Linfield showed fighting spirit to stage a late comeback as two goals in two minutes saw the Blues overcome Cliftonville in yesterday evening’s televised Sports Direct Premiership clash at Windsor Park.
David Healy made two changes to the team which defeated Portadown by 3-1 at Shamrock Park last weekend; Charlie Allen and Ethan McGee coming into the eleven in place of inured duo Kirk Millar and Scot Whiteside.
Ben Hall, Jamie Mulgrew, Stephen Fallon, Darragh McBrien and Robbie McDaid were all absent again through injury.
It took the Blues ten minutes to get into their rhythm, and from then onwards they dominated the ball for the remainder of the first half. Cliftonville had two decent opportunities in the early stages – firstly, Jonathan Addis headed wide from a deep free-kick delivered by Rory Hale out the left. Soon after, a Micheal Glynn cross was only half cleared and landed for Axel Piesold on the edge of the box, but he shot wide of the goal. David Walsh was untested in the first half.
As Linfield took control, Kyle McClean was denied twice in quick succession. The midfielder was found inside the box by a Fitzpatrick flick before his shot from a tight angle was saved by the legs of Cliftonville ‘keeper David Odumosu. Then, minutes later, Odumosu went one better with a spectacular save to tip a 25-yard drive from McClean over the crossbar. It was destined for the top corner.
The referee – Ian McNabb – paused the match in the 27th minute to enable both clubs to pay tribute to former Linfield and Cliftonville defender Michael Newberry who so sadly passed away on December 30, 2024, on his 27th birthday. Along with a minute’s applause, both sets of supporters joined in chants of ‘One Michael Newberry’.
Then, after play resumed, it wasn’t a case of third time lucky for Kyle McClean who went close again. The midfielder hit a sweet strike from outside the box and was unlucky to see his effort flash agonisingly wide of the post.
As the Blues continued to search for an opener, David Odumosu continued to answer every question asked of him – this time, he denied Cooper who curled an effort at goal from the edge of the box after Cammy Ballantyne won the ball high up the pitch – another good diving save.
Linfield were awarded a controversial penalty in the 38th minute as Joel Cooper went down from a challenge by Axel Piesold who clearly felt he won the ball and committed no foul in the process. The Reds felt that justice was done as David Odumosu continued his great form to spring down to his left and push Chris Shields’ penalty kick away. At this point, the Blues must have wondered if the Reds’ goalkeeper was ever going to be breached. David Healy’s men would have been disappointed at half-time, having been so dominant in the first half but without anything to show for it at the break.
HT: Linfield 0-0 Cliftonville
The second half started slowly in terms of chances – a diving header from Euan East going over the crossbar from a pinpoint Joel Cooper cross about all that was noteworthy in the opening 15 minutes of the second half.
Cliftonville improved in the second half, growing in confidence as the match went on. Jim Magilton’s team felt hard-done-by in the 59th minute when Rory Hale’s pinpoint through ball sent Conor Pepper charging through on goal down the centre of the pitch, but the linesman’s flag went up against former Linfield player Pepper, although replays suggest he had the right to complain.
The Reds’ frustration turned to great delight in the 76th minute as they took the lead. A cross was whipped in from substitute Arran Pettifer and Cliftonville talisman Joe Gormley got half a yard to hook a right foot at it and rifle in a ruthless volley from the penalty spot. It was a quality finish from a legendary Irish League goalscorer, and a reminder that he only needs half a chance. Having been starved of service, it was typical of Gormley to pop up out of nowhere.
Gormley almost scored again a couple of minutes later when he made a run in behind, down the right side, but David Walsh made an important save at an important time, keeping the low shot out with his legs.
Linfield’s response was excellent and one of great spirit, scoring twice in two minutes. The Blues equalised in the 81st minute, just five minutes after they’d gone behind. It was a lovely goal. An attack down the right saw Joel Cooper cut inside and thread an inch-perfect pass to Kyle McClean who burst into the box into the space between Cliftonville’s right-sided centre back and wing back to drill in a low first-time shot from close range – the central midfielder’s sixth goal of the season. A case of fourth-time-lucky for the midfielder who was excellent and a worthy recipient of the Man of the Match award, which was presented by Michael Newberry’s brother Adrian.
The Blues hit the front a minute later. The decision to sub on Chris McKee paid dividends as he nicked the ball off Conor Pepper in midfield, before playing a one-two with Matthew Fitzpatrick and then threading a ball through to Fitzpatrick who continued his run to the edge of the box before a touch to set himself and then a driven shot across the ‘keeper who got a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out. It was Fitzpatrick’s 12th of the season and makes it seven goals in his last seven appearances. This was goal number 1000 of the David Healy era!
A minimum of nine additional minutes was signalled by the 4th Official as a result of the match being stopped in the 57th minute for six minutes, due to a medical emergency in the North Stand, as well as other stoppages. Further stoppages within added time meant the match went to 102 minutes, but the Blues managed their lead well to see out the win fairly comfortably. The Reds’ only chance in added time came on 94 minutes when Ballantyne’s foul on Ojo earned Cliftonville a free-kick in a dangerous area, but Rory Hale fired it straight down David Walsh’s throat.
It’s a great start to a busy week for the Blues. Their resolve was tested and they came up with with the goods. There are two further tough tests to come this week with a home League match against Crusaders on Tuesday and Irish Cup sixth round tie away to Glentoran on Friday.
FT: Linfield 2-1 Cliftonville
Linfieldfc.com Man of the Match – Kyle McClean
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