There is Co. Antrim Senior Shield action for Linfield tonight as they travel to North Belfast to face Cliftonville at Solitude in Round 2 of the competition. In the last round Linfield and Cliftonville defeated H&W Welders 6-1 and Crusaders 2-0 respectively, and the winners will meet Ballymena United at The Showgrounds on 11 November.
Cliftonville have endured a challenging season, slipping to 10th spot in the Sports Direct Premiership table at the weekend after visitors Larne inflicted a third straight league defeat. Manager Jim Magilton will look for a confidence building result against The Blues to help ignite their season.
Linfield come off the back of a disappointing performance, losing 0-2 at Portadown, and David Healy will demand a positive reaction from his players when they cross the line at Solitude. Games will come thick and fast so the Linfield manager may well utilise his squad, presenting an opportunity for some players to impress.
It promises to be another feisty encounter between these two old rivals with both managers expecting a tough 90 minutes under floodlight. Hopefully The Blues can bounce straight back with a match winning performance!
COYB!
By Ken Garrett.
