LINFIELD 2-0 BALLYMENA UNITED 3.2.2024

A return to winning ways but a tough watch at times, and for a long time, not as comfortable as the scoreline suggests as Linfield can now look forward to a first Irish Cup Quarter-Final in front of a crowd in six years.

Following defeat to Dungannon the previous weekend, Chris McKee came into the starting eleven in the only change.

It felt like that defeat to Dungannon had been coming. Ballymena at home in the League is a game you would have taken when you were looking to bounce back.

Ballymena in the Irish Cup? That’s a different animal. In the rounds leading up to the Final, they turn into Brazil 1970.

Irish Cup Finals are probably best not mentioned to Ballymena. They’ve lost three in the last four years, on three different days (Friday 2020, Saturday 2022 and Sunday 2023) of the week.

Although, Linfield were the only team in that run to stop them reaching the Irish Cup Final, with a 3-0 win in an empty (remember those days?) Mourneview Park in a Semi-Final in 2021.

Linfield had also won the previous Irish Cup meeting before that, after extra-time in 2016.

Having said all season that Larne are reminding me of Cliftonville in 2013-2014, there was also a reminder of the 2013-2014 when this game was drawn.

It was Ballymena who stopped Linfield from winning the Irish Cup in 2014 with a win at this stage at Windsor Park against a Linfield side who had lost in the League the previous Saturday. Ballymena were hoping that this would be an omen.

Thankfully, I missed this game as I was away in London for the weekend, at Leyton Orient v Peterborough, checking updates on my phone and wondering what on earth was going on.

Just two hours before Linfield’s next game, David Jeffrey announced he was stepping down as Linfield Manager at the end of that season.

In a strange coincidence, it was another long serving Manager who announced his plans to step down at the end of the season in advance of this game, Stephen Baxter of Crusaders. I didn’t out about it until after this match when listening to the radio. Probably for the best with all these bad omens.

Amazingly, it would have brought back memories for four Crusaders players (Billy Joe Burns, Jonathan Tuffey, Jimmy Callacher and Philip Lowry) who were at Linfield in 2014.

Pointless fact, a further five players (Michael Gault, Mark McAllister, Sean Ward, Ross Clarke and Michael Carvill) have went on to play for Crusaders.

Not sure what Stephen Baxter saw in that team.

Ballymena had the first chance of the game when Ethan McGee had to block a goalbound shot in the penalty area. You don’t really want to encourage Ballymena. It’s bad enough that they go into Irish Cup games thinking they’re Brazil 1970, we shouldn’t letting them believe that they are.

A few minutes later, it looked like normal order was restored when Linfield went 1-0 up with a header from a free-kick.

Spoke too soon. The goal was disallowed for something, i’m not sure what. The lack of protest suggested that somebody knew that they were guilty.

Ballymena had the next chance of the game when Euan East didn’t get out in time following a clearance being returned into the box, playing Kym Nelson onside and giving him an opportunity to turn and shoot, which he did, but into the side netting.

Linfield made the most of that escape a few minutes later when Kirk Millar was played in but was in a wide position by the time the ball got to him, meaning that he couldn’t get a clear strike on goal.

He ended up with another assist, but I think he was shooting at goal, the block from the Ballymena defender rolling across the six yard box perfectly for Chris McKee to run in and put the ball into the empty net.

As the ball was making it’s way across goal, you were already celebrating.

A welcome goal for Linfield although you wouldn’t be getting complacent as they went 1-0 up against Dungannon the previous Saturday.

Despite the half-time lead, it was an unconvincing display from Linfield, with Ballymena having far too many sights on goal. A far better side than Ballymena would have taken advantage of this.

It was a lead that Linfield almost relinquished inside the first minute of the second-half.

A long ball over the defence saw a Ballymena attacker get in behind Linfield’s defence. Thankfully, Chris Johns was able to get out and make himself big to make the block. The ball then fell to another Ballymena player with Johns out of his goal, but he fired over.

My hopes of a routine win and a stress free afternoon were looking ambitious.

Eventually, we got a period of Linfield pressure, which resulted in a Matthew Fitzpatrick heading wide in the box. One of those where he had to stick his head on it but he didn’t really stick his head on it, his head just made contact with the ball.

It looked like Linfield were going to go 2-0 up when Kirk Millar was running through wide with the option of a cross or a pullback, both of which would have certainly resulted in a goal. He played a sloppy pass and the chance was gone. It summed up Linfield’s game.

Eventually, Linfield would get an opportunity to make it 2-0 from the penalty spot when Chris McKee was bundled down in the box. A soft penalty but a clear penalty. Ballymena can protest all they want, but it was a foul anywhere on the pitch, and when you do that in your own penalty area, you’re going to concede a penalty.

After two misses during his absence, Chris Sheilds stepped up to show how it was done (although, one of his three misses for Linfield had come against Ballymena) when he put the ball into the net to make it 2-0.

Finally, a bit of breathing space for Linfield.

It was breathing space that they made the most of. Ballymena were deflated as a result and never really threatened a comeback.

Linfield were the most likely team to score in the final stages of the game.

First, Kirk Millar fired over when a free kick out wide was pulled back to him.

Then, Chris McKee nipped in to get a through ball ahead of Sean O’Neill, and then went round him, only to see his low effort denied by a defender on the line. It really deserved.

Darragh McBrien then went just wide as Linfield tried to get a third goal that they didn’t really need, two was enough.

The main talking point of the final minutes was a yellow card for a Ballymena defender that probably should have been red, dragging his opponent down with arms around the neck.

You could say that it was a rugby tackle, but it would have been a foul and a red card in rugby.

Not a great performance but job done. Linfield will have to play a lot better against better opposition over the coming months if they want to end the season with silverware though.

It was especially important to win as two successive defeats, especially at home, would have raised a lot of awkward questions.

Those questions were answered for now, but plenty more will be asked over the coming months.

Linfield have generally responded well to setback this season. Hopefully, this is the first of another run.

The draw for the next round brought a trip to The Brandywell to face Institute.

Recent visits there have been lunchtime kick-offs, which would suit me (which is the most important thing) as I have tickets for the Ulster match that night.

But the next trip on the horizon, is Lurgan, in a return to League action.

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LINFIELD 1-2 DUNGANNON SWIFTS 27.1.2024

Another Saturday where Linfield woke up with their lead cut at the top of the table, but this time, they were unable to provide a response on the Saturday afternoon. It was hard to say that it wasn’t coming both in terms of this match and in recent weeks.

Suspensions meant it was one out and one back, with Ben Hall missing out and being replaced by Euan East who had just served a one match ban after his red card against Dungannon in the League Cup..

Joel Cooper came back into the starting eleven after two substitute appearances following an injury layoff.

It looked like Cooper was picking up where he left off, just over a minute in when he nutmegged a defender and played a delightful ball a cross the box which Matthew Fitzpatrick was unable to get on the end of. A good start from Linfield.

That good start was almost undone when Euan East almost recreated Mike Newberry’s own goal at home to Dungannon the previous month with an overhit backpass that was heading goalwards.

Thankfully, the overhit backpass wasn’t as powerful and Chris Johns was in a better position to retrieve the situation. A bit of drama we could all have done without.

Ethan McGhee then went close with a header that went just past the post.

It was all very slow from Linfield, very little movement. It was too easy for Dungannon to defend. Just don’t do anything stupid and you’ll be fine.

