For the second time within a few days, Linfield made a fruitful visit to Mid Ulster tonight, and once again Richhill-native Isaac Baird was massively influential as the Blues recorded a 4-1 victory over Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park to extend their unbeaten League run to eight matches.
It’s a third successive convincing victory for a Linfield team who have upped the gears and shown collective grit since their nightmare Irish Cup shock defeat to Championship leaders Limavady two weeks ago.
Coming off the back of Saturday’s 3-0 win over Glenavon at Mourneview Park, Blues boss David Healy made one enforced change to his starting eleven as Sean Brown came into the team in place of Euan East who was unavailable after appearing to pick up a knock in the latter stages of Saturday’s match in Lurgan.
This match was initially meant to be played back in November but was postponed as a result of Isaac Baird’s International call-up for Tommy Wright’s Northern Ireland under-21 side. Given his influence on this match with two goals and an assist, it worked out well that the Blues had Baird available.
The Blues will have anticipated a response from Irish Cup holders Dungannon whom they’d beaten 6-0 at Windsor Park just a week prior. Perhaps that is why the champions made such a fast start and took an early lead after just five minutes in County Tyrone. Isaac Baird was very much instrumental in the opening goal as he nipped in to dispossess Swifts’ midfielder Paul Doyle who’d been hounded by Josh Archer. Baird surged forward, down the left and, with the help of a deflection, squared the ball across to the front post area where Matthew Fitzpatrick gratefully fired the ball past the ‘keeper for his sixth goal in three matches and his 19th goal of the season in all competitions.
But just as the Blues were feeling good and hoping to push on, the home team responded with an equaliser within three minutes of going behind. From a defensive point-of-view it’s not a goal that Linfield will want to see back, as a hopeful ball hooked on from Adam Glenny managed to get past defensive duo Ethan McGee and Darragh Leahy too easily. Former Newcastle United midfielder Gael Bigirimana had gambled with a run in behind and was rewarded as he pounced for squeeze the ball inside the far post from close range.
Linfield rallied again and were unlucky not to retake the lead on a few separate occasions before half-time. Matthew Fitzpatrick was unfortunate not to score a second goal when, in the 16th minute, he seized upon a loose pass on the halfway line before carrying the ball forward and hitting a low strike sweetly from 25 yards, only to see it come back off the base of the post when the ‘keeper was beaten.
Minutes later, Dungannon went close when Darragh Leahy’s attempts at shepherding the ball out of play were scuppered by the persistent forward Kobei Moore who won the ball and squared it for Kealan Dillon whose close-range effort was well kept out by Chris Johns at his near post.
Then, on 22 minutes, a glorious Kirk Millar free-kick delivery was headed in brilliantly by Matthew Fitzpatrick, but the goal didn’t count as the forward was offside. The linesman had his flag up promptly and there weren’t many challenging the decision.
The Blues battered on the door midway through the first half in search of a second, with three chances in a short space of time. The once-again excellent and energetic Sam Taylor did well to find Matthew Fitzpatrick in the middle, but he was denied by Danny Wallace’s goal-saving block. Dungannon couldn’t clear and Taylor nipped in again, finding Archer this time but his effort was kept out before Ben Hall hit a pilvedriver so sweetly from 30 yards, but the ‘keeper was able to palm it out and then claim at the second attempt.
The unfortunate Fitzpatrick then hit the woodwork for a second time nine minutes before the break. Home defender Danny Wallace’s back header lacked purchase, allowing the striker to get in down the right side and he rifled a powerful effort at goal from a tight angle, but the ‘keeper Declan Dunne made a terrific save to push it onto the post.
Yet, whilst the Blues were on top in the first half, the hosts remained a threat on the break and they almost took the lead in stoppage time against the run of play through a quick counter-attack as Kobei Moore’s through ball put Kealan Dillon through on goal, but Chris Johns came out on top with an excellent save on his 250th Linfield appearance. The ball then bounced off the midfielder and luckily for Linfield, went wide of the post.
