Match Preview: Linfield v Cliftonville

Submitted : 15th August 2008 at 3:26:51 PM

At last the new look JJB Sports Irish Premier League gets underway with a game against Cliftonville. It was of course supposed to start last week away to Lisburn Distillery but that game was postponed due to industrial action by the referees.

Games really don’t come much tougher than this in the league. Last year both league games against Cliftonville were draws. Linfield did get the better of Cliftonville in the semi final of the Irish Cup but it was Eddie Patterson’s team that ended Linfield’s hopes in the County Antrim Shield. Bluemen of course will not forget, despite trying to, the last time we started the league with a home game against Cliftonville. The Reds give Linfield a lesson in football that day and comfortably won 3-0. That was the only defeat though that the Blues suffered in the league that season and they went on to win the league.

On the player front, Jim Ervin is obviously out with a long-term injury. New signing, Jonathan Harkness will also be unavailable due to injury. Oran Kearney is working on getting back to full fitness after muscular problems and another new signing, John Martin is back in full training after being out for a while with injury. Michael Carvill got a run out for Linfield Swifts through the week and scored a goal but is still fighting to get fully match fit.

Three points in this game against one of our main title rivals would be a perfect start in our quest for a fourth consecutive league title. There is certain to be a big crowd at this game so it is vital that all support given is appropriate to all of our players and that every player gets the full backing of our support.