Dungannon then had their best chance of the game when Leo Alves burst behind Linfield’s defence and found himself one on one against Matthew Clarke. Thankfully, Clarke was able to deny him a clear sight at goal, slicing the ball over instead of getting a strike across the keeper that would have surely resulted in a goal.

You would have thought that scare would have woken up Linfield but it wasn’t much better as the half went on.

That was when you could actually play football. Whenever Linfield had a throw, a free-kick or a corner, Dungannon’s keeper would be throwing or kicking a second ball onto the pitch in order to get the game stopped.

Eventually, the Referee decided to lay down the law and give him a Final Final Final Final Final Final Final Warning. Don’t even test this strict Disciplinarian and make him lay down the law.

When they were able to take those corners, they didn’t help themselves by taking it short, passing it sideways and not really making the most of the opportunity they were given, Dungannon clearing it quite easily.

In the final minute of first-half stoppage time, Linfield did put a corner into the box with a volley from Euan East and the rebound from Kyle McClean forcing Dungannon’s keeper into a save.

Amazing what happens when you put the ball into the box.

0-0 at half-time, Linfield really needed to step it up.

It was Dungannon who had the first chance of the second-half though, when Andrew Mitchell found himself running at Linfield’s defence. His attempts at getting a clear shot on goal saw him take too many touches but he was still able to get a shot on goal, which was turned behind by Chris Johns for a corner.

A few minutes later, the first real moment of attacking quality from Linfield saw them take the lead.

Darragh McBrien was able to make his way towards the byline and pulled the ball back to an unmarked Matthew Clarke as an unmarked Joel Cooper also eyed up a finish.

Clarke put the ball into the back of the net to put Linfield 1-0 up. Barely deserved, but we’ll take it. Hopefully the catalyst to make the most of it and finish the game off.

Dungannon weren’t feeling sorry for themselves, and responded looking for the equaliser.

As the hour mark approached, Linfield had an opportunity to go 2-0 up when they were awarded a penalty after a handball from Gael Bigirimana.

Who to take it?

Rhys Annett had taken and missed Linfield’s last penalty on Boxing Day but he was sitting on the bench as a substitute.

Somebody behind me shouted “Bring Shields on to take it!!!”

I thought they were joking. I’d only seen the team line-ups but not the substitutes and I was unaware that Chris Shields had made a welcome return to the bench.

It would be Kyle McClean who would take the penalty. No complaints about that. Player Of The Season so far and he can take a free-kick. Seemed a logical choice of who was available.

I don’t know why, but I got bad vibes as soon as he started to step up. Sometimes in Football you just know. You know what I mean? You just know.

My fears turned true as McClean saw his low penalty saved. It was too close to the keeper. If the keeper dives the other way, it’s a great penalty.

It was a miss Linfield could have done without. Not playing great, it would have been great to have a commanding lead and just see out the match.

If the penalty save kept Dungannon in the game, they were very much in the game a few minutes later.when Gael Birigimana lost his man and stuck his leg out to the ball to get on the end of a cross to put Dungannon level.

If the penalty miss was an inconvenience, this was certainly more than an inconvenience now.

It wasn’t as if the goal had come against the run of play, Dungannon were giving as good as they were getting.

There was nothing in the game so far that provided any evidence that Linfield were going to dust themselves off and roar back to win the game.

In response, Chris McKee, Aodhan Doherty and Stephen Fallon came on from the bench.

McKee almost had an instant impact when his low shot from the edge of the box that went agonisingly just past the post.

As the minutes ticked by, if Linfield weren’t in enough trouble, they suddenly found themselves in a lot more trouble with ten minutes remaining, when Dungannon went 2-1 up after Dean Curry headed home from a free-kick.

Again, it was a very simple goal, which came about by not tracking a run.

Even though Linfield had come from behind to beat Dungannon the previous month, this felt different.

For a start, Dungannon had eleven men on the pitch, Most importantly, Linfield weren’t playing with the same drive they were in that match.

During the second-half, starting 3-1 down, a couple of minutes and an early goal in response later, you felt that Linfield were going to get something at least from the game, the only question would be if there would be enough time to get a winner.

At various points in the second-half of that game, you felt it was only a matter of time before Linfield scored.

This game? Not so much. Never at any point did it feel like a Linfield goal was imminent.

And now they needed two of them in ten minutes.

Rhys Annett came on for Daniel Finlayson. It felt like a case of getting as many attacking players on the pitch as possible.

Despite the number of attacking bodies on the pitch, the closest that Linfield came to an equaliser was a curling effort from Chris McKee just inside the box in injury time that just went wide.

Dungannon held on to secure a first ever League win at Windsor Park. A stat that might seem surprising, as you just assume that at some point over the past twenty years, they would have won at least one League match at Windsor Park.

This was a result that you felt had been coming. The past few weeks, Linfield had been just getting the job done, just getting over the line.

As amazing as it sounds, you can be in control with a one goal lead. In recent weeks, Linfield had been anything but, they were just hanging on.

You can’t really use fatigue as an excuse as the fixture isn’t as busy as it was, they had a full week to prepare for this game.

It felt so lethargic, both mentally and physically. It felt like they were coasting, we always come back, we always get a winner.

You have to work for it. Linfield got a winner against Dungannon in December because they kept attacking and eventually got their reward.

What this result means is that the top of the table suddenly got a bit more exciting for the neutral. I’m not a neutral, I want Linfield to be running away with it.

Throughout the season, i’ve been saying that Larne have a Cliftonville 2013-2014 vibe about them.

It is that Cliftonville side Linfield can look to.

On the same weekend in January that season, they lost at home to Portadown, dusted themselves down and won every single match remaining that season.

Or if you prefer, the Linfield 2017 vintage. One month later, same opponents and a draw that felt like a defeat that became the springboard for a winning run that delivered two more trophies to the County Antrim Shield that was already in the bag.

That’s what Linfield need to do. Win, win and keep winning.

Whenever Linfield have had a League setback, they have usually responded well.

Defeat at Larne in September was followed by an eight match winning run.

If you ignore the second defeat to Larne being followed by that result at The Oval two weeks later, that defeat in East Belfast was followed by seven wins and a draw from the next eight League matches.

Something similar is needed in response to this. They will need to play a whole lot better for it to happen.

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LINFIELD 1-0 CRUSADERS 20.1.2024

For the second time in January, Linfield did just enough to get over the line with a 1-0 win over Crusaders. Another three points, and much needed with Cliftonville and Larne winning to keep the pressure on Linfield.

Just as with the previous meeting, the meeting with Crusaders was the finale to a packed run of games.

Four days prior to this, Linfield had beaten Dungannon to reach a second successive League Cup Final. I wasn’t at it, but judging by the the text updates, it seemed a bruising encounter with Linfield holding on to a 2-1 lead on the road for the second time in three days.

To be honest, waking up to frost, ice and snow on Tuesday morning, I wouldn’t have been too adverse to the prospect of the match at Stangmore Park, thinking about the affect it could have on this game.

That is the price of success, you’d rather be in a League Cup Semi-Final than not. I doubt anybody was thinking that it was horrible to have a midweek game a few days before playing Crusaders. Nor was anybody complaining about a League match against Cliftonville in March that will need to be rescheduled.

Thoughts of the League Cup can be put aside for nearly two months, it was now back to trying to get three points to win back the League title.

The win at Dungannon came at a cost though, with a red card for Euan East ruling him out of this game. It was a case of one out of the team but two back on the bench for Linfield in the shape of Joel Cooper (who had a brief cameo towards the end at Dungannon) and Stephen Fallon after injury.

