It was another story of a much-changed, youthful Linfield team going down to a full-strength title competitor this afternoon as Coleraine ran out 3-0 winners at Windsor Park – a result which sees the Bannsiders leapfrog Glentoran into second place which could prove significant in the hunt for European qualification.
Whilst Coleraine will go into the final day with a chance of winning the title, those chances are slim as they would need to defeat Glentoran and hope that Dungannon Swifts pull off a surprise victory over leaders Larne. Nonetheless, the Bannsiders were hungry this afternoon to take their title challenge to the final day.
Linfield’s predicament is different. The Blues are nailed on to finish in fourth place, therefore their focus is on the European play-off final which will be played mid-May – exact date to be determined by outcome of the Irish Cup Final between Coleraine and current holders Dungannon Swifts. Subsequently, with not much at stake, David Healy continues to rotate his squad accordingly.
Today, a senior debut was handed to 17-year-old Harry Allen who kept the ball well in central midfield. The youngster comes from a Linfield family and is the younger brother of First Team midfielder Charlie Allen. As a regular for Linfield Swifts, he has also played several matches as a right full-back.
Finlay Ross (17) and Jon Graham (19) both kept their places after making their first starts in last week’s 2-0 home defeat to Larne. Darragh Leahy, Jamie Mulgrew and Isaac Baird all returned from suspension, whilst Matthew Fitzpatrick was recalled after a much-needed break.
With the much-changed Linfield team coming up against a strong, top Irish League side, it was no great surprise that the visitors were comfortable winners. However, the Blues did make a positive start. Sam Taylor did well to earn a corner inside the first minute, and the corner fell kindly at the feet of Finlay Ross, but his low shot from 15 yards was crucially blocked in front of goal.
Nonetheless, the Bannsiders created plenty and should have scored more. Former blue, Joel Cooper will wonder how he didn’t get himself on the scoresheet. The attacker had his first big chance after six minutes when Will Patching sent him through, but his low shot was brilliantly saved by David Walsh’s outstretched right leg. Dane McCullough followed in to make a goal-saving challenge.
The referee had a decision to make in the 13th minute when the Blues had a strong appeal for a penalty as Ethan McGee appeared to be hauled back when attacking a corner delivery to the back post, but the referee saw no wrongdoing.
To add to the Blues’ frustrations, Coleraine went down the other end and scored within a minute to take the lead. Former Linfield Youth midfielder Ben Wylie took the ball down, breezed past multiple blue shirts inside the box and used the body of a defender to whip the ball into the far corner.
Lincoln City loanee Zane Okoro was dangerous for the visitors with his pace and power. It took another good save from David Walsh to deny him from doubling Coleraine’s lead as a powerful shot from a tight angle was prevented from hitting the top corner, with Walsh tipping it away.
He threatened again two minutes later, again cutting inside from the left, and this time his fierce strike was pushed over by Walsh.
The Blues then had a great chance to equalise on 28 minutes but were unable to take it. A good move down the left saw Matthew Fitzpatrick knock the ball down to Dane McCullough whose low cross picked winger Sam Taylor who was unmarked in the middle, but he fired over the bar from a good position. The Tranmere Rovers loanee had another shooting opportunity from the edge of the box a minute later, but his shot sailed wide.
Back up the other end, Coleraine striker Matthew Shevlin could and should have scored when he had the goal at his mercy when Joel Cooper squared the ball across goal, but the striker somehow fired straight at Chris Johns from a few yards out. He had a follow-up effort with a backheel, and then a third effort, but the busy David Walsh came up with the answers.
Joel Cooper had another big chance soon after, finding himself with lots of time and space on the penalty spot, but Walsh produced another good save down to his right.
Coleraine did finally get their second goal in the 42nd minute when Joel Cooper drove down the left and fired in a low cross which was converted by Matthew Shevlin at close range for his 25th goal of the season.
HT: LINFIELD 0-2 COLERAINE
Coleraine continued to look dangerous in the second half. A loose ball from Sam Taylor was picked up by Levi Ives inside the Blues’ box, but Darragh Leahy was able to rescue the situation with an important block.
Then, ten minutes into the second half, Joel Cooper once again questioned how he hadn’t scored. He was teed up at close range by Zane Okoro’s square ball, but Dane McCullough managed to make a brilliant block on the line.
The Bannsiders’ third goal then arrived on the hour-mark as Joel Cooper slipped in Zane Okoro and the young American winger produced a tidy finish through the legs of David Walsh from a tight angle.
Both teams used up all their five substitutions and the match fizzled out. Linfield goalkeeper David Walsh deservedly took the Man of the Match award for keeping the score down on a day when Coleraine’s quality showed.
The Blues have one more League fixture – home to Cliftonville at 17:30 next Saturday evening – and then the countdown will be on until the crunch European play-off final. The final would be played at Windsor Park if Coleraine were to win the Irish Cup. Otherwise, it could be away to Coleraine or Glentoran. Whether it’ll be played 14 days or 17 days after the conclusion of the League campaign will be determined by the outcome of the Irish Cup Final. Linfield’s preparation for the big play-off match is very much an ongoing situation.
FT: LINFIELD 0-3 COLERAINE
Linfieldfc.com Man of the Match: David Walsh
LINFIELD: David Walsh (GK), Sean Brown, Ethan McGee ©, Darragh Leahy, Dane McCullough, Josh Archer (Jamie Mulgrew 64’), Finlay Ross (Adam Frizzell 64’), Harry Allen (Isaac Baird 64’), Sam Taylor, Jon Graham (Kirk Millar 64’), Matthew Fitzpatrick (Robbie McDaid 79’)
Unused subs: Oliver Wade, Matt Yates
COLERAINE: Ryan Schofield (GK), Lyndon Kane ©, Mark Connolly, Charles Dunne, Levi Ives, Dylan Boyle, Will Patching (Alex Watson 65’), Ben Wylie (Senan Devine 65’), Zane Okoro, Joel Cooper (Jamie Glackin 65’ – Connor Murray 73’), Matthew Shevlin (Jamie McGonigle 65’)
Unused subs: Lewis Webb (GK), Dean Jarvis
Referee: Christopher Morrison