Linfield now trail leaders Larne by 16 points following a frustrating goalless draw against Carrick Rangers at a cold Taylors Avenue last night.
It was the 56th time the teams had faced each-other in a league fixture, but the first ever goalless league draw between the teams. It was also just the second time that Linfield had failed to score against Carrick Rangers in the league, with the other occasion being back in November 1987 when a first-half Keith Halliday goal gave the Amber Army a 1-0 win.
The Blues lacked creativity and only managed one shot on target on a night when their away struggles continued. Carrick Rangers had the better of the chances, but the main talking point from the match was an incident in the 33rd minute when Linfield midfielder Josh Archer was sent off.
Shortly before that, ‘Gers striker Adam Lecky was booked for an elbow on Linfield defender Ben Hall during an aerial duel. The nasty blow cut Hall open and he had to leave the pitch, get bandaged up and change his bloodstained shirt. The referee restarted play when Hall was on the sideline, and before he could be waved back, Carrick broke quickly through Paul Heatley who was brought down on the edge of the box by Josh Archer. The referee adjudged it to have been denial of an clear goalscoring opportunity, however Archer protested his case that Euan East was covering and would have mopped up what appeared to be a heavy touch by Heatley. Replays suggest Archer had a case and can feel unfortunate, and there was also a degree of misfortune in the sense that had Ben Hall not having sustained that wound, Archer would never have needed to have been in that position.
A few minutes later, the Blues had a penalty appeal rejected. Isaac Baird got the better of a ‘Gers defender down the right, leading to the defender pulling Baird back by his shirt. A free-kick was awarded just outside the box, but Linfield players felt the foul continued until Baird got inside the box, similar to the instance which saw Matthew Fitzpatrick earn Linfield a penalty in a 1-1 draw away to Glentoran back in September.
The Blues’ shot on target came from Fitzpatrick with a left-footed volley which was saved after Carrick couldn’t fully clear Dane McCullough’s corner delivery. Euan East, Matthew Fitzpatrick and Ethan McGee also had goalbound headers crucially blocked. However, the closest Linfield came to a goal was later in the first half when Isaac Baird did well to create enough room to fizz a cross to the front post where Fitzpatrick turned it just wide of the post.
HT: CARRICK RANGERS 0-0 LINFIELD
Carrick Rangers could and probably should have taken the lead just 30 seconds into the second half. The hosts started quickly as a pinpoint left-wing cross from Buchanan-Rolleston found Paul Heatley who put a headed effort the wrong side of the post from a good position. Left-back Buchanan-Rolleston then went close himself nine minutes later when his low strike from 20 yards flashed past the post.
For Linfield, there were several corners which amounted to nothing of note. The only time the Blues threatened was when Ethan McGee peeled to the back post to meet Dane McCullough’s deep corner, but he couldn’t adjust himself to hit the target.
A scuffed defensive clearance from Ben Hall led to a blocked shot which deflected kindly into the path of Carrick frontman Danny Gibson, but he snatched at the shot and it proved to be a comfortable save for Chris Johns.
Then, on 87 minutes, veteran winger Paul Heatley had a big chance to win it for Stephen Baxter’s side, but he volleyed over from 18 yards following Adam Lecky’s knock-down. The winger has shown his capability of scoring such a volley in the past, but in hindsight may regret not taking a touch before shooting.
A point was not much use to either team as Linfield remain fourth and Carrick Rangers remain eleventh, but it was a match lacking in real quality and excitement on a difficult pitch.
Next up for the Blues is a home league match against Larne on Friday evening.
FT: CARRICK RANGERS 0-0 LINFIELD
CARRICK RANGERS: Scott Pengelly (GK), Billy Joe Burns, Luke McCullough ©, Mikey Place, Benjamin Buchanan-Rolleston, Joe Crowe, Aidan Steele, Matthew Snoddy, Paul Heatley, Danny Gibson, Adam Lecky
Unused subs: Lorcan Donnelly (GK), Jimmy Callacher, Eoghan McCawl, Codey James, Jack Boyd, Daniel Grills, Matthew Olosunde
LINFIELD: Chris Johns (Gk), Ethan McGee, Ben Hall, Euan East, Dane McCullough, Jamie Mulgrew ©, Kyle McClean, Josh Archer, Isaac Baird (Chris McKee 77’), Matt Yates (Callumn Morrison 58’), Matthew Fitzpatrick
Unused subs: David Walsh (GK), Sean Brown, Alex Gorrin, Charlie Allen, Sam Taylor
REFEREE: Tim Marshall
Yellow cards: Adam Lecky (Carrick Rangers), Callumn Morrison & Jamie Mulgrew (Linfield)
Red card: Josh Archer (Linfield) 33’