One day, we’ll have a fully available squad to choose from this season.

For the first time in a long time, you went into a match against Crusaders fully expecting rather than hoping to win. An early goal, just as in the game in September, would have been most welcome.

It almost came just over a minute into the game when Daniel Finlayson had a header blocked on the line by either Jonathan Tuffey or Matthew Fitzpatrick, and nobody could force the ball home from the resulting scramble. Despite the frustrations, a good start from Linfield.

Crusaders responded with a corner that evaded everybody. If somebody was able to get on the end of it, they surely would have scored.

Linfield’s first big attacking moment came when Matthew Clarke pounced on a clearance but his firs time shot inside the box was saved.

Eventually, they took the lead when Kyle McClean played Josh Archer through on goal. Even though he was slightly wide and had Crusaders defenders bearing down on him, he still had the composure to put it into the back of the net.

It was one of those where as soon as he was played through, a goal was going to be the only outcome.

A vital goal for Linfield, now could they get a second?

You felt that if they could, that would be enough to see off Crusaders in what had been a very stop/start first-half.

That second goal looked like it was going to come when Matthew Fitzpatrick was through on goal with the keeper to beat, a right foot shot across the keeper puts Linfield 2-0 up. Unfortunately, he cut back just as he did on Boxing Day, but there would be no repeat of his goal as the cut back allowed a defender to get into position to make the block.

As the half neared it’s end, Crusaders began to have sights on Linfield’s goal, with Ben Hall being forced to block a goalbound effort while Lloyd Anderson got in behind Linfield’s defence but his low shot across goal was comfortably saved by Chris Johns.

You were happy to take the 1-0 lead at half-time but Linfield needed to get a second just to feel a little bit more relaxed. Crusaders had begun to pose a threat as the half neared it’s end.

The much needed second goal looked like it was going to come when Darragh McBrien was played through on goal. An offside flag had already gone up by the time he had put the ball into the back of the net, but he did the basics of sticking the ball into the back of the net and asking questions later.

Talking of questions, was it offside?

I wasn’t looking out for it in real time so can’t comment. TV Replays suggest it was very close. If only there was VAR to sort it out. In Linfield’s favour, of course.

That would be Linfield’s last attacking threat for a while, as Crusaders searched for an equaliser.

Stewart Nixon looked like he was going to equalise when he controlled a long ball forward, making space for himself and shooting across goal, only to see his effort go just wide.

Jordan Owens was next to be frustrated when his header was saved by Chris Johns at the expense of a corner. It might have been going wide, but Johns wasn’t taking any chances.

Linfield weren’t offering much of an attacking threat in response. Unsurprisingly, people were starting to get very nervous.

Even though it was the same scoreline as when the teams met earlier in the month, the difference this time was that Crusaders actually looked like scoring.

There was another moment of worry for Linfield after a corner caused an almighty goalmouth scramble as Crusaders tried to force the ball over the line.

What followed wasn’t something you would see in a Coaching Manual, it was simply about Linfield players getting their bodies in the way and keeping the ball out of the net by any means possible. Eventually, Crusaders attempts to force the ball over the line were too much for the Referee, who awarded a free-kick to Linfield. I thought he was going to award a Line Out, it was like something you would see at Ravenhill.

The decision to award a free-kick was even funnier because Crusaders fans starting cheering because they thought they had been awarded a goal.

Linfield responded by bringing on Chris McKee for Darragh McBrien. You were hoping that Joel Cooper would be brought on soon at some point.

Kyle McClean thought he was going to make it 2-0 when he hit a first time shot from the edge of the box, but it went over the bar.

Despite that, it was another great performance from McClean. It felt like he was everywhere. Especially in his own defensive third, denying Crusaders when they started to have ideas of getting nearer to Linfield’s goal.

Eventually, Stephen Fallon and Joel Cooper came on, a welcome return for both, especially as the business end of the season approaches.

Their introduction didn’t really change the pattern of the game. Linfield were still being forced to hang on.

After numerous saves and catches by Chris Johns, it was Jamie Mulgrew’s turn, getting in the road to stick a foot out and divert a goalbound effort out for a corner.

It was all very nervous. Far more nervous than the game at Seaview earlier in the month, and that was very nervous despite Crusaders not having a meaningful effort on goal in the second-half of that game.

Those nerves weren’t exactly helped when the board went up for four minutes of injury time.

Thankfully, Linfield were able to navigate those four minutes, securing a vital win to stay four points clear at the top of the table.

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LOUGHGALL 1-2 LINFIELD 13.1.2024

It was as you were at the top of the Irish League after this weekend’s games. When you are four points clear at the top of the table, you’ll take that.

With Larne putting their feet up after a routine win at Seaview, Linfield (and Cliftonville) were being made to work hard to get the job done.

Early on, it was Loughgall who were getting strikes in on goal, albeit shots that you would be expecting Chris Johns to save.

The first real moment of danger that Linfield had came when Daniel Finlayson, for some reason, donkey kicked a clearance across the penalty area instead of well away from goal. The ball fell to Andrew Hoey but his first time effort was blocked by a Linfield defender at close range. If there wasn’t a defender there to make the block, a goal for Loughgall was certain.

Linfield’s first major attacking moment came out of nowhere, to the surprise of everybody in the ground. As the ball looked set to make it’s way through to Beerat Turker, Matthew Fitzpatrick was able to nip and stick a foot on it, but his effort went just wide.

Fitzpatrick was involved in Linfield’s next attack of note when his low cross was held by Beerat Turker. If he let it go past him or if he spilt it, there would have been an open net for a Linfield attacker.

Finally, Linfield were having something resembling pressure on Loughgall’s goal.

It looked like Rhys Annett was going to put Linfield 1-0 up when the ball was pulled back, but he couldn’t adjust his feet to get the shot on target, firing over.

Benji Magee then managed to create space for himself in the box but fired across the goal and wide.

Matthew Clarke then had Linfield’s best attacking moment of the half when he got a head on a cross but his header hit the bar. Matthew Fitzpatrick tried to force the rebound in but Loughgall kept getting bodies in the way.

0-0 at half-time and both sides being level was probably a fair outcome. It wouldn’t have been a surprise based on the two previous meetings this season.

In September, even though it was an ultimately comfortable 2-0 win for Linfield, there were some scary moments while the game was in the balance. In October, the sides were level at the interval, and Loughgall weren’t afraid to go on the attack. They just weren’t getting many opportunities to do so. It took a quick burst of goals early in the second-half for Linfield to make the game comfortable.

If Linfield were hoping for a quick burst of second-half goals in this game, they went the right way about it, taking the lead just over a minute into the half.

A free-kick from Kirk Millar was diverted into his own net by a Loughgall defender on the stretch, with no Linfield player in the in the immediate vicinity.

There might have been an element of good fortune regarding the goal, but you make your own luck. It was a great cross into the box by Kirk Millar, and if he doesn’t put the ball into that area, the defender isn’t having a decision to intercept it or let it go.

Linfield now started to take control of the second-half. It felt like a second goal was only a matter of time.

That second goal came when a free-kick was headed clear as far as Kirk Millar who superbly volleyed home from the edge of the box to make it 2-0.

Suddenly, for the first time all afternoon, Linfield were in a comfortable position. That sense of comfort would turn out to be short lived.

Benji Magee was played in, in the box, and his first time effort went in via a deflection to make it 2-1.

Linfield responded by bringing on Darragh McBrien and Ethan McGee from the bench. This was a debut for McGee.

