Saturdays in Mid Ulster are far better than Tuesdays in North Belfast.
Aside from the trip to Carrick in August, Linfield have manged ok against the Bottom 6. It’s games against the Top 6 that have been the problem.
No drama (Well, apart from the final minutes of the half) and three points, as Linfield signed off January with a win, ahead of a February fixture list that has the potential to make or break their season.
Kirk Millar was back in the starting eleven for the first time since injury.
It would be a case of one in and one out for Linfield as Cameron Palmer had to go off injured and was replaced by Conor Pepper.
Midfielders are in short supply for Linfield at the moment. On the plus side, at least this was the last game of Kyle McClean’s suspension.
Thankfully, Linfield got an early goal. Having struggled for a long time during their previous visit to Shamrock Park this season, it was most welcome.
Joel Cooper won possession out right, played in Eetu Vertainen.
Vertainen was in too wide a position to go for goal, but Cooper chased up with him, making himself an option for a pull back, and when he received it, he simply couldn’t miss.
It was Portadown who had the next big chance of the game, when Eoghan McCawl curled an effort off the post, but it landed perfectly for Cathair Friel, who put the ball over with his outstretched foot, to a less than sympathetic cheer from the away fans packed behind the goal.
To be fair, the ball just hit him, but that wasn’t going to stop anybody from mocking him.
It was a moment that Portadown would be left to rue, as Eetu Vertainen put Linfield 2-0 up with a side foot finish after a bit of a goalmouth scramble.
After that, the game went a bit uneventful for a while. Shouldn’t really complain, this was the sort of game where you just want to get the three points and go home.
As the first-half neared it’s end, suddenly we had a game on as Paddy McNally headed home a free-kick to make it 2-1.
A frustrating end to a comfortable half for Linfield.
On a day when they could have done without any drama, it was set up to be a dramatic afternoon.
It was so important for Linfield to take control of the game as soon as the second-half started, not to give Portadown any encouragement.
They did just that, being camped in Portadown’s half, but it took a while to get a reward for it, until Kirk Millar worked space for himself out the left.
With everybody expecting a left foot cross, he surprised everybody by going for a right foot cross across the six yard box, perfect for Eetu Vertainen to finish from a few yards out to make it 3-1.
Even though it wasn’t totally job done, deep down we all new that there wasn’t enough in Portadown to come back from this.
Another goal would have been nice, just to be absolutely sure.
It came from another Kirk Millar assist, playing in Eetu Vertainen through on goal with only one outcome, a second successive Saturday hat-trick and 4-1 for Linfield.
Points in the bag, Linfield took the opportunity to give some game time to players needing it, with Niall Quinn and Chris McKee coming on.
A free-kick just outside the box looked like it was on a perfect position for Quinn to have an attempt on goal.
Instead, it was teed to Joel Cooper who fired home low to make it 5-1. Keeper should really have done better, not that anybody celebrating cared.
Without playing that well, Linfield were racking up a convincing win. It wasn’t the outright annihilation you would expect for a scoreline like this.
A welcome boost to the goal difference, especially with Cliftonville leading 4-0.
In a title race so tight, you have to account for every possible deciding factor.
That goal difference got a further boost in injury time with a sixth goal from Chris McKee, with his close range effort being saved by the keeper’s legs behind the line.
A second six goal win in Mid Ulster in a fortnight.
January completed but didn’t bring the County Antrim Shield as hoped.
It did bring two League setbacks but there were points in the other games to have some sort of recovery.
With six defeats already, Linfield should be well out of the title race. The inconsistency of others has allowed them to still be in it, albeit chasing.
Even within January, Cliftonville followed up their win over Linfield with draws against Carrick Rangers and Coleraine. Linfield’s wins on those two matchdays meant that actually gained a point on Cliftonville over a three game run despite losing to them.
With each setback though, Linfield are close to entering games where they are at the point of no return, especially with games running out.
Elsewhere that weekend, Brighton beat Liverpool in the FA Cup.
And why is that of relevance?
I’ll be in Brighton in late February. I only realised after I booked that it was the midweek of the FA Cup 5th Round.
Although, I would have been celebrating that result even if I wasn’t going to Brighton.
So, watching the draw, hoping Brighton get a home draw against opposition where tickets might be on general sale.
Talking of tickets, I would be sat in the Living Room listening to Radio Ulster for Linfield’s next match, having missed out on getting one for the Irish Cup clash with Larne.
I had hoped this would be a good omen. I haven’t seen Linfield win an Irish Cup game outside the Final since 2017.
Me not being there was surely going to guarantee victory.
Hopefully, they’ll use those free Saturdays to practice penalties.
Analogue Boy In A Digital World 