Linfield’s 12-match unbeaten run in the Sports Direct Premiership came to a frustrating end this afternoon as the Blues were beaten 2-0 by Coleraine at Windsor Park.
Coleraine defended well, frustrated the Blues and never let them get into their rhythm, working hard to force the Linfield midfield backwards when they were on the ball in the middle third. Dean Shiels’ men executed their gameplan to great effect.
The Blues were without striker Matthew Fitzpatrick who missed out through a one-match suspension as a result of picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in last week’s 1-0 home win over Loughgall, and his presence in attack was missed. Joel Cooper returned from a three-match suspension to take Fitzpatrick’s place, and Euan East returned from injury, but Sam Roscoe wasn’t fit for selection after pulling early on in last week’s win.
There was very little action that was noteworthy in the opening twenty minutes. Coleraine then took the lead in the 22nd minute which gave the Bannsiders something to hold. It was a well-worked opening goal as Scottish winger Connor Murray got the ball in a central area with some space before playing a quick one-two with Kyle Spence, then Murray found the corner with a left-footed shot low across the ‘keeper.
The Blues had a couple of opening as they searched for an equaliser, the best of which came for Joel Cooper who was found in space inside the box by Callumn Morrison, but the returning attacker curled a shot over the bar from a good position. A while later, Ethan McGee met Kyle McClean’s deep corner delivery at the back post, but his header across goal was just beyond the reach of Ben Hall in the middle.
Linfield only really got going in the last five minutes or so of the first half. Coleraine momentarily paused at one point thinking the ball had gone out of play, but Ethan McGee continued and it led to Joel Cooper bundling his way through the box before drawing a good save by goalkeeper Rory Brown at his near post. It was a strong strike from a tight angle.
Cooper was then annoyed not to have been awarded a penalty on the stroke of half-time when he appeared to nick the ball ahead of Coleraine’s Kyle Spence inside the box, feeling that the opposition winger had clipped him when he took a swing at it, but the referee was unmoved by the claim. The Bannsiders were relieved to hear the whistle at a time when the Blues appeared to be finding their rhythm.
HT: Linfield 0-1 Coleraine
Following a change of referee at half-time – Shane Andrews replacing Chris Morrison in the middle – the second-half got underway with Coleraine coming out of the blocks quickly, forcing two corners in quick succession. Ronan Doherty went close after the first, as the ball came back out to him and his cross was deflected into the side netting.
The Bannsiders were then a whisker away from doubling their lead ten minutes after the break as a deep free-kick from the left was punted into the box by Jamie Glackin and met at the back post by Kyle Spence was unlucky to see his volley hammer back off the upright.
The Blues threatened on 59 minutes when Euan East won a free-kick 20 yards from goal and it was struck by Kyle McClean but well held by the goalkeeper on his side of the wall. However, with the Blues struggling to create good opportunities, David Healy turned to his bench a minute later, on the hour-mark, with Jamie Mulgrew and Charlie Allen replacing Chris Shields and Chris McKee.
Coleraine then doubled their lead on 67 minutes. Kieran Offord’s loose touch following a Coleraine corner meant he was unable to clear, instead setting up a 50-50 challenge with Coleraine winger Connor Murray who came out on top before hitting a 20-yard strike which swerved past David Walsh.
Rhys Annett replaced Ethan McGee as the Blues threw bodies forward but, despite dominating possession and having Coleraine forced back, the struggle to create good opportunities continued.
The only time Coleraine were almost breached was in the closing minutes of the 90 as Callumn Morrison cut in from the left and hit a shot which deflected off the heel of Kieran Offord, but Coleraine ‘keeper Brown did brilliantly to readjust himself to make a reflex save.
A disappointing performance and result from a Linfield perspective, with the only silver lining being that results elsewhere mean the Blues remain 19 points clear of second place, which is Glentoran who have two matches in hand.
The Blues have no match next week due to it being Irish Cup weekend, so full focus now turns to the trip to Seaview to face Crusaders on Friday 7 March, when David Healy will want a response from his team.
FT: Linfield 0-2 Coleraine