Linfield lifted the Gibson Cup for a world record 57th time yesterday following a 2-1 derby win over Glentoran at a sunny Windsor Park.
Having narrowly missed out to Larne in the title race in the previous two seasons, this league title success brought great delight to the Linfield faithful. There was a carnival atmosphere in and around Windsor Park yesterday with the Blues knowing that, irrespective of the result of the match, the prestigious old trophy was returning home.
A total of 5,579 spectators were in attendance – including just 458 Glentoran supporters in the North Stand – for the early 1pm kick-off, brought forward to accommodate BBC live television coverage. Various fun activities and face-painting were put on for kids at Windsor, and the crowd were entertained by the excellent Somme Memorial Flute Band from Bangor in the pre-match period which all shaped a memorial day for Linfield supporters of all ages.
There had been discussion across the Irish League this week as to whether Glentoran would perform a guard of honour for Linfield who wrapped up the league title three weeks ago but, unlike Crusaders and Dungannon Swifts, the Glens chose not to.
In terms of team news, Linfield boss David Healy recalled several players who were given Tuesday night off when an entirely changed team defeated Crusaders 3-1 at Windsor Park. Again, the entire team was changed as an attacking team was put out, and the Blues started on the front foot as they looked to feed off the 2,050 fans in the Kop stand and the 3,078 in the South Stand.
The Blues threatened inside the opening two minutes as a free-kick on the left wing was swung in by Kirk Millar and pushed out by the Glentoran goalkeeper. Jamie Mulgrew recycled the ball back out to Millar on the left and his deflected cross fell kindly for Joel Cooper in a dangerous central area from where his goalbound strike was blocked by Fuad Sule.
Then, in the fifth minute, Linfield raced forward in a counter-attack that was very promising. Fitzpatrick carried the ball up to the edge of the Glentoran box and then fed the ball to Morrison to his left, but the Scotsman lost control of the ball and the Glens were able to get back and clear the danger.
The breakthrough goal did then arrive in the ninth minute as the champions took the lead. Joel Cooper got the better of Glentoran defender Frankie Hvid down the left and he squared it for Matthew Fitzpatrick who teed up Callumn Morrison on the edge of the box. Scottish attacker Morrison then feinted to shoot, shimmying past Fuad Sule before squeezing a low left-footed shot beyond the ‘keeper to spark great scenes in front of the Kop.
After Linfield’s fast start, Glentoran grew into it after the first ten minutes or so, responding well to going behind, with Charlie Lindsay getting into some dangerous areas. The Glens then got their equaliser in the 23rd minute after patient play as David Fisher got down the left and crossed before Joe Thomson’s scuffed shot was retrieved by Jordan Jenkins who composed himself to turn and fire the ball low into the bottom left corner.
However, the Blues then responded in the perfect manner, restoring their lead on the half-hour mark. Jamie Mulgrew expertly turned Glentoran midfielder Joe Thomson down the left and drove into the box before showing good composure and execution to slide the ball across the face of goal for Kirk Millar to slot in from a couple of yards out for his sixth goal of the season as he wheeled away in front of the Kop in great delight.
A few minutes later, Glentoran weren’t too far away from what would have been a bit of a freak equaliser as Linfield ‘keeper David Walsh’s attempted clearance was blocked by Jordan Jenkins, with the ball going not far wide of the post.
In the final minutes of the half, Glentoran midfielder Charlie Lindsay took up another good position with a run in behind to meet Danny Amos’ pinpoint diagonal pass into the box, but Jamie Mulgrew was racing back to make a timely challenge that may well have been goal-saving.
HT: Linfield 2-1 Glentoran
Despite being one of Glentoran’s biggest threats in the first half, Charlie Lindsay was replaced by James Douglas at the break. The Glens made a strong start to the second half, going close in the 48th minute when David Fisher pounced upon a loose ball inside the box and struck a volley sweetly, with Ben Hall making a crucial block yards from goal.
A minute later, Hall was disappointed not to score up the other end as Kirk Millar delivered a wicked free-kick from the left, and the defender had space but was unable to get connection on a volley as it was then cleared for a corner which came to nothing.
