolff Welders in Round 1 of the Co. Antrim Shield at Windsor Park this evening, on the 120th anniversary of Linfield’s first ever competitive fixture at Windsor Park.
David Healy took the opportunity to make several changes and give gametime to players who needed it more than some more regular players, and it brought about a Linfield debut for Isaac Baird who signed from Glenavon last Wednesday. Plus, summer signings Sam Taylor and Matt Yates made their first starts for the Blues.
The Welders’ team featured several former Linfield players; goalkeeper Conor Mitchell, Ewan McCoubrey, Daniel Kearns, Ethan Devine and Michael McLellan.
There was a very quick start to the match as the Blues profited from the Welders’ high defensive line with a quick breaks in behind. Callumn Morrison looked eager to make an impression and he quickly did that, scoring twice inside the first two minutes and 39 seconds of the match!
The Scotsman opened the scoring after just 81 seconds when Matt Yates slipped him through. After carrying the ball to the Welders box, he buried a fierce shot inside the near post. Then, in the third minute, Sam Taylor won the ball in midfield and slid Morrison through before the attacker finished coolly with a clever finish into the corner.
26-year-old Morrison then completed a 16-minute hat-trick as Charlie Allen released the pacey Sam Taylor in behind the high line and he squared the ball for Morrison to fire in from close range.
Taylor and Morrison combined again a few minutes later as Tranmere Rovers loanee Taylor squared the ball once more before Morrison’s goal-bound shot was brilliantly blocked by Welders’ left-back James McCarthy.
Soon after, McCullough put Charlie Allen through and he squared it for Matt Yates who was disappointed to fire wide at close range. Yates went close again on the half-hour mark, with a neat turn and 20-yard curling shot which was well saved by the diving Mitchell.
As the Blues continued to batter the Welders goal, the wait for a fourth goal continued as a tackle from Shields allowed Morrison through on goal, but he pulled his shot wide of the far post when under pressure from a backtracking defender.
However, the Scotsman did then add his fourth and Linfield’s fourth goal five minutes before the break. Once again, it was the same combination as Sam Taylor made it a hat-trick of assist, crossing from the left for Morrison to convert at close range.
Morrison went through once more on the brink of half-time and unselfishly squared it for Matt Yates, but he was disappointed to fire wide again.
HT: LINFIELD 4-0 H&W WELDERS
It was more of the same after the break as the Scottish duo combined again. Yates broke down the right, noticed he’d no support in the box and showed good awareness to see and pick out Morrison on the edge of the box, from where he curled a left-footed shot inches wide of the far post.
The Blues then added a fifth goal in the 59th minute when Chris Shields’ neat pass found Charlie Allen on the left and his low cross was turned in by Welders’ defender James McCarthy for an own goal.
David Healy made a triple substitution on 73 minutes and it paid off within a minute as two of the subs combined. Ethan McGee’s ball over the top was taken in by Chris McKee who did well to fend off a defender before arrowing a low strike past the ‘keeper.
McKee almost scored again a few minutes later as he met Kirk Millar’s corner delivery, but his header was kept out by the knee of Conor Mitchell.
The Welders netted a consolation goal on 79 minutes through former blue Michael McLellan from the penalty spot after Kirk Millar clipped Jonathan James inside the box. David Walsh got something on it but it was well struck.
It was a very comfortable victory although the Blues could have been more ruthless and a few players may be disappointed not to have scored. Nonetheless, Linfield are in the hat for Saturday’s draw and several players have gained beneficial gametime.
FT: LINFIELD 6-1 H&W WELDERS
LINFIELD: David Walsh (GK), Sean Brown, Ben Hall (Ethan McGee 73’), Scot Whiteside, Dane McCullough, Chris Shields © (Kirk Millar 60’), Isaac Baird (Josh Archer 60’), Charlie Allen (Chris McKee 73’), Callumn Morrison, Sam Taylor, Matt Yates (Kieran Offord 63’)
Unused subs: Chris Johns (GK), Euan East
WELDERS: Conor Mitchell (GK), Lewis Patterson, James McCarthy, Ewan McCoubrey, Craig Harris © (Liam Mullan 45’), Senan Devine, Daniel Kearns (James McClay 64’), Ronan Wilson (Jonathan James 45’), Brian Healy, Harry O’Connor (Jackson Reid 45’), Ethan Devine (Michael McLellan 74’)
Unused subs: Gerard Walker (GK), C. Bonnar
REFEREE: Ross Dunlop