It looked like Linfield were going to go 3-1 up when the ball fell to Matthew Fitzpatrick after a flap by Beerat Turket at a set piece, but Loughgall were able to get bodies in the way every time he fired the ball goalwards. That would be the last time for a while that Linfield fans would be seeing the ball at that end of the pitch for a while.

Chris Johns was forced into a double save, the first a fantastic one handed save similar to his one at Larne last season and the second getting uop to make himself big to block the rebound.

You were starting to get a sinking feeling that Loughgall were going to get something out of this game.

Linfield were just holding on. They were struggling to get the ball into Loughgall’s half for any sustained period of time.

Thankfully, Linfield were able to hold on and see the game out and secure a 2-1 win. I managed to get into my car just in time to listen to the commentary of Cliftonville scoring to secure a 2-1 win.

It wasn’t pretty, but they had to dig in, and they got their rewards.

There are varying ways to win a football match. It’s all about scoring more than the opposition at the end of the day, and that’s what Linfield did.

It would have been hard to Loughgall wouldn’t have deserved it if they had got something from the game.

You have to remember, they’ve already beaten Larne this season, and Larne squeezed past them 1-0 in the return game.

It’s those six extra points gained which is why Linfield remain top of the table.

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CRUSADERS 0-1 LINFIELD 2.1.2024

This was a game that Linfield could have done without but three points they definitely could have done with.

When this game was announced, I was a bit shocked by the date, in the immediate aftermath of an intense Christmas/New Year schedule. I assumed if would be later in January. or even in February.

David Healy wasn’t impressed, saying so when it was announced. That seemed a bit ill advised to say so publicly in advance of the game.

As kick-off arrived, I feared this could be one match too far.

Normally, a draw at Seaview isn’t a disaster, but it would have felt that way if this match went that way as Linfield’s lead at the top of the table would have gone from eight to two points over six weeks.

Four points isn’t decisive but it keeps Larne at arms length.

It’s not just Larne that Linfield should be worried about, Cliftonville are lurking ready to pounce if Linfield and Larne slip up, which is what Larne and Linfield did when they drew with each other. Frustratingly for Cliftonville, their match at The Oval was postponed meaning they couldn’t get points on the board to put pressure on those above them.

The double threat meant that Linfield needed to win to keep two teams at arms length and not give Cliftonville any encouragement.

There was nothing to fear for Linfield against a Crusaders side they had already beaten convincingly this season. A side that had already lost three times against Cliftonville, and a draw and a defeat against Larne. That is one point from six games against the Top 3.

Linfield’s starting eleven saw a return for Jamie Mulgrew, but Joel Cooper was still unavailable through injury.

Crusaders had the first chance of the game when a dangerous cross had to be intercepted at the expense of a corner by Ben Hall.

Soon afterwards, Paul Heatley had a shot tipped around the post. For a brief moment, it looked like it was going to sneak in.

That was the only moment of real worry for Linfield as they withstood the pressure. They needed do, based on their last visit to Seaview in January last year. This had the potential to be a very long night if they went 1-0 down.

Linfield then had a penalty appeal after a bizarre incident when a Crusaders player punched the ball as it was going out of play. Or, after it had gone out of play according to the Referee. My view of it wasn’t the best and TV footage was inconclusive as to where he punched the ball. Linfield players adamant that the ball was still in play whenever he punched it, but no penalty was given.

Another Crusaders player punching the ball almost became a talking point. This time, it was Jonathan Tuffey, who is allowed to punch the ball in the penalty area. His punch from a corner in a packed penalty area fell straight to Kirk Millar. Millar had to get a shot in very quickly, which he did, low and hard. Unfortunately, a Crusaders player was there to make a block.

It was Linfield’s first real attempt at goal of note, and a sign of encouragement.

As the first-half entered stoppage time, Linfield got a corner which they made the most of. The ball fell to Euan East who was able to turn and hit it first time into the back of the net to put Linfield 1-0 up.

You would have taken 0-0 at half-time the way the early stages were going, this was a nice bonus.

Normally, I would conclude my first-half analysis by adding that Linfield would feel confident of getting more goals as they would be attack towards their fans in the second-half. Instead, they would be attacking lots of empty seats. There’ll be more of that late.

Crusaders responded as Crusaders usually responded, by lumping the ball into the box and hoping for the best.

Chris Johns was usually there to thwart them. Sometimes punching the ball away rather than catching it, but it was effective, directing it away from goal rather than back into danger.

Barring a free header that went over the bar, the influx of balls into the box weren’t troubling Linfield. They couldn’t afford to get complacent though.

Chris McKee came on for Rhys Annett and almost had an instant impact with a cross-shot (it was probably more of a cross than an attempt at goal) which needed to be saved.

Chris Johns continued to catch and punch crosses away, but Linfield needed that second goal.

It looked like they were going to get it when a corner fell perfectly to Euan East, who was unmarked. He tried to sidefoot it, but it went over. He might have been better off just smashing it low. Then I remember the ball is coming to him in the air and he has a split second to make a decision. Football is so easy in the stands.

Linfield could have done with a second goal. It would have made everybody so much more relaxed. Crusaders might have got lucky and snuck a goal from somewhere. They didn’t look like a team that would get two goals.

Those nerves weren’t exactly helped by five minutes of injury time. Not ideal, but not unexpected as there was a lengthy delay due to an injury.

What struck me was the reaction of Crusaders fans when those five minutes were announced.

Usually, if a team was 1-0 down at home and five minutes of injury time is announced, there would be a big roar of encouragement to spur the team on to get something from the game.

Nothing. There was nothing. It was as if Linfield had sucked all the belief out of Crusaders. You will not score.

Especially if you can’t get the ball. Linfield held on to the ball for most of injury time. Crusaders couldn’t get it anywhere near Linfield’s goal.

It finished 1-0 to Linfield. Naturally very nervous, but in truth, Crusaders only had one really noteworthy shot on goal and one cross which needed to be intercepted. As long as Linfield didn’t do anything stupid when defending balls into the box, they would be ok.

A curious fact about Linfield’s visits to Seaview is that the 2-0 win in August 2018 was Linfield’s only win at Seaview by more than one goal there since 2010. We’re used to spending the final minutes nervously holding onto a lead at Seaview.

It wasn’t a great performance, but it was all about the result. Just as the past few weeks, it was all about surviving and getting through it. Ten points from twelve is an excellent return over Christmas/New Year, but it’s gone. Time to get ready to focus on the next game. All that good work would be undone if they slipped up in the weeks following this game.

I was worried this game would be one game too far. Thankfully, it wasn’t.

This was Linfield’s first visit to Seaview this season, and it is my sad duty to inform you that it has gone from being one of the best away venues in the League to one of the shittest.

Segregation, I can live with. I used to enjoy standing behind whichever goal Linfield were attacking, and then moving over to the other end at half-time.

Not a big fan of away fans being segregated within themselves, where you have to buy a ticket for a specific stand instead of buying a ticket and deciding if you want to be at the side of the pitch or behind the goal. I can live with that.

We’re not even allowed behind the goal, with Crusaders having the stand taken up by their own fans. Not many of them though, lots of empty seats while Linfield fans are all crammed in together.

Whenever Linfield are attacking the Railway Line, I like to stand at the side of the pitch as close to the goal as I can. I’m not the only one who does this.

Not this time. They’ve dumped practice nets there, meaning nobody can stand at the side of the pitch. Purely coincidental of course.