Dungannon had been forced into a change a few minutes before the break when central defender Caolan Marron picked up an injury. Goal scorer Gael Bigirimana dropped back into the centre of defence beside Danny Wallace, with Shea Gordon coming on in midfield.
HT: DUNGANNON SWIFTS 1-1 LINFIELD
David Healy likely asked him team for more of the same in the second half when they got in at the break, as they were creating chances and unfortunate not to be ahead.
The Blues came out strong and retook the lead ten minutes into the second half. Linfield piled players into the box for the prospect of an Ethan McGee long throw, but the hosts were caught by surprise as Darragh Leahy came short to take the ball to feet and deliver a cross. Matthew Fitzpatrick then had an effort blocked before Ben Hall helped the ball on, then Isaac Baird was on hand to sweep in a left-footed shot from seven yards.
A short time later, Josh Archer got to the ball before Leo Alves and was subsequently fouled which led to a Linfield free-kick right on the edge of the box in a central area. Kirk Millar – who was a wonderful record of scoring at Stangmore Park – took it on with a low shot on the ‘keeper’s side of the wall, but it wasn’t to be on this occasion as the goalkeeper got down low to his right to push the effort around the post.
The champions then made it 3-1 on 74 minutes when a Sam Taylor corner was touched on a few times before Man of the Match, Isaac Baird pounced again to volley in from close range for his second goal of the night and his sixth goal of the season in all competitions.
Then, with five minutes remaining, Kyle McClean capped off a pleasing night for David Healy’s side as the midfielder added a fourth goal, seizing upon a risky pass from Adam Glenny which was intended for Danny Wallace, before surging clear and putting his laces through the ball to rifle a ruthless finish beyond the ‘keeper from 15 yards.
Whilst it was a pleasing night for the Blues, it was not so pleasing for the hosts whose night went from bad to worse in stoppage time when they were reduced to ten men following Mal Smith’s challenge on Matt Yates who was deemed to be going through on goal.
Dungannon had won five of their last six home matches in all competitions, but Stangmore Park continues to be a happy hunting ground for the Blues whose win was their 17th on the trot at Stangmore Park – a run which started back in 2014. The Blues have won their last seven matches against the Swifts.
This result sets up Saturday evening’s ‘Big Two’ derby between Linfield and Glentoran at Windsor Park very nicely. The Blues were deemed to be dead and buried in the title race, but recent results mean they could get themselves right back in the mix if they can carry on their strong performances and league form, with challengers Glentoran and Larne to come in the next seven days. Certainly, the picture looks much brighter for the Blues than it did eleven days ago.
FT: DUNGANNON SWIFTS 1-4 LINFIELD
DUNGANNON SWIFTS: Declan Dunne (GK), Steven Scott, Caolan Marron (Shea Gordon 44’), Danny Wallace, Adam Glenny, Paul Doyle (James Knowles 82’), Gael Bigirimana ©, Kealan Dillon (Andrew Mitchell 64’), Leo Alves (Mal Smith 82’), Sean McAllister, Kobei Moore
Unused subs: Alex Henderson (GK), Jack Johnston, Eoghan Liggett
LINFIELD: Chris Johns (GK), Sean Brown, Ben Hall, Darragh Leahy, Ethan McGee, Josh Archer, Isaac Baird (Alex Gorrin 90’), Kyle McClean ©, Kirk Millar (Adam Frizzell 88’), Sam Taylor, Matthew Fitzpatrick (Matt Yates 88’)
Unused subs: David Walsh (GK), Scot Whiteside, Charlie Allen, Chris McKee
REFEREE: Tim Marshall
Yellow cards: Adam Glenny, Paul Doyle (Dungannon Swifts), Ben Hall (Linfield)
Red card: Malachy Smith (Dungannon Swifts) 90+3’