It was the late Yates show yesterday as Scottish forward Matt Yates came off the bench to net two late goals and ensure Linfield overcame a spirited Carrick Rangers with a 3-1 victory at Windsor Park – a win which sees the Blues leapfrog Glentoran into third place in the Sports Direct Premiership.
With Carrick Rangers boss Stephen Baxter absent, the ‘Gers were led by Assistant Manager, Peter Thompson – not to be confused with his namesake who was a legendary striker for Linfield. This Peter Thompson was the man who managed Queens University to a shock win over the Blues in the fifth round of the Irish Cup in 2020, and he was aiming for another upset yesterday.
The Linfield starting eleven featured two changes following Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Crusaders, with Ben Hall and Callumn Morrison coming into the team in place of Scot Whiteside and Kyle McClean who were both unavailable. Josh Archer was also unavailable as Jamie Mulgrew returned to the squad after two months out injured, whilst youthful duo Jon Graham (19) and Oliver Wade (17) were named on the bench.
It was far from the Blues’ best performance of the season, and although they got the job done in the end, it was a real slog at times. Of course, Carrick Rangers also must take credit as they were courageous in their play and put in a performance which would make you wonder how they’re sitting in eleventh place in the table.
The Amber Army made it an uncomfortable afternoon for the Blues, and the champions endured their first scare inside the opening two minutes as a loose backpass from Millar was intercepted by Billy Joe Burns, but the angle was too tight for a shot from close range, and he dribbled the ball out of play which was a let-off for the hosts.
However, the Blues then took the lead after 11 minutes and it was oh so fitting that legendary winger Kirk Millar would assist the opener on his 500th Linfield appearance. Wearing the captain’s armband, the 33-year-old was teed up on the right after good play from Morrison, and Millar whipped in a glorious delivery for Chris McKee to head the ball in from seven yards. McKee’s goal against his local team was his fifth goal of the season in all competitions.
Another native of Carrickfergus, Charlie Allen almost doubled the Blues’ lead a short time later. Isaac Baird had carried the Blues forward before finding the midfielder inside the box, but his curling effort flashed wide of the far post.
Then, on 26 minutes, Carrick Rangers passed up two good opportunities to equalise. A corner from the right caused the Blues all kinds of problems and, after being unable to clear, the ball fell kindly for former blue Joe Crowe whose volley at close range was well saved by Chris Johns before striker Danny Gibson headed an effort onto the roof of the net on the follow-up.
Later in the first half, Chris McKee played Callumn Morrison through with a neat pass over the top over the Carrick Rangers defence, but the Scotsman was denied twice in quick succession by onrushing goalkeeper Nathan Gartside. The ‘keeper was called into action once more on the cusp of half-time as he sprung to his right to push away a 20-yard left-footed strike from Chris McKee.
HT: LINFIELD 1-0 CARRICK RANGERS
Although the Blues led at the break, there was an edginess about the first half and it seemed they lacked a firm grip of the game, something which is rarely the case at Windsor Park. Despite being ahead, David Healy would no doubt have wanted an improvement in the second half, but they were slow out of the blocks.
The visitors gave the Blues another scare two minutes into the second half. A neat move saw Danny Gibson find Matthew Snoddy down the right. Snoddy crossed for Adam Lecky who showed good awareness to head the ball into the path of Gibson who carried his run into the box before his first-time shot struck the post.
A short time later, former Glentoran striker Gibson went close again as his driven shot from inside the box was brilliantly saved by Chris Johns with a strong left hand after the shot had taken a deflection off Sam Roscoe.
Linfield goalscorer Chris McKee picked up an injury on 63 minutes and was replaced by Ethan McGee.
Carrick Rangers then got their equaliser in the 71st minute. It had been coming and the manner of it only added to Linfield’s frustrations as it was a cheap goal to give away. The Blues were unable to fully clear Gibson’s cross from the left before midfielder Aidan Steele poked in the leveller with a neat finish from eight yards.
The equaliser kicked the Blues into life and their response was almost instant as Ethan McGee played in Fitzpatrick who lifted the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper to find Callumn Morrison whose header was blocked on the line.
With 15 minutes remaining, David Healy turned to his bench and made a triple substitution that would pay dividends. On came the evergreen Jamie Mulgrew to finally give the Blues control of the game, as well as Sam Taylor who set up the clincher and Matt Yates who was the gamewinner.
Fitzpatrick had two good chances in quick succession, firstly heading agonisingly wide after rising well to meet Ethan McGee’s long throw from the right, and then heading over from Callumn Morrison’s pinpoint cross from the left.
Carrick Rangers then went close on 82 minutes, but Chris Johns made another big save at a key moment in the match after Ryan Waide squared the ball to Adam Lecky in a great position.
The Blues took the lead with a big goal in the 86th minute. Callumn Morrison was instrumental in the Blues getting the win as he got real joy down the left wing in the late stages. The Scotsman left his man for dead before crossing for Fitzpatrick who struck a shot on the turn. Gartside was equal to it but Matt Yates followed in to force the ball over the line.
The job was done there as a minimum of six additional minutes were signalled. Jamie Mulgrew put Sam Taylor through on goal in the second added minute, but the winger put his effort the wrong side of the post.
Thankfully for Linfield, the outcome was put beyond doubt in the 95th minute as the Blues added a third. Again, Morrison played a big part as his stylish flick put Sam Taylor through on goal, and he squared it for Matt Yates to step onto it and produced the most composed to finishes for his second of the day and his fourth of the season.
The Blues remain seven points behind league leaders Larne, and although the Blues have a game in hand over the Inver men, it makes Friday’s trip to Inver Park an important match. However, the primary focus is a League Cup quarter-final clash away to Newry City on Tuesday evening.
FT: LINFIELD 3-1 CARRICK RANGERS
Linfieldfc.com Man of the Match: Ben Hall
LINFIELD: Chris Johns (GK), Sean Brown, Ben Hall, Sam Roscoe (Jamie Mulgrew 75’), Dane McCullough, Isaac Baird (Sam Taylor 75’), Kirk Millar ©, Charlie Allen (Matt Yates 75’), Callumn Morrison, Chris McKee (Ethan McGee 63’), Matthew Fitzpatrick
Unused subs: David Walsh (GK), Jon Graham, Oliver Wade
CARRICK RANGERS: Nathan Gartside (GK), Billy Joe Burns (Seanan Clucas 80’), Jimmy Callacher, Luke McCullough ©, Benjamin Buchanan-Rolleston (Ryan Waide 70’), Matthew Snoddy (Eoghan McCawl 90’), Joe Crowe, Kyle Cherry (Jack Boyd 90’), Aidan Steele, Danny Gibson, Adam Lecky
Unused subs: Scott Pengelly (GK), Reece Glendinning, Jack Scott
Referee: Christopher Morrison
Yellow cards: Ethan McGee