Not being able to stand where I wanted to, I headed to the stand at the side of the pitch to take my seat, except there was no seat. There should have been a seat, but there wasn’t. I had to sit on concrete instead.

An utterly joyless dump to visit.

If i’m planning a weekend away in the second half of 2024, the weekend that Linfield are playing at Seaview will be the prime contender.

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LARNE 1-1 LINFIELD 30.12.2023

The last of three scheduled games over Christmas/New Year (There is a rearranged game against Crusaders to come) saw Linfield finish the period in the same position as they started it.

That is no bad thing, as they started it one point clear at the top, a position they will occupy on the first day of 2024.

Of course, 31st December 2023 isn’t the date that Linfield ultimately want to finish the day top. The big day they want is Saturday 27th April 2024. This result helped.

The win on Boxing Day came at a cost, with Jamie Mulgrew and Joel Cooper missing this game through injury, with Josh Archer and Mike Newberry coming in.

To say that Linfield didn’t get off to the best of starts was a bit of an understatement.

Just seven minutes into the game, Larne took the lead with a goal that was so simple and avoidable.

A goal kick from Chris Johns was returned back by Larne and suddenly Mike Newberry was in a race with Lee Bonis to get the ball.

Having been favourite when the ball went forward, Newberry was now being outpaced by Bonis. Having expected Newberry to deal with the danger, Chris Johns was now in a position where if he got a challenge wrong, he was getting sent-off. Bonis went around him and found himself with an empty goal to aim into.

There was still a bit of work for Bonis to do, but he did it, putting Larne 1-0 up.

It was an almighty mess from Linfield. They had done ok leading up to it. One of those games where not much had happened in the early minutes.

Having already lost twice to Larne this season, and seen the way that Larne strangled the game at Windsor Park once they went ahead, Linfield fans were fearing the worst.

Even at this early stage, it was a matter of staying in the game as a short-term goal. If it got to 2-0, things could get ugly.

Thankfully, Linfield survived the aftermath of the Larne goal, and than managed to come into the game.

Then, Linfield got their reward when Matthew Fitzpatrick headed home a cross from Mike Newberry, who started the move.

Linfield weren’t just surviving, they were prospering, and it looked like they might take the lead when Rhys Annett was played through but in a wide position if that makes sense. He sliced his effort which headed to the corner flag. A clean connection, and it’s going into the top corner. Despite that, this was a strong finish to the half for Linfield.

It looked like that strong finish was going to be rewarded with a goal when Matthew Fitzpatrick headed home a cross, only to be denied by an offside flag.

From behind the goal at the other end, it was hard to tell if it was, but the lack of a protest suggested that it was a correct decision.

Larne still posed a threat, with Euan East having to get in the way to block a goalbound shot at the expense of a corner.

Apart from the soft goal conceded, it was a decent half from Linfield. Now they would be attacking where their fans are based in the second-half.

The first moment that show those fans getting excited was a long range shot from Euan East that was saved by Rohan Ferguson. I was right behind it, and was about to shout “What are you doing?” as he was about to shoot, then a few seconds later thinking I might be celebrating a goal.

In truth, it was a shot that you would expect a competent keeper to save, but if you don’t buy a ticket as they say.

Larne had the next big moment in the game when Tomas Cosgrove snuck in round the back at a free-kick, but by the time the ball arrived at him, he was too wide to do any damage, especially with Chris Johns pressuring him and making the goal even smaller. The effort hit the post and went out for a goal kick.

A reminder to Linfield that Larne can pose a goal threat at any time.

You didn’t dare say it out loud, but even at this early stage, it looked like this was a game that was going to end a draw, with neither team looking able to produce that magic moment to win the game, and neither defence looking like gifting the points either

To say that out loud would be tempting fate, late Larne winner incoming.

It looked like that magic moment was going to fall Linfield’s way when a cross fell to Matthew Clarke in the penalty area. He went to control the ball but took a heavy touch. It looked as though he was trying to control the ball and then finish when a first time shot would have resulted in a goal. I don’t think he realised the situation around him.

Football is an easy game in the stands. I’ve already scored sixty goals this season.

Chris McKee came on for Rhys Annett as Linfield searched for a winner.

Lee Bonis was the man who was getting all of Larne’s chances. A low shot from him was easily saved by Chris Johns. That was followed by a scuffed effort which went wide of the goal after the ball fell to him in the penalty area.

With ninety seconds left on the clock, Linfield had an attacking free-kick and an opportunity to put it in the box. What to do? Go for it or play it safe? If it only takes ten seconds to score a goal, then ninety seconds is more than enough to concede a goal.

Linfield went for it, and Ben Hall got his head on it. Unfortunately, there was no repeat of Boxing Day. The ball bounced up as he headed it, and even though it was going goalwards, it was never going in. Agonising.

That was the last moment of note in the game as it finished 1-1. Both teams will feel frustrated at not winning it but relieved at not losing it.

A draw was a fair result. Both sides will feel that they could have won the game, but can’t say outright that they should have won the game.

That was it for Linfield in 2023 but they won’t be getting eased into 2024 as a trip to Seaview awaits on the second day of the year, a rearranged game postponed from November.

If this result, which maintained Linfield’s one point lead, kept Larne at arm’s length, then they have to make the most of an opportunity to go four points clear.

Especially as Larne don’t look like dropping many points between now and April. Linfield can’t afford to give Larne a sniff or any form of encouragement.

Larne will be putting a brave face but they know they missed an opportunity to put a lot of pressure on Linfield.

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LINFIELD 2-0 GLENTORAN 26.12.2023

Having already ruined my birthday by losing to Glentoran in February, thank goodness Linfield didn’t ruin Christmas by losing to them as well. Most importantly, it was a much needed three points with Cliftonville and Larne also winning, which maintained Linfield’s lead at the top of the table.

Joel Cooper returned to Linfield’s starting eleven after serving a Suspension against Coleraine, while there was a welcome return of Chris McKee to the matchday squad, being named on the bench after injury.

Linfield made a better start to this game than their last meeting with Glentoran, although the bar is quite low in that regard. They were still 0-0 after three minutes this time.

In fact, it was Linfield who were almost taking the lead three minutes in when Aaron McCarey struggling at an inswinging free-kick resulted in a bit of a scramble, but Glentoran were saved by the whistle being blown for a foul (not for me) before Linfield could make any advantage of the scramble.

There was more frustration to come for Linfield when Matthew Fitzpatrick stretched but was unable to get on the end of a Joel Cooper cross. Even the slightest of contact would have resulted in a goal.

This was a good start from Linfield, they needed to keep this up.

Glentoran had their first chance of the game when Jamie Mulgrew intercepted a pass but could only divert the ball to Daire O’Connor, who pulled it back to David Fisher, who fired over just outside the box. He should have been hitting the target, under no pressure. If he did, Linfield would have been in trouble.

Not that you wanted to go 1-0 down, the way Linfield had been playing, there would have been no need to panic, especially as they had come from 1-0 down to win 2-1 at home on Boxing Day 2012 and 2014.

Linfield responded with a header from Joel Cooper that went wide.

Rhys Annett was able to find space in the box but his low curling effort was saved. Within a few minutes, Annett would be involved in the first major talking point of the match.

Once again, Aaron McCarey struggled when a set piece was in the air, but he was the one giving away a foul rather than benefitting from a foul.

Having dropped a free-kick from Kirk Millar, McCarey went to retrieve the ball but was beaten to it by Rhys Annett, who sniffed the opportunity as soon as there was a loose ball in the penalty area. Penalty to Linfield.

