Ten years on from Linfield’s surprise League Cup exit at the hands of Ballyclare Comrades (1-0) at Dixon Park, the Blues were pushed all the way again by the Comrades tonight in the County Antrim Shield, only this time David Healy’s men found a last-gasp winner from substitute Chris McKee to seal progression.
It was an entertaining cup match played in front of a good crowd on the Comrades’ new artificial surface. Both managers made several changes to their teams. Linfield were without Ethan McGee, Matthew Orr and Charlie Allen due to International duty with Northern Ireland u19s and u21s. Euan East missed out through injury, while Ben Hall, Stephen Fallon and Robbie McDaid continue to miss out for the same reason. On the plus side, captain Jamie Mulgrew made a return from injury as he made his first appearance of the season.
Ballyclare’s team was much-changed as they came off the back of a disappointing 7-2 defeat to H&W Welders last weekend. The home team responded well tonight with a spirited performance and were unlucky not to get to penalties.
The Comrades got off to a great start, netting a confidence-lifting opener in the sixth minute of the match. The goal came from a quick break when winger Brian Healy exploited space between Linfield’s right wing-back Darragh McBrien and right centre-back Scot Whiteside, being slipped through before bending a neat finish inside the far post.
The Blues then started to come into it more after a sluggish start. Josh Archer went close with a well-struck snapshot which went narrowly wide of the post, and a short time later he made a good run into the right channel where he pulled the ball across for Rhys Annett who was unlucky to have his goalbound shot blocked wide of goal.
Linfield did then equalise in the 18th minute. Following a set-piece, the returning Jamie Mulgrew showed his class with a trademark outside-of-the-foot cross which was pinpoint for central defender Sam Roscoe to head in at close range for his third goal of the season. Unfortunately, the big central defender limped off later in the first half and was replaced in the back three by substitute Chris Shields.
Five minutes later, the Blues had an opportunity to potentially take the lead from the penalty spot when Jamie Mulgrew was fouled inside the box following a trademark driving run down the left flank. Matthew Fitzpatrick stepped up and put his penalty slightly right of the centre of the goal, but not in the corner and it was saved by young goalkeeper Adam Ritchie, the Dungannon Swifts loanee.
The Blues then survived a scare five minutes before the break when Ballyclare Comrades broke dangerously. David Walsh saved well initially to deny Darius Roohi before Scot Whiteside showed great defensive instincts to get back on the line and make an excellent goalline block to deny Lee McGreevey’s goalbound shot.
Whiteside then went close at the other end of the pitch, heading just wide from Ryan McKay’s corner. Then, on the brink of half-time, Fitzpatrick teed up Rhys Annett for a great opportunity, however he scuffed his shot which allowed a defender to clear it off the line. It would prove to be Annett’s last involvement as he was withdrawn at half-time feeling the effects of a knock to his back which he sustained towards the end of the first half.
HT: Ballyclare Comrades 1-1 Linfield
Rhys Annett’s replacement at half-time was Joel Cooper and the attacker continued his great form with another goal. It came ten minutes into the second half and what a lovely goal it was too as he curled a 20-yard strike in off the underside of the crossbar to give Linfield the lead. There was no celebration out of respect to his former club.
Ballyclare-native Cooper almost scored again four minutes later as he was unlucky to see his 20-yard free-kick come back off the post on the goalkeeper’s side of the wall.
The home team continued to battle and got their reward on 67 minutes as former Cliftonville Youth attacker Michael Morgan made a strong run and hit a driven shot from 20 yards which drew a good save from David Walsh before Darius Roohi followed in to convert an equaliser.
A nervy final 20 minutes ensued for spectators. Linfield had more of the ball but the Comrades looked dangerous on the break. David Healy handed a debut to 16-year-old Kalum Thompson in the 68th minute and the attacking midfielder showed flashes of real quality.
The Blues were breathing a sigh of relief in the 72nd minute as a through ball went under the foot of Dane McCullough which allowed Ballyclare forward Morgan through on goal, however the attacker took an extra touch which gave McCullough the opportunity to get back in for a crucial block.
Having gone close in the 89th minute when Darragh McBrien headed against the crossbar at close range, the Blues were able to dig out a late winner as substitute Chris McKee headed a cross from the left into the corner. Ballyclare claimed for a push in the back of their defender but the referee said no. Had it not been for McKee’s late winner, the match would have headed straight to a penalty shoot-out.
Although it was far from the Blues’ best performance, David Healy and his team will be glad to be in the hat for the draw which takes place tomorrow (Wednesday) evening. The time is still to be confirmed but it is hoped that the draw will be live streamed on Facebook.
With no fixture this coming weekend, Linfield’s attention now turns to a home League match against Larne FC on Saturday 14 September at 15:00.
FT: Ballyclare Comrades 2-3 Linfield
Written by Jamie Megarry
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