It was thanks to a late extra-time penalty from Chris McKee that Linfield defeated rivals Glentoran at Windsor Park this afternoon to win the Bet McLean Cup (formerly League Cup/City Cup) for a record 37th time.
It was the first cup final meeting of the ‘Big Two’ – the two most successful clubs in the history of the competition – since 2006, when a hat-trick from Glenn ‘Spike’ Ferguson gave the Blues a 3-0 victory at the pre-redeveloped Windsor Park. The two rivals did also meet in a final in 2010, but that was in the County Antrim Shield.
Linfield had beaten Queens University (2-0), H&W Welders (6-3 AET), Newry City (2-3) and Ballymena United (1-0) in the run-up to the final, whilst Glentoran’s road to the final included wins over Institute (0-1), Crusaders (2-1), Cliftonville (5-4 on penalties after 1-1 draw) and Coleraine (2-1 AET).
12,297 was the total attendance this afternoon for the final which was also broadcast live on BBC and Sky Sports. The occasion was the first time that VAR had ever been used in a domestic Irish League match – a decision much debated and criticised by many across the Irish League. The operators of VAR were brought in from Scotland.
The match itself was close-fought throughout. Both teams’ effort and endeavour from start to finish could not be questioned. In terms of sheer quality, it wasn’t the greatest of matches but the ‘Big Two’ derby often is cagey and decided on small margins.
Linfield had more of the ball in the first half but Glentoran had the better opportunities, with former blue Jordan Stewart having three good chances inside the opening twenty minutes. Firstly, he got across the front post to meet Danny Amos’ low corner, but he hooked his shot wide. Then, shortly after, the ball deflected kindly into the attacker who was in space inside the box, but he fired a first-time volley over the bar.
Stewart then went within a whisker of giving the Glens the lead in the 16th minute. With Glentoran winger Ross Clarke unavailable due to being cup-tied, having played for Crusaders in a previous round of the competition, a start was handed to former Glenavon winger Josh Daniels. The man from Londonderry got down the right and put in a low cross which came through for Stewart to run onto the ball just outside the box and he connected sweetly with a low strike which flashed inches wide of the post.
Glentoran’s deliveries from wide areas were of good quality, and the left foot of Danny Amos showed this when his tantalising cross flashed across the box. The ball came through to Josh Daniels at the back post, but Euan East managed to make a vital block.
Although the Blues got some joy down the left early on between East and Taylor, they didn’t really work the Glentoran goalkeeper. However, shortly after the half-hour mark, Kirk Millar was unlucky not to score from 25 yards with an opportunist moment of class as he turned and hit a swerving volley which had the ‘keeper beaten but flashed agonisingly wide.
Glentoran talisman Pat Hoban was well marshalled by the Linfield defence, but he did have a decent opening on the brink of half-time when he worked space on the edge of the box, but his shot was deflected and it landed kindly for Jordan Stewart at close range, however Linfield midfielder Isaac Baird did brilliantly to make a vital and timely challenge.
HT: LINFIELD 0-0 GLENTORAN
The second half was another real battle with neither team giving up chances easily. It always felt like one goal would be enough to win the game, and the closest Linfield came in the second half was ten minutes after the break as McGee found Kyle McClean whose clever flick played Matthew Fitzpatrick in, but the forward’s driven shot was met by a terrific save from English goalkeeper Billy Crellin who managed to tip it over the crossbar.
A short time later, Glentoran threatened up at the Kop End as a cross from the right was only half cleared by McGee as left-back Danny Amos seized upon the loose ball before seeing a well-struck volley well saved by Johns who pushed it around the post.
Linfield’s first change came on 63 minutes as Isaac Baird made way for Adam Frizzell who gave the Blues a bit of spark while also doing the dirty side of the game. Another positive impact from the Scotsman.
The match remained on a knife-edge as it entered the latter stages. With some players’ tanks running low, David Healy turned to his bench and made a double change with a change of shape with ten minutes remaining as Sam Taylor and Josh Archer both made way for Dane McCullough and Jamie Mulgrew, both of whom also made positive impacts in the match.