I was actually thinking about this situation to myself during a recent game, all hypothetically. If Linfield got a penalty, who would take it now that Chris Shields is absent through injury.

Chris McKee took one against Kelty Hearts last season but was on the bench for the first time after injury.

It wasn’t really obvious who would take one.

Kirk Millar had scored against Glenavon in 2020. Joel Cooper missed one against Institute in 2019.

Although, considering that Linfield have been involved in seven penalty shoot-outs across the past three seasons, there can’t have been many Linfield players who haven’t taken a penalty in some shape or form.

It was Rhys Annett who would take responsibility with this one. His effort was well struck but McCarey guessed right and saved the penalty at the expense of a corner, making up for his error and foul.

Despite the celebrations in the North Stand, the danger still wasn’t clear for Glentoran, they still had a corner to defend.

It would have been so so funny if Linfield had scored from the resulting corner, but unfortunately, they didn’t.

Somebody behind me was complaining about the choice of penalty taker. I must admit I was surprised when he stepped up to take it, but a player with four goals in his last three games taking a penalty is clearly going to be high on confidence and fancy scoring. It was juts one of those things. If the keeper dives the wrong way, it’s a great penalty and Linfield are 1-0 up.

Despite the obvious frustrations, there was no panic from Linfield fans. They knew their side would get more chances in this game if they kept playing as they were playing.

It was Glentoran who had the next chance of the game when Patrick McClean stretched to get on the end of a free-kick but his effort went just wide. I was sat at the opposite end. One downpoint of such a vantage point is that it looks like it is going to go in every time the opposition have a shot at goal. Or maybe it’s just me?

With ten minutes of the half remaining, Linfield took the lead when Ben Hall headed home a free-kick from Kirk Millar. It was hard to say it wasn’t deserved.

There was still enough time for a second before half-time, if you were wanting to be greedy.

Linfield fans were cheering towards the end of the half, but it was for Jamie Mulgrew leaving one on Fuad Sule at the cost of a yellow card. Leaving a marker early doors so to speak, even if we were approaching half-time.

You were worried that Linfield were almost too pumped up for this game with some rather robust tackles. Thankfully, disciplined was kept alongside execution.

A very good half for Linfield, but if there’s one thing I hate, it’s being 1-0 up against Glentoran. That sounds weird, but it makes sense if you know what I mean. Especially on Boxing Day.

2004, 2006 and 2016 have seen Linfield lead 1-0 at half-time only to be held to a 1-1 draw. It feels worse than a defeat sometimes.

It wasn’t rocket science to suggest that Linfield needed a 2-0 lead. They went out in the second-half determined to get it as quickly as possible.

Daniel Finlayson got his head on the end of a free-kick but hit the post. Too wide to score from the rebound, he played it across the box but nobody was able to get on the end of it.

A few minutes later, Matthew Clarke was next to be frustrated when he managed to turn in the box but his effort hit the post as well.

I’ve seen this before. 1-0 up, in control and hitting everything but the back of the net. Stick all your Christmas money on a 1-1 draw.

That much feared premonition looked like it was going to come true when Shay McCartan got on the end of a cross, but his header went wide. A reminder to Linfield that they really needed a second goal.

Thankfully, there wasn’t long to wait for that second goal.

Kyle McClean played in Matthew Fitzpatrick behind Glentoran’s defence. It looked perfectly set up for him to take a first time shot, or to run with the ball for a bit and then smash it home.

Instead, he checked inside. Just as I was thinking to myself that he maybe did that as he was lacking confidence, he drilled it low into the back of the net to make it 2-0.

Keeper could have done better, but that was the last thing on my mind as I celebrated Linfield going 2-0 up.

If I hate being 1-0 up against Glentoran, I really hate being 2-0 up against Glentoran. They always seem to blag a goal out of nowhere and unleash a load on anxiety you could do without.

Although not on this occasion, the way this game had been going, it was as good as three points in the bag for Linfield. Glentoran didn’t look like creating a chance to pull it back to 2-1.

Despite that, a third goal would have been nice just to make absolutely sure.

Joel Cooper went off after a challenge from Fuad Sule. Staight away, he was signalling that he needed to be replaced. Josh Archer came on for him to add an extra body in midfield.

Despite losing one of their creative talents, Linfield continued to create chances, with Euan East having a shot blocked after the ball fell to him at a corner. Darragh McBrien also fired over from a shot outside the box.

As the minutes ticked down, it seemed odd that Chris McKee wasn’t brought on to give him some minutes. With five minutes (plus stoppage time) remaining, he came on for Matthew Fitzpatrick. A welcome and much needed return.

With each passing second and minute, the chances of a Glentoran comeback became even more remote, which meant I could enjoy the final minutes safe in the knowledge that Linfield weren’t going to ruin Christmas.

The celebrations had to be forgotten about for the players, with Larne away only a few days away. Linfield fans, however, were more than happy to revel in the three points while the team had moved onto Larne.

Jingle bells, Jingle bells …….

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Boxing Day 2022

Boxing Day 2018

Boxing Day 2015

Boxing Day 2014

Boxing Day 2013

LINFIELD 2-1 COLERAINE 22.12.2023

It was a hard watch at times and it ended up being a lot more nervous than it should have been at the end, but it was three points for Linfield and that’s all that matters as they, like Wham!, confirmed themselves as Christmas Number 1, although late April Number 1 is the one we really want.

Linfield went into this game with no Joel Cooper due to suspension. There were times during the first-half when this was felt.

It was Linfield who had the first chance of the game when a cross from Aodhan Doherty just evaded Matthew Fitzpatrick.

Linfield were unable to kick on from their positive start, never really leaving Coleraine hanging on.

Coleraine then came into the game, offering a Jarvis shot that went over the bar. It looked a lot more dangerous from where I was sat at the opposite end. TV replays showed there was never a danger of it going in.

Conor McKendry was a bit closer for Coleraine, when his chip from just inside the box hit the top of the net rather than the back of the net.

Even though the first quarter of the game was even, Coleraine could argue that they had shown the greater attacking threat.

With Joel Cooper absent, Linfield were really struggling to break down a well set up Coleraine side. It looked like it was going to take a moment of inspiration or a bad mistake for Linfield to score.

Eventually, Linfield did create a goalscoring chance of note when Matthew Clarke pulled the ball back from the byline (he didn’t have a choice as the ball was going out if he didn’t) straight to Rhys Annett but he couldn’t get the connection he wanted on his volley, the ball going over.

This came during a strong period of pressure from Linfield, but one where they couldn’t make a breakthrough.

Aodhan Doherty had a shot from the edge of the box saved, which went out to Matthew Fitzpatrick who fired over from six yards out. He was offside anyway (early flag) so it wouldn’t have mattered, but he still should have scored for there to be a goal to be disallowed. I can’t even explain what happened, the only thing I can think of was that his body shape was all wrong and he couldn’t readjust. It was still a bad miss.

It summed a half where Linfield really struggled to break down Coleraine and couldn’t really argue with being level with being level at the break.

Just as you were hoping that Linfield would start the second-half with intent, it was Coleraine who were almost scoring within twenty seconds of the restart when an outstretched leg got on the end of a cross and the effort hit the bar, with the rebound effort thankfully landing safely in the arms of Chris Johns.

A warning for Linfield, as if it was needed.

The game was now stretched and a lot more entertaining than it was in the first-half. This was a game that was not going to finish 0-0.

