Linfield progressed in the Clearer Water Irish Cup with a narrow 1-0 victory over Bangor at Windsor Park this afternoon, with Isaac Baird’s header the difference between the teams in the fifth round clash.
It was something of a rematch, given that the two teams had also met at Windsor Park a week prior. That was a League fixture which the Blues won emphatically by six goals to one, but this time around it was a much more competitive and – for Linfield – an edgy affair.
David Healy was forced into a change to his line-up as Chris McKee – who scored twice against Bangor last week – was unavailable due to illness, and was replaced in the team by Isaac Baird. Linfield Academy graduate Josh Archer made his 100th appearance for the Blues.
Last week, the Blues were 2-0 up within twenty minutes which gave Bangor a mountain to climb, but Lee Feeney’s men clearly took lessons from it as they kept things tight at the back from the off, getting numbers behind the ball in an attempt to frustrate the Blues, whilst also having a threat on the break, mostly from striker Michael Morgan.
The Seasiders did a good job at frustrating the Blues for most of the first half, but it may have been a different story had Matt Yates taken full advantage of a good chance in the third minute as he headed wide from 12 yards following Dane McCullough’s pinpoint cross from the left. Later, McCullough delivered another good cross after East surged out from the back to try and unlock a stubborn backline, but McCullough’s cross was headed wide by Charlie Allen.
Moments after Linfield’s first shot on target when Fitzpatrick drew a good save from Gareth Deane at a tight angle, the Blues then found a breakthrough goal two minutes before the break as Dane McCullough took a short corner and, after passes from Charlie Allen and Josh Archer, defender McCullough was teed up to whip in another great cross to the front post where Isaac Baird produced a good finish with a glancing header across the ‘keeper and into the far corner from his second Linfield goal.
However, on the stroke of half-time, Bangor were unhappy not to have been awarded a penalty for what they believed to have been a handball offence by Ethan McGee when he stepped in to make an interception to a bouncing ball just inside the Blues’ box. It led to a promising Linfield break which ultimately ended with McGee seeing his shot blocked at the edge of Bangor’s box.
HT: LINFIELD 1-0 BANGOR
David Healy would have hoped to see his Linfield team kick on after taking the lead late in the first half, but such effect did not materialise and it turned into a bit of a slog.
Early in the second half, Charlie Allen’s left-footed cross from the right was met by Matthew Fitzpatrick whose glancing header was saved fairly comfortably by Gareth Deane, who didn’t have a busy afternoon in the Bangor goal.
Bangor talisman Ben Arthurs was a surprise substitute, but he was introduced on 58 minutes and will be disappointed not to have equalised for the one-time (1993) Irish Cup winners. The Blues were dominating the ball and pushing players forward before Callumn Morrison got tackled, the ball was turned over and a quick ball over the top sent Arthurs in the clear, and he was onside as he was just inside his own half when the ball was played by Tiarnan Mulvenna. However, Arthurs’ first touch was heavy and it allowed Chris Johns to pounce.
Fast-forward another 11 minutes to the 79th and Kircubbin man Arthurs passed up another big chance for a Bangor equaliser. The forward was picked out inside the box by Tiarnan Mulvenna’s pinpoint cross from the right, but his header went wide of the goal.
The Seasiders sensed blood from an edgy Linfield and Chris Johns’ attempted clearance being blocked by Ben Cushnie didn’t help the nerves of the Linfield faithful, but fortunately, the ‘keeper was first to react to the loose ball.
Lee Feeney threw bodies forward late on, firstly with a long throw from Reece Neale which ended with Harry Lynch’s 20-yard shot being saved after a couple of duels, and then in the third of four additional minutes Bangor forced a corner and sent up former Blues ‘keeper Gareth Deane, however the Blues defended it well. An opportunity to counter looked on the cards, but the Blues got it wrong which summed up a below-par performance, and it resulted in a Bangor free-kick for offside.
Despite frustrations over the level of performance, the Blues achieved their goal of progressing into the next round and that is what knockout competitions are all about. The Blues dream of winning the prestigious trophy for the 45th time and for the first time since 2021, and the draw on Saturday evening handed David Healy’s men an away trip against Limavady United in the sixth round. The match is currently scheduled for Saturday 7 February and will be played at Coleraine Showgrounds due to Limavady’s ground being unavailable until March as they install an artificial surface.
The Blues now face an important week with important League matches against Carrick Rangers (away – Tuesday) and Larne (home – Friday) as they look to claw back ground on leaders Larne.
FT: LINFIELD 1-0 BANGOR
Linfieldfc.com Man of the Match: Kyle McClean
LINFIELD: Chris Johns (GK), Sean Brown (Ben Hall 65’), Ethan McGee, Euan East, Dane McCullough, Josh Archer, Isaac Baird (Jamie Mulgrew 65’), Kyle McClean (c), Charlie Allen (Sam Taylor 77’), Matt Yates (Callumn Morrison 65’), Matthew Fitzpatrick
Unused subs: David Walsh (GK), Alex Gorrin, Cammy Ballantyne
BANGOR: Gareth Deane (GK), Harry Lynch, Lewis Francis, Reece Neale, Stephen McGuinness (Robert Garrett 80’), Lewis Harrison ©, Stephen Fallon (Ben Cushnie 58’), Jack O’Mahoney (Alfie Mitchell 45’), Tiarnan Mulvenna, Michael Morgan (Liam Burns 80’), Jay Boyd (Ben Arthurs 58’)
Unused subs: Patrick Solis Grogan (GK), Kyle Owens
Referee: Christopher Morrison
Yellow cards: Isaac Baird, Euan East (Linfield), Stephen McGuinness & Robert Garrett (Bangor)
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