There was a minute’s applause and chants of ‘Stand up for the champions!’ in the 57th minute to mark Linfield’s 57th Irish League title. That almost turned into delirium as Cooper went close twice within the minute, firstly having a shot blocked and then dragging a low shot wide of the post. Then, a minute later, Fitzpatrick got in behind the Glens defence and, due to the angle being against him, he squared it for Cooper who was denied by the goalkeeper but will wish he’d fed it into Morrison who was free to his left. This was a really strong spell for Linfield for ten or fifteen minutes early in the second half and there was a sense that if they’d gone to 3-1 it could have become a bigger margin of victory.
It took a superb double-save from goalkeeper David Walsh to preserve Linfield’s lead in the 66th minute as Fisher raced down the left and played a ball over the top to send Jordan Jenkins through on goal, but his volley was brilliantly saved by Walsh’s left leg, and then he stood up to narrow the angle to deny Christy Pattison at close range on the rebound.
Pattison had only been on the pitch a minute and it was his first touch. The Glens looked more dangerous once he entered the play as he got into some dangerous positions high up the right wing, although the end product was lacking.
Walsh was called into action again on 79 minutes but once again he had the answers as he produced another very good stop. A strong 20-yard volley from Jordan Jenkins dipped awkwardly in front of the young ‘keeper who did very well to divert it around the post for a corner which ended up as a free-kick out for a foul on Walsh.
Substitute attacker Chris McKee almost sealed victory for the Blues on two separate occasions in the final ten minutes. Firstly, he headed just wide of the post from Kirk Millar’s left-wing free-kick delivery, and then he took a purposeful touch inside the box before drilling the ball towards the near post where the goalkeeper made a good stop.
Four additional minutes were added but Glentoran didn’t carve out any significant chances. They did have a corner in the 93rd minute and sent their goalkeeper forward, but a header went harmlessly wide for a goalkick. This was an important match for Glentoran in the race for second and automatic European qualification, but Linfield deserved their victory on the day.
The Blues didn’t want to go a full season without beating their old rivals, having lost four and drawn one of the previous five derby fixtures prior to this one, so this win restores natural order and was a fine way to truly kick off the title celebrations. The champions are now 25 points ahead of second-place Glentoran, and keeps the Blues on track to set a club record points tally which would equal Cliftonville’s record of 90 points in the 2012-13 season.
It’s been a tough and challenging season, and one of grief for everyone associated with Linfield FC, losing physio Paul Butler a week before pre-season, former defender Michael Newberry who remained a close friend to many Linfield players, and stalwart Andy Kerr MBE who served the club with distinction for 57 years. All three gentlemen were much loved at Windsor Park; their losses were felt and will continue to be. It was very poignant that Linfield shirts with their names on the back were laid on the Windsor Park pitch just in front of where the celebrations took place. It is great credit to the Linfield squad that they came through that grief to deliver the title, and especially in the emphatic manner in which it’s been achieved. Hopefully, they enjoyed the celebrations, because they deserve to.
It’s a remarkable 11th league title for captain Jamie Mulgrew, a sixth for both David Healy and Kirk Millar, but a first for many members of the squad who’ll hope it’s the first of many now that they have experienced a taste of success.
A good game of football and a wonderful day for everyone associated with Linfield FC. There are still three League matches remaining – at home to Dungannon Swifts next Saturday, before finishing with away fixtures against Larne and Coleraine.
FT: Linfield 2-1 Glentoran
Linfieldfc.com Man of the Match – Kirk Millar
LINFIELD: David Walsh (GK), Ethan McGee, Matthew Orr, Ben Hall, Euan East, Chris Shields, Jamie Mulgrew © (Josh Archer 72’), Kirk Millar (Cameron Ballantyne 87’), Joel Cooper (Kieran Offord 72’), Callumn Morrison (Chris McKee 67’), Matthew Fitzpatrick (Robbie McDaid 87’)
Unused: Chris Johns (GK), Scot Whiteside
GLENTORAN: Daniel Gyollai (GK), Kodi Lyons-Foster, Frankie Hvid, Marcus Kane ©, Danny Amos (Aaron Wightman 77’), Fuad Sule (Finlay Thorndike 85’), Joe Thomson, Charlie Lindsay (James Douglas 45’), Dylan Connolly, David Fisher, Jordan Jenkins
Unused: Andrew Mills (GK), Shane McEleney, Wassim Aouachria
Written by Jamie Megarry