In order to try and get themselves on the right side of any goalscoring, Linfield brought on Darragh McBrien for Aodhan Doherty.

After a short corner didn’t work, Linfield’s next corner was pinged into the box, and was a lot more effective.

Euan East got his head on a corner from Matthew Clarke, and it went into the back of the net despite Gareth Deane getting a hand on it.

Having seen how successful this approach was, Linfield decided to do the same the next time they won a corner a few minutes later, and it brought the same outcome.

It wasn’t a header into the net, but the ball which came in found it’s way to Rhys Annett a couple of yards out. There was only going to be one outcome. You were celebrating as soon as the ball landed at him. Considering the form he is in, it was no surprise when he made it 2-0 to Linfield.

Not quite points in the bag, but this was a good position to be in. A third goal would be nice, then we can all relax.

That third goal despite Linfield’s best efforts, including a penalty appeal, a shot from Kyle McClean that was saved by the legs of Gareth Deane and a header from Matthew Fitzpatrick.

Mike Newberry came on Rhys Annett as Linfield looked to see the game out without any drama.

Within a minute, Coleraine pulled a goal back when Andrew Mitchell got on the end of a free-kick to bundle the ball into the back of the net.

From where I was, it looked like Johns had done enough to keep the ball out. In fairness, from the corner at the opposite end, there were a lot of players blocking my view. A lot of people around me thought it had just crossed the line and didn’t realise how clear a goal it was.

This was not ideal. Suddenly, the match was a contest when Linfield were looking to see it out and get ready for Boxing Day.

Despite this, Linfield were able to keep Coleraine at bay for the final minutes of the game. Mostly.

With a one goal lead, you never are going to be fully comfortable. In injury time, Linfield fans were as nervous as Santa on a foggy Christmas Eve.

Andrew Mitchell glanced a header goalwards but it went wide. From where I was, at the opposite end of the ground, it briefly looked like it was going in. Looking at the TV replay, it was never even close as Chris Johns just watched it go past without a care in the world. All that worry I had was for nothing.

A few seconds later, the final whistle blew and Linfield had the three points, securing their place as Christmas Number 1. Just about, only by a point of Larne, who got over the line with a 1-0 win over Loughgall. The following day, Cliftonville kept the pressure on those above them with a win over Ballymena.

It was especially important for Linfield to win for purely superficial reasons. I was on the second day of my Christmas Holidays and was having a nice, happy and comfortable day in front of the TV. If i’m having to leave the house for a match, they’d better bloody win.

The first of four games over Christmas/New Year and three points in the bag.

Now for Boxing Day.

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GLENAVON 0-2 LINFIELD 16.12.2023

It feels like Linfield wake up every Saturday morning 2nd in the table after a Larne win on the Friday night. Thankfully, Linfield had an answer on this Saturday afternoon.

Linfield were facing a Glenavon side on a good run of form. They would have preferred to be facing a Glenavon side on an unbeaten run, but that came to an end against Larne the previous weekend.

Kyle McClean returned after serving a one match ban while Rhys Annett unsurprisingly kept his place after two goals against Dungannon Swifts the previous week.

It was Annett who had Linfield’s first chance of the game when he was played in, but under pressure from defenders, he sliced his effort wide.

Matthew Fitzpatrick was next to be frustrated when his header from a free-kick was straight at Glenavon’s keeper. Either side and he’s scoring. He really should have made the keeper work.

Chris Johns was forced into a save after a shot from Jack Malone from Outside the box.

Kirk Millar then almost scored in bizarre circumstances when he chased after a through ball he never looked getting, but he did, to the surprise of everybody but couldn’t get enough power on the shot to get it past the outrushing goalkeeper.

From the resulting play, came the key moment in the game when Robert Garrett was sent-off for a late tackle on Jamie Mulgrew. I didn’t have the best view of the incident but the TV footage showed it was the correct decision, with Garrett’s team mates doing more protesting over it than Garrett himself.

Linfield had been given a great advantage that they needed to press home.

As they looked to do just that, Joel Cooper had a shot curl just wide.

Eventually, Linfield did take the lead when a low cross found Rhys Annett, who finished low into the bottom corner to put Linfield 1-0 up. Special mention to Kirk Millar who fought to win the ball at the start of the move. If he doesn’t fight to win the ball, Kyle McClean doesn’t have the opportunity to cross it to Rhys Annett.

A man down and a goal down, Glenavon weren’t giving this up without a fight. They didn’t give Linfield much to worry about, but they did give them something to think about.

Linfield’s best chance in the second half came when Matthew Fitzpatrick was played in but his shot across goal hit the post, and Kirk Millar hit the rebound just wide.

Jamie Mulgrew’s afternoon was now over, replaced by Josh Archer.

Linfield needed a second goal just to be sure, and were given a reminder of that from they source they would have known was capable of doing so, when Niall Quinn fires just past the post from a wide position on the left.

Glenavon continued to try and work a way back into the game.

The second goal that Linfield craved almost came when Kyle McClean got a head on the end of a cross but his header hit the bar. The resulting play saw Joel Cooper get in a shot from the edge of the box that needed to be tipped over.

Aodhan Doherty came on for Rhys Annett and he would start the key moment that secured the points for Linfield.

After controlling a ball that came down from the air, he took three Glenavon players out of the game simply by forcing them to try and tackle him. With so much space, he played Joel Cooper through on goal and he finished low across the keeper to make it 2-0.

It was such a lovely bit of play from Doherty. As soon as he passed the ball to Cooper, a goal for Linfield was going to be the only outcome. That’s how good the assist was, and Cooper still had a distance to run as well.

Regular readers will know that i’m never comfortable with a two goal lead. A three goal lead, and then I can relax. On this occasion, with so little time left and Linfield having an extra man, you were confident that the three points were in the bag.

Glenavon had stayed in the game. They looked like a team that needed to get to 1-1 if they were to get something from the game. 2-0 was always going to be beyond them.

Braiden Graham came on for Kirk Millar. Thankfully, on this occasion, it was just to give him minutes rather than chasing the game.

Even though the final stages of the game meandered, Linfield didn’t manage to get through unscathed, with Euan East going off injured. Hopefully, nothing more than a precaution.

Despite that, it was a good day at the office. Three points with no drama, a clean sheet, and there was the bonus of a lovely sunset to watch in the second-half whenever there was a stoppage in play.

Elsewhere, Cliftonville got a win at Loughgall to go with Larne’s win at Seaview on the Friday night so it was as you were at the top of the table.

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LINFIELD 4-3 DUNGANNON SWIFTS 9.12.2023

After all the topsy turvey excitement of the second-half of extra-time against Larne in midweek, Linfield fans were hoping their side would round up the week with a boring routine win as Dungannon Swifts came to Windsor Park.

They got the win, but it was a lot more exciting than people hoped.

Linfield’s starting eleven was a case of who was available.

Not a lot happened early on. Matthew Fitzpatrick thought he was through on goal but he was denied by an offside flag. That was the height of the excitement.

Then, out of nowhere, a quick Dungannon counter attack saw them cut through Linfield’s defence and win a penalty after Chris Johns fouled the attacker trying to get to the ball first, but ended up being second.

Dungannon fans were screaming “OFF!! OFF!! OFF!!”. I’m not sure if they were serious or not.

Johns made an attempt for the ball, the foul was in a wide position and there was a number of Linfield defenders running back to be ready for a shot to try and block it.

