Glentoran took the ‘Big Two’ bragging rights from the annual Boxing Day derby this afternoon, with Joe Thomson’s first-half strike enough to ensure the Glens would win at Windsor Park on Boxing Day for the first time in history. It’s also the first time the Glens have won a League game at Windsor Park in December since 1939.
Nobody could argue the outcome – Glentoran were worthy victors this afternoon. The Blues struggled to work the opposition goalkeeper and were haunted by former players Cameron Palmer and Jordan Stewart who starred in the Glens’ midfield. Only for a stellar performance from Linfield goalkeeper Chris Johns, it would have been a bigger margin of victory.
It certainly wasn’t the reaction David Healy or the Linfield supporters were hoping for after losing away to bottom-of-the-league Glenavon at Mourneview Park last week. What’s also disappointing is that this was a real missed opportunity for the Blues to impress the large home support, with around 8,500 Blues fans in attendance – many of whom were likely attending their first match. Sadly, they were not given much to shout about, and therefore a missed opportunity in terms of getting new fans engaged.
There was one change from the Linfield team that lost 2-1 to Glenavon last week, as Sean Brown came into the team in place of Sam Roscoe who was unavailable.
A minute’s silence was observed prior to kick-off in memory of former Glentoran and Linfield Academy player Callum McVeigh, who tragically passed away on Christmas eve. There was also a minute’s applause on all sides of the ground in the 23rd minute in memory of 23-year-old Callum who represented Portadown, Ards, Knockbreda and most recently Killyleagh YC in senior football.
After a competitive start, it took twenty minutes before the game’s first chance, but it was a great opportunity and one Glentoran striker Pat Hoban will feel he should have made more of as he headed over from close range after good play by Jordan Stewart on the left.
The Blues then had a big chance a few minutes later. Fitzpatrick led a dangerous counter-attack before being chopped down on the edge of Glentoran’s box by Marcus Kane. Kirk Millar hit the free-kick that was awarded and although it looked like a shot, the ball trickled through to Matthew Fitzpatrick who looked sure to score at close range, but his shot on the turn was crucially blocked.
Then, a few minutes later at the other end, Jenkins led a Glentoran counter-attack. The attacker’s low cross wasn’t fully cleared by the Blues’ defence and the ball dropped kindly for Glentoran midfielder Joe Thomson whose 20-yard volley was brilliantly saved by Chris Johns down low to his right.
However, the Scottish midfielder would go on to find the net two minutes later – the 29th minute of the match. A quick combination of passes saw Thomson released into space and he unleashed a fierce strike into the top corner from 20 yards. It was going to take something special to beat Chris Johns this afternoon.
Other than a couple of long throws from Ethan McGee into the box, the Blues weren’t able to muster up much of a response prior to the break.
HT: LINFIELD 0-1 GLENTORAN
After a below-par first half, David Healy made an attacking change at the break with Isaac Baird replaced by Chris McKee in an attempt to make the Blues more of an attacking force.
The Blues would have wanted to start the second half with an intent, and to get the home crowd lifted, but the team were unable to do so, and ten minutes into the second half it took two great saves from Chris Johns in quick succession to keep the Blues in it.
Firstly, Pat Hoban sent Glentoran attacker Jordan Jenkins through on goal, but Johns came out on top with a save. Then, a short time later, Hoban had a chance when he was all alone at close range, but Johns did brilliantly again to push the former Dundalk striker’s diving header around the post.
Fitzpatrick drew a save from the Glentoran goalkeeper with a headed effort from McCullough’s cross from the left, although it was comfortably saved as the striker needed to generate a lot of power. It was the Blues’ only effort on goal in the second half. They never really looked like scoring when they did reach the final third occasionally.
With ten minutes remaining, Ethan McGee was forced off through injury following a committed challenge. The Blues now look stretched in the centre of defence ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Coleraine, but David Healy will have to find a solution as the Blues are currently 13 points off leaders Larne, albeit with a game in hand. The champions face an uphill task at present but will look to bounce back and end the year on a high when they make the trip to The Showgrounds for Tuesday’s match. An improved performance is a must, as this toothless display left David Healy asking his players for more hunger.
FT: LINFIELD 0-1 GLENTORAN
LINFIELD: Chris Johns (GK), Sean Brown (Sam Taylor 73’), Ben Hall, Dane McCullough, Ethan McGee (Matt Yates 80’), Jamie Mulgrew © (Alex Gorrin 73’), Icaac Baird (Chris McKee 45’), Kyle McClean, Kirk Millar (Charlie Allen 68’), Callumn Morrison, Matthew Fitzpatrick
Unused subs: David Walsh (GK), Josh Archer
GLENTORAN: Andrew Mills (GK), Ryan Cooney, MJ Kamson-Kamara, Marcus Kane ©, James Singleton, Joe Thomson, Cameron Palmer, Liam Burt (Danny Amos 73’), Jordan Stewart (Jonny Russell 85’), Jordan Jenkins, Pat Hoban
Unused subs: Billy Crellin (GK), Daniel Larmour, James Douglas, Christie Pattisson, Nathaniel Ferris
Referee: Tony Clarke
Yellow cards: Marcus Kane, MJ Kamson Kamara (Glentoran), Kyle McClean, Jamie Mulgrew, Ethan McGee, Alex Gorrin