Linfield made a positive start to 2026 with an emphatic 6-1 victory over Bangor at Windsor Park in the Sports Direct Premiership this afternoon, a much-needed win that ends a run of three consecutive defeats.
The Blues were without central defender Ben Hall who was serving a one-match suspension as his booking in Tuesday’s 3-1 defeat away to Coleraine was his fifth of the season. However, that paved the way for the timely return of Euan East who started for the first time since picking up an injury in a goalless draw away to Cliftonville two months ago. Matt Yates replaced Alex Gorrin in the Blues’ other change.
Bangor, meanwhile, have an extensive absentee list of their own. Mark Haughey, Kyle Owens, Oisin Devlin, Liam Hassin and Ben Cushnie were out through injury, whilst both Lewis Harrison and Jay Boyd were suspended, although captain Reece Neale was available having served a one-match suspension in the Seasiders’ 2-0 home win over Ballymena United on Tuesday.
Ten matches were postponed across the three NIFL leagues this afternoon as a result of recent ice and snow across Northern Ireland, but there was no doubt over this match at Windsor Park. Supporters of both teams – including more than 300 travelling Seasiders – endured a bitterly cold afternoon to support their teams in the first Windsor Park meeting between Linfield and Bangor since 6th December 2008. The teams played out a goalless draw that day, but this never looked like being another stalemate.
The Blues were given an early scare when Bangor constructed a dangerous counter-attack. Midfield player Jack O’Mahony got down the right and swung in a cross which found striker Ben Arthurs at the back post, but he didn’t connect as well as he needed to which allowed Ethan McGee to hook the ball away.
Linfield then took the lead after 17 minutes with their first goal of 2026. A well-worked move saw Kyle McClean release Matthew Fitzpatrick down the right and he squared the ball for Chris McKee who mishit the ball, however it was retrieved by Charlie Allen who kept a cool head at close range to put the ball low into the net for his second goal of the season.
Lifted in confidence, the Blues then struck again two minutes later to make it 2-0. Another well-worked move saw a wonderful reverse pass from Kyle McClean release Scottish striker Matt Yates who finished brilliantly for his sixth goal of the season, rifling a left-footed strike into the roof of the net.
Bangor opened up more to try and get themselves back into the contest, and they almost pulled a goal back 13 minutes before the break when Ben Arthurs’ through ball reached Jack O’Mahony who got there before Chris Johns and proceeded to knock the ball past the ‘keeper, but the returning Euan East did brilliantly to out-battle his opponent and prevent a goal.
Seasiders’ striker Michael Morgan also had a good chance towards the end of the first half when he was picked out by Harry Lynch’s pinpoint cross, but his headed effort went wide of the post.
Matthew Fitzpatrick had the ball in the net when he turned in Chris McKee’s deflected shot, but the striker was denied by the linesman’s flag and it remained 2-0.
HT: LINFIELD 2-0 BANGOR
The Blues’ third goal did then arrive seven minutes into the second half as Matthew Fitzpatrick played a through ball and although Bangor defender Reece Neale got something on it, he couldn’t prevent Chris McKee getting on the end of it to run through and slide the ball past the onrushing ‘keeper.
Just four minutes later, a goalline clearance from Euan East denied a low strike from Bangor defender Harry Lynch, then the Blues went up the other end and added a fourth goal a short time later as Matt Yates slipped in Matthew Fitzpatrick whose one-touch finish found the bottom corner.
Then, within two minutes of Linfield’s fourth, Bangor pulled a goal back from the penalty spot. Matthew Fitzpatrick was penalised for holding opposing striker Ben Arthurs, before Harry Lynch stepped up and found the corner.
The Blues almost scored again a few minutes after that as Kyle McClean turned swiftly to go through on goal, but visiting goalkeeper Patrick Solis Grogan made an excellent reaction save at close range.
With 25 minutes remaining, Bangor handed debuts to teenager Blake Maiter and former Blue, Stephen Fallon who joined yesterday on loan from Coleraine. At the same time, Linfield made three changes – one of the incoming players was Sam Taylor who will feel he should have scored within a minute of coming on as he volleyed the wrong side of the post from close range following Sean Brown’s knockdown.
Isaac Baird threatened with a header from a corner before the champions added a fifth goal. It came from the penalty spot after defender Stephen McGuinness was adjudged to have handled Fitzpatrick’s goalward strike at close range. Chris McKee stepped up and sent the ‘keeper the wrong way for his eighth goal of the season and his second of the match.
The trend of goals coming in twos continued as the Blues netted again a minute later to round off the scoring as Sam Taylor squared the ball for Matthew Fitzpatrick to squeeze in a low shot for his second of the match and his 12th goal of the season.
Another positive for the Blues was the return of Cammy Ballantyne, with the Scottish midfielder a late substitute to make his first appearance of the season following a frustrating time with injury.
A good afternoon for the Blues who’ll have to be on guard for a Bangor response when the teams meet again at Windsor Park next Saturday in the fifth round of the Irish Cup.
FT: LINFIELD 6-1 BANGOR
Linfieldfc.com Man of the Match: Matthew Fitzpatrick
LINFIELD: Chris Johns (GK), Sean Brown, Ethan McGee, Euan East (Isaac Baird 66’), Dane McCullough, Josh Archer, Kyle McClean © (Cameron Ballantyne 80’), Charlie Allen (Callumn Morrison 66’), Chris McKee, Matt Yates (Sam Taylor 66’), Matthew Fitzpatrick (Jon Graham 83’)
Unused subs: David Walsh (GK), Jamie Mulgrew
BANGOR: Patrick Solis Grogan (GK), Caomhan McGuinness (Alfie Mitchell 38’), Lewis Francis, Reece Neale ©, Stephen McGuinness (Paul Osew 83’), Harry Lynch, Robert Garrett (Liam Burns 83’), Tiarnan Mulvenna, Jack O’Mahony (Blake Maiter 67’), Michael Morgan (Stephen Fallon 67’), Ben Arthurs
Unused subs: Gareth Deane (GK), Tom Mathieson
Referee: Declan Hassan
Yellow cards: Robert Garrett, Stephen McGuinness & Michael Morgan (Bangor), Chris McKee (Linfield)
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