On 84 minutes, VAR was called upon for the first time as it checked a potential Glentoran penalty for handball, but after a review that took around a minute, the referee Ben McMaster was advised to continue play.
Kyle McClean had a 30-yard free-kick saved in the closing minutes, but Glentoran were the team pushing for a winner in the last five minutes of the game, forcing several corners that were defended in a stoic manner by the Blues.
FT: LINFIELD 0-0 GLENTORAN
Both teams continued to show good battling qualities and endurance as the match entered two fifteen-minute periods of extra-time. Linfield had the better of it in extra-time, however. Chris McKee replaced Kirk Millar at the end of normal time and again, it was another sub that had a positive impact on the game.
The first half of extra-time was quiet in terms of chances, with the one point of interest coming when Jamie Mulgrew looked to be leading a very promising Linfield counter-attack before being chopped down by former teammate Cammy Palmer.
The excellent Ethan McGee had to be replaced midway through the second half – he had put so much into the game that he was struggling to walk, let alone run! Sean Brown was his replacement on the right side of defence.
With three minutes remaining, the match was decided. Chris McKee played a one-two with Matthew Fitzpatrick, with the latter’s through ball sending McKee through in the box before he was chopped down by Glentoran defender Kamson-Kamara. The referee pointed to the spot and the defender had no complaints. Despite Kyle McClean scoring from the spot against Portadown on Tuesday in a season where the Blues’ penalty record hasn’t been too hot, Chris McKee took on responsibility. With a hop, skip and a jump, the forward confidently stroked his penalty into the bottom left corner, sending the ‘keeper the other direction to spark joyous scenes for the Linfield supporters in the Railway End behind the net. On Mother’s Day, the pride Mrs. McKee must feel in her son surely must be one of the greatest gifts she’s ever received.
It had looked like a nervy penalty shootout was inevitable, and the Blues were even preparing to bring on Matt Yates to hit one, but McKee’s goal changed everything.
In the remaining three minutes – plus another additional two – the Blues weren’t really trouble and saw out the victory with relative comfort as David Healy claimed his 14th winners’ medal as Linfield manager.
A gutsy showing from the Blues who found a way to win a tough game and win the Bet McLean Cup for the third time in four years. There’s an added bonus, too – the Blues are now guaranteed to be in the final of the European play-offs at the end of the season if they don’t qualify automatically through their league position.
That said, the Blues will look to finish the league campaign strongly and hope they won’t need to be involved in any play-off. So, on that note, it’s on to Carrick Rangers at Taylors Avenue on Friday night in the Blues’ final pre-split fixture.
FT AET: LINFIELD 1-0 GLENTORAN
LINFIELD: Chris Johns (GK), Ethan McGee (Sean Brown 113’), Ben Hall, Darragh Leahy, Euan East, Josh Archer (Jamie Mulgrew 81’), Kyle McClean (c), Isaac Baird (Adam Frizzell 64’), Kirk Millar (Chris McKee 90’), Sam Taylor (Dane McCullough 81’), Matthew Fitzpatrick
Unused subs: David Walsh (GK), Matt Yates
GLENTORAN: Billy Crellin (GK), Ryan Cooney, MJ Kamson- Kamara, Marcus Kane (c) (Daniel Larmour 90’), Danny Amos, Cammy Palmer, James Singleton (James Douglas 113’), Aaron McEneff, Josh Daniels (Jordan Jenkins 88’), Jordan Stewart (Liam Burt 74’), Pat Hoban
Unused subs: Andrew Mills (GK), Dylan Connolly, Ben Gallagher
Yellow cards: Danny Amos & Cammy Palmer (Glentoran), Kyle McClean & Matthew Fitzpatrick (Linfield)
REFEREE: Ben McMaster
VAR: Grant Irvine (SCO)
Assistant VAR: Garry Hilland (SCO)