• Home
• Fixtures
• Match Report

Match Details

Teams

Report

A much-changed Linfield team were edged out by Finn Harps at Windsor Park this afternoon in the Blues’ final pre-season friendly.

Fit-again Joel Cooper was one of the standout performers and it was fitting that he would score the opener on nine minutes. Much of the credit must go to the trialist for his darting run and low cross from the right side. Shayne Lavery turned it goalwards and after the goalkeeper’s best efforts, Cooper followed up to slot into an empty net.

Cooper also won Linfield a penalty on 21 minutes when he was brought down after a trademark surging run but Andrew Mitchell’s effort from the spot was well saved by the outstretched Peter Burke to his left.

Lorcan Forde also went close for David Healy’s side when he met Andrew Mitchell’s corner with a glancing header but Peter Burke made a great diving save. The Finn Harps goalkeeper – formerly of Cliftonville – also made a good save to deny Shayne Lavery when the Linfield striker won possesion and drove his way forward into the box before seeing his low shot saved by the feet of Burke.

The visitors responded with what was their first shot on target on 43 minutes. The ball dropped kindly in the Linfield box for striker Immanuel Doyle and he produced a fine volley into the far corner.

Half Time: Linfield 1 – 1 Finn Harps

There was a big let off for Linfield when a blues player dwelled on the ball inside his own box and Harps nicked possesion but Alex Moore got out quickly to make a great save.

The visitors took the lead on 67 minutes when a deep header was headed back across goal and midfielder Liam Walsh nipped in across goal to slot the ball home.

The Blues had a good chance when Daniel Reynolds slipped the ball to the trialist but his shot from a good position was straight at the goalkeeper. Ryan Strain also headed wide from Kian Stoney’s cross.

The most pleasing aspect of this friendly for David Healy will be getting Josh Robinson and Joel Cooper minutes under their belts as they return from injury, with the latter looking sharp ahead of Thursday’s crunch Europa League second round second leg against HB Torshavn. Young left back Callum McVeigh and Jake Corbett at right back also deserve credible mentions for impressive performances.

Full Time: Linfield 1 – 2 Finn Harps

Match Images