Linfield’s ten-match unbeaten run in the Sports Direct Premiership came to an end this afternoon as the Blues suffered a 2-0 defeat to Cliftonville at Solitude.
It’s a big blow for the Blues’ title hopes as they now trail leaders Larne by eight points with just seven matchdays remaining. An upturn of performances and results in February saw the Blues reduce that gap from 16 points down to five points, but a drop-off in performance levels in north Belfast this afternoon proved costly.
David Healy made one change from the team that drew 1-1 away to Larne on Tuesday evening, with Isaac Baird available again after illness, as he replaced Sean Brown in the starting eleven. Ethan McGee reverted to right back as he made his 100th appearance in Linfield colours.
The first half was a very tame affair, although both teams threatened within just over a minute. Linfield were first to have an opportunity as Matthew Fitzpatrick headed the ball on to Isaac Baird who, thanks to a defensive slip, was able to get a shot off from a promising position, but he didn’t connect as cleanly as he’d wished to, which allowed Shaun Leppard to make a block.
Cliftonville then raced away on a counter-attack through Brian Healy who did well to engineer room for a shot from 20 yards which was saved by Chris Johns.
A minute later, the Blues got in down the left through Euan East who squared the ball for Josh Archer in a promising position, but his effort was crucially blocked by home defender Jonny Addis.
The best chance of the half saw Sam Taylor pick out Matthew Fitzpatrick at the back post with a deep cross from the left. The striker had time to let the ball drop before hitting a volley which looked to have the ‘keeper beaten, only for Adebayo Fapetu to clear the ball off the face of goal.
Kirk Millar and Ben Hall also had chances for the Blues. Millar curled an effort wide from the edge of the box, before turning provider as his free-kick delivery found Ben Hall peeling off to the back post, but the defender volleyed wide with his weaker left foot.
In the closing stages of the first half, Kirk Millar nipped in between a hesitant Cliftonville defender and goalkeeper to steal the ball. With the angle against him, he turned and crossed in search of Matthew Fitzpatrick, but home defender Shaun Leppard rose to head the ball clear.
But while the Blues had the better of the first half, it all felt a bit flat, both on and off the pitch. The Blues lacked inspiration in attack.
HT: CLIFTONVILLE 0-0 LINFIELD
David Healy made a change at the break as Adam Frizzell came on in place of Sam Taylor.
Early in the second half, a brilliant cross from Kirk Millar caused the home side problems. Matthew Fitzpatrick couldn’t quite get his head on it, and it deflected off a home defender but, following a scramble, the reds got the ball clear.
Minutes later, Darragh Leahy delivered a tantalising cross from the left, which Matthew Fitzpatrick was a matter of inches away from getting a telling touch to in the middle.
Chris Johns was forced into a brilliant save at the other end midway through the second half to deny former teammate Liam McStravick. The young attacker cut inside from the left and unleashed a 25-yard effort that looked destined for the top corner, and Johns had to be at his best to claw it out.
However, the Reds took the lead from the resultant corner. It was swung in by Michael Glynn and defender Shaun Leppard got in front of Isaac Baird to head in from six yards.
That gave the Blues an uphill task. David Healy reacted immediately with a double change; Mulgrew and Yates on for Archer and Baird. Ten minutes later, a further change saw Chris McKee replace Kyle McClean.
McKee forced the home goalkeeper into a rare save ten minutes from time with a well-struck left-footed strike from 20 yards, with the Scottish ‘keeper diving to his left to beat it away.
In the 84th minute, Kirk Millar latched onto a loose ball inside the box but his volley was crucially blocked by defender Luke Conlon, whose intervention was goal-saving.
Four additional minutes of injury time were signalled, and the Blues were a whisker away from equalising in the 93rd minute when Matt Yates’ tantalising low cross somehow went through untouched before flashing just beyond the far post. Chris McKee threw himself at it but couldn’t turn it in.
Then, with the last kick, Cliftonville talisman Joe Gormley secured the points for the home team as the substitute threw himself at a low shot from Curran than struck the post and then deflected in off the hand of the Reds’ all-time leading goalscorer.
Linfield’s title hopes look very slim once again, but they must ensure they bounce back in their next match which is a home League match against Portadown on Tuesday 10 March and then take it from there.
FT: CLIFTONVILLE 2-0 LINFIELD
CLIFTONVILLE: PJ Morrison (GK), Shaun Leppard, Jonny Addis, Luke Conlan, Joseph Toole, Michael Glynn (Ryan Curran 86’), Josh Kelly, Adebayo Fapetu (Joe Sheridan 66’), Liam McStravick (Sean Robertson 75’), Brian Healy (Joe Gormley 86’)
Unused subs: Lewis Ridd (GK), Conor Pepper, Adam Carroll
LINFIELD: Chris Johns (GK), Ethan McGee, Ben Hall, Darragh Leahy, Euan East, Josh Archer (Matt Yates 65’), Kyle McClean © (Chris McKee 75’), Isaac Baird (Jamie Mulgrew 65’), Sam Taylor, Kirk Millar, Matthew Fitzpatrick
Unused subs: David Walsh (GK), Sean Brown, Dane McCullough
Referee: Ben McMaster
Yellow cards: Adebayo Fapetu, Josh Kelly (Cliftonville), Jamie Mulgrew, Ethan McGee (Linfield)