Ballymena United
Linfield
Match Details
Competition :
Irish Premier League
Linfield Scorer :
Chris McKee 82'
Linfield Yellow Card :
Chris Shields
Ballymena United Yellow Cards :
Mikey Place, Steven McCullough, Kym Nelson, Sean Graham, John McGuigan
Teams
Linfield Team :
Chris Johns (GK), Jack Scott, Daniel Finlayson, Ben Hall, Matthew Clarke, Kirk Millar, Chris Shields, Kyle McClean, Joel Cooper (Jamie Mulgrew 87’), Chris McKee, John Robertson (Darragh McBrien 71')
Linfield Subs not used :
David Walsh (GK), Michael Newberry, Ryan McKay, Rhys Annett, Liam McStravick
Ballymena United Team :
Sean O’Neill (GK), Mikey Place, Scot Whiteside, Kym Nelson, Steven McCullough, John McGuigan (Fiontan O'Boyle 80'), Sean Graham, Fraser Taylor, T.J Murray (Lewis Tennant 88'), Ryan Waide (Jordan Gibson 80'), Johnny McMurray
Ballymena United Subs not used :
Sam Johnston (GK), Caleb Crawford, Jordan McMullan
Report
In the toughest of windswept and drizzly conditions, Linfield recorded a hard-fought victory over Ballymena United at Ballymena Showgrounds this evening as a late strike from Chris McKee proved to be the winner.
The Blues were in the ascendancy for much of the game, but the breakthrough looked as if it might not come. The closest either side came to scoring in the first half was when Jack Scott clipped a wonderful pass over the United backline to send Chris McKee through on goal. McKee’s first touch was perfect and it led to a shot which struck the post.
McKee’s chance came in the 20th minute after a positive start from Linfield. Indeed they were nearly even ahead after just forty seconds when John Robertson – starting in place of the injured Matthew Fitzpatrick – was found by Joel Cooper and his shot from the edge of the box flashed just wide of the far post.
Two corner deliveries from Kirk Millar also produced opportunities for Linfield, with Ben Hall heading over and Jack Scott sliding a near-post effort just wide.
The Sky Blues also went close during the first half through former Linfield Academy midfielder T.J Murray who produced a good touch and an ever better shot from the right which drew an excellent diving save from Chris Johns.
Half Time: Ballymena United 0 – 0 Linfield
United midfielder T.J Murray went close again the other side of the break when the ball came all the way through to him at the back post area from Ryan Waide’s cross, and the block from Chris Shields looked like a vital one at close range to stop the shot travelling any further.
A big moment in the game came on the hour-mark when Linfield thought they’d taken the lead. Kyle McClean took the opportunity to progress into space and he rifled a 25-yard strike which he couldn’t have struck any better. The effort struck the underside of the bar, bounced, and then struck the bar a second time, with replays suggesting the ball possibly crossed the line. The goal wasn’t given, and when Robertson converted the rebound, his goal was chalked off for offside.
The Blues then did find the net, without any doubt on 82 minutes for what proved to be the winning goal. Chris Shields - on his 100th Linfield appearance - won the ball in midfield and drove forward into space with the ball before picking out Chris McKee to his right, and the in-form striker struck the ball between the defender’s legs for his fifth goal of the season.
David Healy’s men managed the game well for their first clean sheet of the season and their third win from as many League outings. And, just for tonight at least, they sit top of the NIFL Sports Direct Premiership.
Full Time: Ballymena United 0– 1 Linfield
Match Images
