Linfield made it three wins from three matches in the Sports Direct Premiership with a 3-0 win over Glenavon at a wet and windy Mourneview Park this evening.
With an unchanged team for the third consecutive match, a clinical first-half display from David Healy’s men dispelled Glenavon in the battle of the blues. Linfield made a fast start to the match, taking the lead after just 96 seconds. Matthew Fitzpatrick pounced upon a loose ball in a central area and he slid through the advanced Joel Cooper who took the ball into the box before firing it into the bottom right corner of the net.
To Glenavon’s credit, they offered a positive response to the early setback. James Doona fired wide from 20 yards after a knock-down from Michael O’Connor, then in the tenth minute Glenavon had a penalty appeal rejected by the referee when Peter Campbell went down just inside the box.
Linfield then doubled their lead in the 19th minute when Joel Cooper broke from wide left into the box with quick feet before arrowing in a low cross which was perfect for opposite winger Kirk Millar to come onto at the back post and side-foot an emphatic first-time finish back across goal in the top corner.
Five minutes later Glenavon appealed for a penalty for a second time, this time for a handball when the ball was hit off Scot Whiteside at close range, however it was one he couldn’t do anything about and the referee waved the appeals away.
The Blues then added a third goal ten minutes before half-time. It was a well-worked goal. Chris Shields retrieved the ball after a Linfield free-kick into the box initially didn’t amount of anything. The midfield general played a great ball over the top to Chris McKee in space and the striker then teed up Euan East who was denied by a good save by Gareth Deane before Joel Cooper provided a good finish, volleying the ball down into the ground and into the corner of the net for his second of the night and his third of the season.
HT: Glenavon 0-3 Linfield
The second half was largely a case of game management for Linfield to preserve their lead and their clean sheet. Glenavon introduced new signings, midfielder Keith Ward and defender Barney McKeown at half-time and probably looked a bit better for it. The two combined on the hour-mark was McKeown headed Ward’s corner onto the roof of the net – it was a decent effort.
Back up the other end, Joel Cooper had a good chance to complete his hat-trick early in the second half. A neat Linfield move down the left saw Fitzpatrick backheel the ball into the once-again excellent Euan East, bombing down the left from his new role at left-back, and he pulled the ball across for Cooper who fired over from in around the penalty spot.
David Healy freshened things up with half-an-hour remaining as Cammy Ballantyne and Charlie Allen replaced Kyle McClean and Chris McKee. Like Saturday past against Dungannon Swifts, it was another impressive sub appearance by former Leeds United youngster Allen who was unlucky not to score a couple of times.
Glenavon introduced 15-year-old Christopher Atherton into the action with 15 minutes remaining. The young winger became the youngest player ever in the United Kingdom when Gary Hamilton handed him a senior Glenavon debut against Dollingstown two yeas ago aged 13 years and 329 days. He showed why he’s highly-rated with a quick dart down the wing, step-over and a troublesome cross which Chris Johns couldn’t hold. Chris Shields preserved Linfield’s clean sheet with a goal-saving challenge.
David Healy will be pleased with the outcome at a venue where his team dropped points towards the end of the season. Although it’s very early days, the Blues currently sit on top of the table, ahead of Cliftonville on goal difference. The Blues were without Ben Hall, Jamie Mulgrew, Stephen Fallon, Robbie McDaid and Ethan Devine tonight, but David Healy is hopeful of having one or two back available in the next week or two.
Focus now switches to a home match against Loughgall this Saturday as the Blues aim to continue their positive start to the season.
FT: Glenavon 0-3 Linfield
Written by Jamie Megarry
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