David Walsh (GK), Jack Scott, Michael Newberry, Euan East, Ryan McKay (John Robertson 12’), Josh Archer (Braiden Graham 85’), Jamie Mulgrew ©, Kirk Millar, Joel Cooper (Aodhan Doherty 78’), Darragh McBrien (Ceadach O’Neill 78’), Matthew Fitzpatrick (Rhys Annett 78’)
Mckenzie Pauley (GK), Jack Ovens (Ciaran O’Hare 85’), Marc McKenna, Joshua Corry, Tommy Smyth, Leon Bonnes (Adam Calvert 85’), Christopher Middleton (Lorcan McIlroy 73'), Benjamin Mulgrew (C), Mikey Withers, Johnny Muirs, Stewart Nixon
Bet McLean Cup holders Linfield tonight booked their spot in the draw for the second round of the competition with a 3-1 victory over south Belfast neighbours Queen’s University under the lights of Windsor Park.
The last time these two teams met, it brought one of the biggest shocks in Linfield’s 137-year history, as they were knocked out of the Irish Cup by Queen’s at the fifth round stage in a 2-1 defeat at The Dub in January 2020, just months before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Described by David Healy at the time as the worst moment of his football career, the Blues’ boss was aiming to avoid a repeat tonight as he named a strong Linfield starting eleven, despite the six changes from the team that beat Newry City 6-1 at the weekend.
It was more than justified, on a night when several other Premiership clubs were fielding much more youthful teams. Queen’s defended their box excellently all night and were a threat on the break.
And just nine minutes into the tie, some people of Linfield allegiance may have thought “Oh no, surely not again” as the visitors took the lead against the odds. It came from a long free-kick into the Linfield box and QUB striker Stewart Nixon – on loan from Carrick Rangers and formerly of Coleraine – swivelled and finished brilliantly as he clinically rifled a shot into the bottom corner.
And it could have been 2-0 straight away as Stewart Nixon won the ball high up the pitch straight after the opening goal and he had Mikey Withers charging through on goal in space, but he put too much weight on the pass and he’ll be kicking himself for it now.
The Blues had made a slow start, and an injury that ended Ryan McKay’s night just a minute after the goal only added to the frustration. However, David Healy reshuffled things slightly, introduced John Robertson, and his team then started to probe.
Robertson almost scored within minutes of coming on when he was assisted by fellow Scotsman, Euan East, who crossed to the back post area where the forward got his head on it, only to see his effort hooked off the goalline.
Jack Scott was unlucky not to level the scores on 22 minutes when he got across the front post to meet Joel Cooper’s corner delivery, however his shot struck the post. It came back quickly at Euan East who didn’t have much time to readjust his body and he sliced a shot wide.
The equalising goal then did arrive on 27 minutes from a lovely move. Joel Cooper played the ball into John Robertson before darting into the box, and the forward returned the favour with a lovely reverse ball into Cooper who poked the ball across the ‘keeper into the far corner.
The Blues had a couple of close shaves, with Darragh McBrien almost scoring a rocket of a shot from distance that flashed just over, and he also nearly assisted as he beat the full-back and delivered a dangerous cross that Robertson was inches away from converting.
There was almost another twist as Queen’s almost retook the lead on the stroke of half-time. It came from another deep free-kick into the Linfield box and it came out for Johnny Muirs who struck the ball sweetly and was desperately unlucky to see his 20-yard drive strike the crossbar.
Half Time: Linfield 1 – 1 Queen’s University Belfast
There was a lively start to the second half. Linfield went close as Matthew Fitzpatrick latched onto a great long pass by Michael Newberry before seeing a shot well saved by the onrushing ‘keeper. The Blues then left themselves open at the back from the resultant corner, as QUB raced away with a 2v2 scenario. Ultimately, it was wasted as Mikey Withers put too much power on the cross intended for Stewart Nixon in the middle.
QUB ‘keeper McKenzie Pauley was coming up with heroics to keep the scores level, firstly denying Jack Scott with his feet when the defender got a low shot off inside the box, and then a great diving save to push away Kirk Millar’s curling effort from 25 yards which almost replicated his second goal against Newry last weekend.
The Blues finally got their noses ahead on 63 minutes following a piece of invention, taking a quick free-kick to find Kirk Millar inside the box; he was denied by a great save, but Joel Cooper was following up for his second of the night as he hammered in his sixth goal of the season.
Linfield then gave themselves some comfort with a third goal which came on 76 minutes and ultimately killed the game. It was a good goal as Jack Scott played a lovely, pinpoint diagonal pass into John Robertson whose first touch was excellent, and his second touch to put the ball into the net with precision was even better as he netted his first goal for the club.
This allowed David Healy to take some first team regulars off and give experience to some teenage lads, including 15-year-old Ceadach O’Neill who impressed and almost scored an excellent goal as he fired a 20-yard shot just over the crossbar.
For Linfield, it’s now full focus on Friday’s ‘Big Two’ derby against Glentoran at Windsor Park, for which ticket sales are going very well.
Attendance - 556
Full Time: Linfield 3 - 1 Queen’s University Belfast
Match Images
