Linfield are back on home turf on match day 29 of the Sports Direct Premiership with Loughgall the welcome visitors to Windsor Park (3pm ko, all-ticket). The teams have met twice this season with Linfield winning both home (5-1) and away (3-1).

 

Loughgall have endured a poor run of form losing  7 league games on the bounce, leaving them firmly anchored at the foot of the Premiership table 18 points away from safety. The transfer of top scorer Nathaniel Ferris to Glentoran in January has been an unwelcome blow for the Villagers. However Dean Smith’s side did receive a major boost with the return to the club of striker Benji Magee on loan from parent club Larne.  

 

In our last outing Linfield edged further ahead in the title race with a crucial win (1-0) over Larne at Windsor Park. A first goal in a blue shirt for recent signing Kieran Offord was enough to seal the deal for the Blues before a bumper crowd at the ‘Shrine’.  

 

Although sitting in a commanding position at the top of the table, David Healy’s men will not be getting too far ahead of themselves. The Blues will certainly need to be firing on all cylinders to fend of a Loughgall side fighting for survival. COYB!

 

Ken Garrett.