Nobody genuinely expected a red card but we had been here before, last season, when he got sent-off for a foul at Stangmore Park in October 2022 when everybody was expecting a yellow card

Thankfully, common sense prevailed and there was no red card. Nobody was expecting one to be issued.

They might have survived a red card claim, but Linfield still had to survive a Dungannon penalty. They didn’t, as Matthew Lusty scored to put Dungannon 1-0 up.

On loan from Larne too. Such is the way things are going for Linfield.

With two defeats from the last three League games, three from four would set alarm bells ringing. Linfield needed an instant response.

The last time Linfield went 1-0 down to Dungannon Swifts at Windsor Park, they equalised within eight seconds of the kick-off.

Not quite this time, but they did have a quick response.

Just a couple of minutes were needed. A corner was worked to Rhys Annett whose shot was blocked. The ball came back to him. As it landed at his feet, I thought to myself “Don’t be trying to shoot again”.

Thankfully, he ignored my internal monologue and fired the ball into the back of the net. The keeper never stood a chance.

It was such a big goal, even at a relatively early stage of the game. The longer Dungannon held on to a 1-0 lead, this had the potential to be a very frustrating afternoon for Linfield, especially coming off two League defeats out of three.

Now we were back to square one, and Linfield were now looking to kick on.

They didn’t quite do that. A lot of attacks were having nice build-up but no end product.

Just as you were looking at Linfield going in at half-time frustrated to be level, they found themselves behind, and it was soon to get worse.

Cahal McGinty got in front of his man at a corner to head home to put Dungannon 2-1.

This was an inconvenience that Linfield could have done without, having already fallen behind. At least if it was 1-1 at half-time, all Linfield would need to do was go out an win the game. Now they were having to come back and win the game.

The task for Linfield was about to get bigger.

As the announcement for the amount of injury time was made, Dungannon went 3-1 with a bizarre own goal. Mike Newberry was wide out right and overhit a backpass which went into his own net.

It was one of those that you knew it was going in as soon as it left his foot. Everybody was stunned when it did. In a “What just happened?” way.

Being 2-1 down was bad enough but more than recoverable from. 3-1 left people with a lot of doubt.

Even though you had to just stick to the belief that Linfield would win because they always come back, there was nothing in that half to suggest they would be getting two goals without reply to get a draw, nevermind the three needed to get a win.

I’m not sure what Chris Johns was doing for the goal. I felt he could have got there, just to stick out a foot and stop it. It looked like he was trying to save it, remembered he couldn’t use his hands and didn’t know what he was to do. A calamity all round.

The goal gets worse when you watch it back on the TV footage. Newberry looked and saw where Johns was, it wasn’t as if he passed it back blindly and was shocked to see that his keeper wasn’t in the goal.

Half-time came at a good time, to give everybody a chance to clear their heads and digest what happened.

If Linfield were to come back, they needed to have a strong start to the second-half. Dungannon couldn’t be allowed to get comfortable with their two goal lead.

That is what we got, but it didn’t instantly bring a goal.

Just over ten minutes is what it took.

Joel Cooper was trying to create room for himself in the box. He wasn’t able to, but the ball fell to Rhys Annett who fired home first time to make it 3-2. Suddenly, it was game on.

Jamie Mulgrew and Aodhan Doherty had now been brought on from the bench. Whenever Linfield got the ball, Jamie Mulgrew wasn’t far away from it, usually guiding or encouraging the team on. He was bringing a calming influence to what had been a very chaotic afternoon.

Having reduced the deficit, what is the one thing that Linfield couldn’t afford to do within the next few minutes?

You’re right, and it almost happened.

Ethan McGee found himself played through running on to a pass. His only option was to hit first time with Chris Johns rushing out and defenders trying to get to him.

If he did that, a goal would be certain.

To the relief of everybody in the South Stand, it hit Chris Johns and went over for a corner.

Even though there was still a good bit of time left in the game, it would have been hard to see Linfield come back from 4-2 down.

Being positive, in a strange way, you were thinking to yourself that there was no way that Linfield would survive a moment like this and not win the game. It’s just one of those moments you can’t survive without winning the game.

Dungannon were next to just about survive, this time from a Linfield corner that just wouldn’t go into the back of the net, despite the various scrambles in the box.

Matthew Fitzpatrick saw a header cleared off the line. The resulting melee saw the ball fall to Euan East, whose effort was cleared off the line. The ball then fell to Rhys Annett who saw his effort blocked and cleared by a Dungannon defender

Despite me shouting “SOMEONE”!!! SOMEONE!!!!” throughout, nobody in a Linfield shirt was able to put the ball into the net. The ball would just not go in.

If Linfield had survived something that you don’t survive without going on to win the match, Dungannon would feel they could say the same thing after that incident.

Soon after, Linfield were left frustrated again when Rhys Annett was played through on goal but he miscontrolled and the ball went straight to Dungannon’s keeper.

There was still time for Linfield to win the game, although it didn’t feel like it due to the amount of timewasting from Dungannon not punished by the Referee.

Being punished by the Referee was James Knowles, who was sent-off for a late tackle on Jamie Mulgrew. They might be trailing but they now had a man advantage. Linfield needed to capitalise on this.

Kirk Millar was next to be frustrated when a cross fell to him but he fired over when the shot really needed to be low because of the angle and the closeness to goal.

I know you always have to keep believing, but this second-half was testing us all. You just had to keep believing that Linfield could get something out of this game.

Following his late heroics against Larne in midweek, Braiden Graham came on from the bench for Josh Archer as Linfield tried to make the most of their extra man by having as many forwards on as possible.

Eventually, Linfield’s pressure was rewarded when Conor Mitchell could only punch a cross to Joel Cooper. Mitchell did make amends by saving Cooper’s shot when it came it, but he couldn’t adjust his body for the rebound, which bounced up and in to make it 3-3.

Five minutes plus stoppage time to go. There wasn’t a lot of time left for Linfield to win this game, but there was still enough time for them to win it. All they needed was one goal.

Despite the relative lack of playing time left, everybody in the South Stand believed that Linfield were going to win this game. Normally if you come from two goals down to get a point, you would take it, but that wasn’t enough.

The belief that Linfield would go on to win the game increased when the board went up for six minutes on injury time. As when Joel Cooper equalised, not a lot of time, but still enough to win the game.

Three of those six minutes had elapsed when Aodhan Doherty ran with the ball and gave it to Braiden Graham. His shot was blocked by a Dungannon defender but the ball spun across the empty space along the six yard box that Kirk Millar burst into and put the ball into the empty net.

It was one of those where you were celebrating before the ball went into the net. As soon as you saw Millar making that run, you knew it was going to be a goal.

I momentarily checked for an offside flag. The way Linfield’s luck had been going all day, it felt like one was going to appear and ruin everybody’s celebrations. Thankfully not.

Celebration Police were out in force to make several arrests for celebrating a last minute winner against a Bottom 6 team.

Yes, the performance wasn’t great and would need to be addressed but the comeback was. Now was not the time to put a dampner on things. How can you not enjoy winning football matches?

Well, the game wasn’t won yet. Still had to navigate the remaining three minutes of injury time without doing anything silly.

Thankfully they didn’t, seeing the game out to win 4-3.

Following two defeats in their previous three games, this was the sort of result that can galvanise a season.

With lots of players on the missing list, it was all about getting through it, which is what they just about did.

Thankfully, there was no game in midweek, with a trip to Glenavon on the following Saturday coming up.

I think we’ll all need a week to recover from this match.

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