Outgoing champions Linfield suffered a rare home defeat at the hands of title-hopefuls Larne by a 2-0 scoreline this afternoon in the second post-split fixture in an early 1pm kick-off for television broadcast purposes.
With the title gone and chances of securing European qualification automatically through the League also very slim, added to the fact the European play-off is not until mid-May, as well as having a squad rebuild on the cards, David Healy understandably rotated his squad and handed opportunities to some of the club’s emerging talent.
The Blues were without midfield duo Jamie Mulgrew and Isaac Baird, both of whom were serving one-match suspensions after picking up their fifth cautions of the campaign in Tuesday night’s 3-1 win against Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park. Blues captain Mulgrew was replaced in the starting eleven by Josh Archer. Central defender Darragh Leahy was also serving a one-match suspension – a belated punishment for his sending off against Carrick Rangers a number of weeks ago, following the conclusion of an appeal process.
The flogged Matthew Fitzpatrick was rested and Kyle McClean also dropped out of the squad through injury, while Kirk Millar and Adam Frizzell dropped to the bench. Two upcoming prospects were rewarded for their strong performances for Linfield Swifts in the Premiership Development League this season, as young central midfielders Oliver Wade (18) and Finlay Ross (17) both started, making their senior debuts. Scot Whiteside came in for his first appearance since December, alongside Cammy Ballantyne who made his first start of a season largely ravaged by injury. Jon Graham (19) made his first start for the Blues.
Larne came into the match with a lot at stake, leading Glentoran by just three points at the top of the table and with the two sides to meet in east Belfast next Friday. The leaders got off to a dream start at Windsor Park as they took the lead after exactly seven minutes after a swift break after the ball was turned over on the right of Larne’s half. A quick ball found Andy Ryan in the middle of the pitch and he showed his quality with an inch-perfect pass to put strike partner Matty Lusty through on goal, and he rounded goalkeeper David Walsh to make it 0-1.
The Blues responded well, albeit without creating much of note. The two young debutants in central midfield were courageous from the off, and even after the early setback they continued to show for the ball and keep it moving.
Indeed, the closest the Blues came to scoring was through young Oliver Wade after half-an-hour when the midfielder unleashed a sweet left-footed strike from outside the box and it flashed narrowly over the crossbar.
Larne had a good chance to double their lead when Andy Ryan was picked out in space inside the box from Tomas Cosgrove low cross from the right, but he fired over the crossbar from 12 yards. Soon after, the ball broke for Matty Lusty inside the box after Ryan was crowded out, however his strike was crucially blocked by Ethan McGee.
In the closing minutes of the first half, the visitors had a dangerous break through Lusty. The forward had Andy Ryan free to his left just outside the box, but opted to go alone and ignore the run before being crowded out, much to Ryan’s frustration.
HT: LINFIELD 0-1 LARNE
Larne made an attacking double change at the break with Doherty and O’Neill replacing Sean Graham and Jordan McEneff. Subsequently, they started the second half with real attacking intent, and the Blues found themselves under the cosh.
Gary Haveron’s men really ought to have doubled their lead a few minutes after the break when Andy Ryan burst past Cammy Ballantyne inside the box before squaring the ball for Paul O’Neill who somehow fired over at close range. In fairness, the cutback was a little bit behind him, but he still should have buried it.
Andy Ryan then had a shot well saved by David Walsh at his near post, before Ronan Doherty had a pop from distance which flashed narrowly wide of the goal.
The Blues got through Larne’s dominant spell and then got a foothold again. In fact, for a spell around the hour-mark, all the play was happening in and around Larne’s defensive third of the pitch. However, the youthful Blues just couldn’t find the final ball.
Larne re-established their threat as Paul O’Neill turned and travelled from deep, all the way into Linfield’s box before his low strike was brilliantly saved by David Walsh down to his right. A short time later, O’Neill was picked out by Ryan at close range, but this time he was denied by a great block by Dane McCullough.
The Invermen then grabbed the elusive second goal to settle their nerves in the 75th minute when their English giant, Matt Ridley, rose to meet a cross from the right and direct a header into the corner. Surprisingly, it is only the second goal of the six-foot-five central defender’s season.
The Blues keep trying and almost grabbed a goal back in stoppage time when Sean Brown’s cross was headed by Mark Randall against his own post. Former Blues ‘keeper Rohan Ferguson clattered into the post in an attempt to save it, but thankfully, he was okay after some medical treatment.
The young debutants provided the positives for the Blues today and with two League fixtures remaining – home to Coleraine and Cliftonville – there will be further opportunities to rotate the squad with an eye on the European play-off final in May.
FT: LINFIELD 0-2 LARNE
Linfieldfc.com Man of the Match: Sean Brown