Linfield's
long run comes to tame end at Windsor
Oh no - it has happened. Linfield's ambition of going through
the season undefeated crashed at Windsor today.
There
were no ifs or buts about it either; the Whites were much more
creative, penetrative and indeed but for four excellent saves
by goalkeeper Alan Mannus the Blues would have lost by a heavier
margin.
All
credit from the Whites.
They
came back from being a goal down scored by Peter Thompson in the
12th minute and, showing no signs of being overawed hit back with
three - John Martin (29), Andrew Dickson (53) and Gareth McKeown
73).
Were
Linfield's thoughts on collecting the championship trophy from
the Carnegie Metrolpolitan University, the promotors? Or had they
turned to Tuesday's Setanta Cup semi final against Drogheda?
One
thing is certain: manager David Jeffrey was not a happy man at
this performance. His aim was to go through the season without
losing, as had other giants of the past.
This
was Linfield's first defeat in 54 matches, including the Setanta
Cup.
Martin
was superb in the Distillery attack. So too was Andrew Dickson
and Francis Murphy but give credit to them all for the way they
battled and also produced skilful football played at pace which
exposed deficiencies in the Linfield back division.
Almost
another own goal at the start when William Murphy, at the near
post looked as if he had deflected the ball over the line.
Play ebbed and flowed in a match which never lacked excitement.
Dickson took the ball outside the fullback, kept it low before
releasing a drive which Mannus brilliantly tipped away.
Linfield
however swept into the lead. Thompson, perfectly judging high
ball which seemed to hang in the air, ensured he was not offside
and then beat the keeper in a one-to-one situation.
Distillery
were certainly not overawed. And Francis Murphy, in the inside
left position attempted to chip Mannus, hit the crossbar and Martin,
following up, headed into the net.
Mannus
was Linfield's hero, producing those superb saves from Martin's
header and then another fierce Murphy drive.
And
then came the Whites second goal -and the lead.
Eight
minutes of the second half had gone when Martin went near with
a free header from a corner another example of Linfield's inept
defensive covering.
There
was a flatness, a fatigue syndrome about the Blues and when Distillery
got their third goal it was mission over.
Darren
Armour created the move for McKeown to beat the keeper, raise
his shirt to his face and Linfield's unbeaten run had ended.
LINFIELD: Mannus, Ervin, McShane, Gault, EW Murphy, Kearney,
(Picking 52), Thompson, Mulgrew (Jephcott 74), Ferguson, capt,
O'Kane (Larmour 74), Hunter.
LISBURN
DISTILLERY: Matthews, McKeown, Ferguson, McCann, Buchanan,
capt, Muir, Dickson (Kilmartin 85), Hagan, Casey (Armour 51),
Martin (McLaughlin 81), F Murphy.
REFEREE:
Alan Black (Antrim).
