A first-half header from Isaac Baird was enough for Linfield to overcome Ballymena United at Windsor Park last night and book the Blues’ place in the final of the Bet McLean Cup for the third time in four years.
Having won it against Coleraine in 2023 and Portadown in 2024, the Blues are hoping to win the competition for the 37th time, but will have to wait for the outcome of next Tuesday’s semi-final between Glentoran and Coleraine to find out who their opponents will be in the decider at Windsor Park on Sunday 15 March. There hasn’t been a ‘Big Two’ cup final since the Co. Antrim Shield in 2010, though there’s been 11 cup ties between the two rivals since then!
For Linfield, the Bet McLean Cup (formerly the League Cup) perhaps bears extra importance this season, given the Blues are well adrift of League leaders Larne, and considering the fact that the winner of the competition is guaranteed to be in the final of the European play-offs in May, a new incentive brought in this season.
Last night’s match was of course originally scheduled for Tuesday, but ‘Storm Chandra’ and the concomitant yellow weather warning saw the match put back 24 hours which perhaps hindered crowd numbers.
Linfield started the match brightly and on the front foot. It was a dominant first half from the Blues, with Fitzpatrick first to threaten the visitors’ goal after ten minutes when he was found by Matt Yates’ neat pass but, after spotting United ‘keeper Bradley Wade off his line, Fitzpatrick’s lob from 25 yards flashed wide of the post.
Then, two minutes later, the Blues took the lead in the twelfth minute with what would prove to be the match winner. Linfield’s Mid Ulster contingent were heavily involved as good play from the impressive Ethan McGee won the Blues a corner which was delivered by Dane McCullough to the front post area where midfielder Isaac Baird got across his man to head the ball across the ‘keeper and into the net, just as he did against Bangor in the Irish Cup earlier this month. The Richhill-native also scored against Newry in the last round – he’s now got three goals this season.
A short time later, the lively Baird almost added another as he played a one-two with Kyle McClean inside the box before drawing a save from the goalkeeper at his near post. Former Glenavon midfielder Baird appeared to be clipped when he started his run inside the box, so had he not been so honest, the referee may have had a decision to make. Nonetheless, his saved effort led to a corner which was delivered by McClean and it caused Ballymena United all sorts of problems after the ‘keeper flapped at it, and they eventually survived a goalmouth scramble after Fitzpatrick and Leahy had efforts at close range.
Although they were under the cosh for the majority of the first-half, Ballymena did have one big opportunity when striker Success Edogun robbed Darraghy Leahy of possession then beat Ben Hall for pace to go through on goal, but Chris Johns perfectly timed his moment to pounce, nipping in as the striker took a heavy touch just inside the Linfield box as he bravely slid in ahead of the attacker to clutch the ball.
The Blues were unable to add to their lead despite their dominance. A number of good crosses weren’t taken advantage of – for example when Dane McCullough fizzed one right across the six-yard box which Yates couldn’t get on the end of. Yates then put in a dangerous cross to the back post in search of Kyle McClean, but teenage Ballymena midfielder James Hood did brilliantly to track him all the way and get a vital challenge in, in front of goal.
Fitzpatrick had a good effort on the bicycle kick which wasn’t far over the crossbar following Ethan McGee’s cross to the front post but, much like Saturday, the Blues will have entered the break with a hint of frustration on their minds due to the fact they weren’t able to provide that cutting edge to bring rewards for a lot of positive build-up play. On the balance of play, the Blues probably should have had a three-goal lead at the break.
HT: LINFIELD 1-0 BALLYMENA UNITED
The Blues’ second half display wasn’t as good as their first half display, but they still went close twice early in the second half. Firstly, two minutes after the break, Ethan McGee’s cross from the right found Matt Yates lurking around the back post and he flicked the ball over a defender’s head before seeing his volley from close range beaten away by the goalkeeper.
Then, on 55 minutes, a quick throw from Kyle McClean caught United right-back David Toure off guard, and he released Matt Yates who cut inside before his curling effort from 20 yards was acrobatically tipped over by the United’s former Waterford ‘keeper who signed for the Sky Blues last week.
Ballymena United’s new manager Oran Kearney had turned to his bench at half-time, replacing young duo James Hood and Zach Nolan with experienced former Glentoran duo Sean Murray and Daire O’Connor. The move brought a bit more threat to the Sky Blues. On 76 minutes, O’Connor got down the right flank to cross and, although it was headed out by Ethan McGee, it fell kindly for United midfielder Kian Corbally whose left-footed volley from 15 yards flashed just wide of the upright.
A short time later, the visitors – who last won the League Cup in 2017 under David Jeffrey’s management – had a promising breakaway, 3v2 in their favour, but ultimately, striker Success Edogun’s cross/shot was caught by Chris Johns.
With 20 minutes remaining, Scottish attacker Adam Frizzell came off Linfield’s bench to make his home debut. Also introduced as part of a double substitution was Kirk Millar, and the winger was unlucky in the 77th minute as he hit a curling strike sweetly from the left, only to see it flash just over the crossbar.
Ballymena mounted something of a late flurry and it looked for all the world that they were sure to score an equaliser in the first of three additional minutes as striker Success Edogun went through on goal, but Linfield defender Dane McCullough managed to nip in and make a top class sliding challenge to prevent a goal, booking the Blues’ place in the final and ensuring the faithful supporters didn’t have to endure at least another half-an-hour of the cold on a nippy January evening. It also means the Blues have recorded five consecutive clean sheets.
Going forward, the challenge is for the Blues to find a killer instinct to make the most of their dominant spells with more goals.
Now, it’s a quick turnaround as the Blues host Ballymena United again just 65 hours after the final whistle, only this time it’s a League fixture. David Healy’s men will have to be on their guard for a reaction from the Sky Blues on Saturday afternoon, as was the case when they hosted Bangor back-to-back earlier this month.
FT: LINFIELD 1-0 BALLYMENA UNITED
LINFIELD: Chris Johns (GK), Ethan McGee, Ben Hall, Darragh Leahy, Dane McCullough, Josh Archer, Isaac Baird (Jamie Mulgrew 77’), Kyle McClean ©, Charlie Allen (Kirk Millar 70’), Matt Yates (Adam Frizzell 70’), Matthew Fitzpatrick
Unused subs: David Walsh (GK), Sean Brown, Cameron Ballantyne, Sam Taylor
BALLYMENA UNITED: Bradley Wade (GK), David Toure, Daithi McCallion, Matthew Clarke (c), Zach Nolan (Daire O’Connor 45’), James Hood (Sean Murray 45’), Joel Thompson (Daniel Lafferty 69’), Patrick McEleney (Dylan McGeough 69’), Kian Corbally, Dean Ebbe, Success Edogun
Unused subs: Declan Breen (GK), Stephen O’Donnell, Aaron Jarvis
Referee: Shane Andrews