After the euphoria of beating rivals Glentoran in extra-time to win the Bet McLean Cup in front of over 12 thousand on Sunday, Linfield were brought back down to earth with a bang tonight as the Blues suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Carrick Rangers. Any slim chances of the champions retaining the title can be put to bed, and this result does their European aspirations no favours either.
David Healy made three changes to his starting line-up. Chris McKee was rewarded for his cup-winning heroics with a start in his hometown, with Adam Frizzell and Dane McCullough also coming in. Isaac Baird was unavailable. Kirk Millar and Sam Taylor both dropped to the bench.
With 120 seats reserved for the home team’s American investors, there was a different kind of atmosphere at Taylors Avenue than what it’s used to. The excitable crowd were enthused by a quick tempo as the ball went from back to front quickly, and they were off their seats after 25 minutes with the first chance of the match as a quick ball over the top put Paul Heatley through on goal, but Linfield ‘keeper Chris Johns came out on top with a good save.
The Blues almost took the lead a few minutes later. Leahy knocked the ball forward and it was headed on by McKee to release Fitzpatrick down the left. The striker cut inwardly before his deflected shot fell kindly for McKee whose low shot was brilliantly saved by the goalkeeper down to his left.
David Healy was dealt a blow after half-an-hour as defender Euan East pulled up injured. He was replaced by Sam Taylor.
When Linfield drew 0-0 at the same venue in January, the Blues were reduced to ten men after 33 minutes when Josh Archer was sent off for a last-man challenge. History repeated itself last night, only this time it was Darragh Leahy sent off after 36 minutes. Although contact appeared to be minimal, the defender was adjudged to have pulled back Carrick forward Joe Moore who was racing onto Heatley’s pass to go through on goal.
Things went from bad to worse for the Blues as they conceded on the brink of half-time. A deep free-kick from the left was headed across by Luke McCullough into Joe Crowe whose header drew a good save from Chris Johns who was helpless as USA International defender Matthew Olosunde followed in to score the rebound from a couple of yards out, much to the delight of his fellow Americans in the home stand.
HT: CARRICK RANGERS 1-0 LINFIELD
David Healy made a change at the break as Kirk Millar replaced Adam Frizzell. The Blues made a more positive start to the second half but were shot-shy when they got into decent areas.
The home team then went close to doubling their lead six minutes into the second half as a deflected cross from the right fell for the experienced Paul Heatley whose fierce volley was brilliantly saved by Chris Johns to his left.
A short time later, Chris McKee was unlucky not to equalise. The striker got the break of the ball inside the box before he hammered a strike narrowly over the bar from a tight angle.
The hosts then doubled their lead and effectively sealed the win after 72 minutes. Right wing-back Mikey Place worked space on the right to hammer in a low cross from the right before captain Luke McCullough pounced at close range to blast the ball into the net.
In stoppage time the Blues almost netted a consolation goal as McClean squared the ball for substitute Robbie McDaid at close range, but his volley was blocked on the line by the head of Luke McCullough. Then, in the closing seconds, McDaid looked to have been fouled inside the box, but a free-kick was the outcome, from which Sam Taylor had a header saved.
The result sees the Blues locked in fourth position ahead of the split, and with Glentoran locked in second place, the two rivals and Bet McLean Cup finalists will meet again next weekend at The Oval. Date and time to be confirmed in the coming days. The Blues will go to the east without not just Darragh Leahy, but also Kyle McClean, who picked up his fifth booking of the season against Carrick. Euan East will also have to be assessed.
Congratulations to former Linfield stalwart Jimmy Callacher who made his 600th Irish League appearance in this match.
FT: CARRICK RANGERS 2-0 LINFIELD
CARRICK RANGERS: Nathan Gartside (GK), Matthew Olosunde, Jimmy Callacher, Luke McCullough ©, Mikey Place, Joe Crowe (Kyle Cherry 88’), Matthew Snoddy, Aidan Steele, Benamin Buchanan-Rolleston, Joseph Moore (Ryan Waide 70’), Paul Heatley
Unused subs: Lorcan Donnelly (GK), Reece Glendinning, Eoghan McCawl, Darrin Hill, Rakealan Jeffers
LINFIELD: Chris Johns (GK), Ethan McGee, Ben Hall, Darragh Leahy, Euan East (Sam Taylor 31’), Dane McCullough, Josh Archer (Robbie McDaid 67’), Kyle McClean ©, Adam Frizzell (Kirk Millar 45’), Chris McKee (Jamie Mulgrew 74’), Matthew Fitzpatrick
Unused subs: David Walsh (GK), Sean Brown, Matt Yates
REFEREE: Tony Clarke
Yellow cards: Kyle McClean
Red cards: Darragh Leahy 36’