Linfield’s eventual return to League action tonight was not worth the wait as the Blues suffered defeat to Portadown at Shamrock Park, an unwanted result on the 10th anniversary of David Healy’s first match in charge of Linfield.
With six Irish League titles amongst a host of other trophies during David Healy’s reign as manager, it’s fair to say there have been many great performances over the years, but this was not one of them as the Blues played well below their capabilities. Nonetheless, it must be acknowledged that Portadown played well and deserved their victory.
Due to multiple factors such as International call-ups and strong winds, the Blues hadn’t played a League match in three weeks, since they won 3-0 away to Bangor. There was one change from that team as Euan East missed out through injury and was replaced by Ethan McGee.
It was a mystery as to how the first half produced no goals as both teams had chances aplenty. The Blues started strongly and had chances in the opening minutes, even going close inside the first minute as a corner routine saw Ethan McGee picked out in space, but his low strike was blocked in a crowded box.
Shortly after, Jamie Mulgrew slid the ball down the side of a defender for Kieran Offord to advance into the box, showing great strength and pace to fend off Lewis MacKinnon before his low shot was well saved at the near post.
Portadown then went up the other end and probably should have taken the lead on the counter-attack as Ben Wylie slipped Rayhaan Tulloch through on goal, but he was denied by Chris Johns who saved well.
The Blues suffered a real blow in the ninth minute as Jamie Mulgrew picked up an injury which brought an end to his involvement as he was replaced by Josh Archer. The captain’s absence was certainly felt as the Blues struggled to grasp any real control on the match.
Early substitute Josh Archer was only on the pitch three minutes before he was involved as he rescued the Blues with a goalline clearance. Ports’ winger Rayhaan Tulloch went on a run, committing multiple defenders before Fyfe received the ball and then teed up Teelan to his right, with his low shot cleared off the line by Archer.
A minute later, Portadown had another good chance as James Teelan broke through a challenge on the right and squared it for Ben Wylie who was disappointed to fire straight at Chris Johns from a good position.
The match continued to be played like a basketball match – end to end – and Linfield went close again as Kirk Millar slipped a neat ball through to put Kieran Offord through on goal. The Scotsman beat the goalkeeper but his effort whistled agonisingly wide of the far post.
Offord threatened again soon after as he latched onto a loose ball into the box and he hooked the ball past the goalkeeper at full stretch, but it also went wide.
HT: PORTADOWN 0-0 LINFIELD
Whilst the first half was a blood and thunder affair as both teams went at it hammer and tong, the second half saw Portadown have the better of it.
Linfield never got going. The Ports should have scored within minutes of the restart. Steven McCullough’s free-kick from the right found Lewis MacKinnon in space, but he put the ball wide of the post from close range.
Niall Currie’s team then did get their noses in front in the 55th minute when McCullough’s corner from the right was delivered deep to the back post where Baris Altintop rose highest in a crowded box to power in a header.
The Blues made changes which brought a brief and marginal improvement and two of the subs were involved as the champions went close to equalising as Morrison’s shot from the left was parried out to Sam Taylor, whose goalward effort struck teammate Kieran Offord.
The Ports then doubled their lead on 72 minutes. Linfield had committed bodies forward and were caught out on the break. It opened up when Ports’ winger Rayhaan Tulloch emerged through a 50/50 challenge with Kyle McClean. Tulloch attempted to play through Teelan, and it was read by Archer, but the ball deflected off Archer before Teelan pounced to prod home and mark his 23rd birthday with a goal.
Taylor had a good chances to pull one back, but he dragged his shot wide of the post after being teed up by Offord. Portadown goalkeeper McCarey made a few good saves late on, on a very disappointing night for the Blues. It was the Blues’ first league defeat at Shamrock Park since February 2016.
The Blues’ next match is away to Cliftonville in the Co. Antrim Shield on Tuesday evening and David Healy will demand improvement from his team.
FT: PORTADOWN 2-0 LINFIELD
PORTADOWN: Aaron McCarey (GK), Divin Isamala, Lewis MacKinnon, Baris Altintop, Steven McCullough, Luke Wilson (Tabu Rabby Minzamba 86’), Gary Thompson ©, Ben Wylie, James Teelan, Rayhaan Tulloch (Ben Quinn 88’), Eamon Fyfe
Unused subs: Alex Moore (GK), Jamie Rea, Aaron Traynor, Jordan Gibson, Ryan Mayse
LINFIELD: Chris Johns (GK), Ethan McGee (Chris McKee 58’), Sean Brown (Sam Taylor 67’), Ben Hall, Sam Roscoe, Kirk Millar (Matt Yates 67’), Isaac Baird (Callumn Morrison 58’), Jamie Mulgrew © (Josh Archer 10’), Kyle McClean, Kieran Offord, Matthew Fitzpatrick
Unused subs: David Walsh (GK), Dane McCullough
REFEREE: Tony Clarke
YELLOW CARDS: Steven McCullough (Portadown), Callumn Morrison (Linfield)
INTERVIEWS
GALLERY
