Linfield recorded a 3-0 victory over Bangor at Clandeboye Park last night courtesy of goals from Matthew Fitzpatrick, Kieran Offord and Chris McKee.
It was the first League meeting between the teams since 2009, when a own goal from Bangor’s Darren Lockhart meant Linfield left north Down with the three points that day.
A lot has changed since then. Bangor have since been relegated down as far as the Ballymena Provincial Intermediate League – the fourth tier – after a period of financial difficulties and low attendances.
A period of change behind the scenes at the Seasiders then led to a resurgence and a meteoric rise as former Linfield star Lee Feeney took the reins and led Bangor back to the promised land.
But whilst it had been 16 years since the Blues’ last League visit, David Healy had brought his team for friendly matches in recent years, so it wasn’t unfamiliar surroundings for a lot of his players.
Plus, there were many familiar faces in the Bangor matchday squad; Gareth Deane, Caomhan McGuinness, Mark Haughey, Reece Neale, Lewis Harrison and Robert Garrett all being former Linfield players. On the other hand, Linfield players Chris Johns and Sean Brown are both former Bangor players, whilst captain Jamie Mulgrew has connections to the club and is a native of Bangor.
There was a vibrant atmosphere at Clandeboye Park which reflected the significance of the occasion for the host club who’d worked so hard to make such nights possible, and were now hosting the Irish League champions and more than 1,2000 away supporters, plus a great turnout of their own, totalling an attendance of 2,441.
Linfield were without midfielder Chris Shields who suffered a serious, long-term knee injury in last week’s 2-0 win over Glenavon at Windsor Park. The 34-year-old was replaced in the starting eleven by captain Jamie Mulgrew upon his return from injury.
Sam Roscoe also came into the side, in place of Callumn Morrison whose wife gave birth just days ago, while Kirk Millar and Kieran Offord came in for Chris McKee and Sam Taylor.
The Blues dominated the ball in the opening stages without creating any real clear-cut chances. They managed to get down the sides and put in some dangerous crosses, but Bangor defended well.
David Healy’s team then took the lead in the 14th minute. The returning Jamie Mulgrew had an excellent game in midfield, and he was the architect behind the opening goal as his inch-perfect pass cut the Bangor defence open to put Matthew Fitzpatrick through on goal, before he rifled a clinical finish into the roof of the net for his fifth goal of the season.
Bangor showed a positive response to going behind as they had a good spell for a few minutes where several dangerous crosses were put into the Blues’ box, but the Linfield defence and goalkeeper Chris Johns dealt with it well, both individually and collectively.
But the Blues soon regained control and went in search of a second. A nice move saw Kyle McClean’s pass to Matthew Fitzpatrick moved on first time to Kieran Offord. The Scotsman got into the box and held off a defender before his left-footed shot drew a good save from Gareth Deane at his near post.
Then, a corner from Kirk Millar was cleared only as far as Kyle McClean on the edge of the box, from where his fierce left-footed half-volley was deflected just wide of the post.
The champions did then get their second goal in the 29th minute as Kirk Millar whipped a corner delivery to the back post where Matthew Fitzpatrick knocked it back across for Kieran Offord to turn in at close range for his eighth goal of the season.
It was the perfect half from the Blues at a tough away venue as they took a two-goal lead into the half-time interval. As has been the case countless times over the years, the evergreen Jamie Mulgrew was a key man in the Blues’ good play.
HT: BANGOR 0-2 LINFIELD
Bangor made a couple of changes at the break and went with a more direct, attacking approach in the second half to try and get themselves back into it.
The Seasiders probably had the better of it for a good 25 minutes in the second half, but ultimately couldn’t find a breakthrough that could have changed the game.
It could have been very different had it not been for Sam Roscoe, as it was he who made a crucial block to deny Mark Haughey’s volley on the swivel following Reece Neale’s long throw-in into the box. The big defender played an important part in dealing with aerial balls into the Blues’ box as Bangor tried to play off talisman Ben Arthurs.
A few minutes later, a ball over the top sent substitute Jay Boyd through down the left, but the former Crusaders prospect pulled a left-footed shot wide of goal.
The Seasiders had another opportunity on the hour-mark as a free-kick from the right found Ben Arthurs for a free header, but he was unable to generate the power required to really trouble Chris Johns and it proved to be a fairly straightforward save for the Blues’ goalkeeper against his former club.
The Blues didn’t create an awful lot in the second half, but threatened to wrap things up 15 minutes before the end as Kyle McClean drove in a cross from the left and it was met by Sam Roscoe with a header, but his effort was headed over the bar by an alert Bangor defender.
Former Linfield stalwart Mark Haughey went close again for the hosts ten minutes before time as Liam Hassin headed on a Bangor corner which was headed on by the big defender, with his effort an awkward one for Chris Johns who made a good save to claw it out from under his crossbar. Moments later, a scramble in the Linfield box following another long throw from Reece Neale saw the ball flash past the post by inches, with the ball deflecting off a Linfield defender. Fine margins.
The Blues then put the result beyond any lingering doubt in the 90th minute with a well-worked third goal as Matthew Fitzpatrick slid a neat ball through to substitute Chris McKee who produced a classy finish over the onrushing goalkeeper to find the top corner for his second goal of the season.
This was a pleasing win for the champions at a venue that’s already proven a difficult place for away teams to go this season. The second half was a real battle for the Blues who found themselves under the cosh for periods. It was clear to see why the Seasiders had made a positive start to the season with three wins from their opening seven fixtures.
The Blues now turn attentions to a League Cup tie against Queens University at Windsor Park on Tuesday evening. The next League match is next Friday evening against Crusaders, also at Windsor Park.
FT: BANGOR 0-3 LINFIELD
BANGOR: Gareth Deane (GK), Caomhan McGuinness (Jack O’Mahoney 39’), Harry Lynch, Mark Haughey, Reece Neale, Stephen McGuinness (Lewis Francis 45’), Liam Hassan, Oisin Devlin (Lewis Harrison 76’), Tiarnan Mulvenna (Michael Morgan 86’), Ben Cushnie (Jay Boyd 45’), Ben Arthurs
Unused subs: Patrick Solis-Grogan (GK), Robert Garrett
LINFIELD: Chris Johns (GK), Sean Brown, Ben Hall, Sam Roscoe, Euan East, Kirk Millar (Ethan McGee 90′), Jamie Mulgrew (C) (Josh Archer 73’), Isaac Baird, Kyle McClean, Kieran Offord (Chris McKee 73’), Matthew Fitzpatrick
Unused subs: David Walsh (GK), Dane McCullough, Sam Taylor, Matt Yates