The top four sides in the Irish Premiership come face-to-face tomorrow in the first round of the ToalsBet.Com Co Antrim Shield, as leaders Linfield host fourth placed (and reigning champions) Larne, whilst second placed Crusaders are at home to Glentoran, currently occupying third.
As the first cup competition of the season gets underway, managers will be deciding to “stick or twist” with their teams. Do they start their stars, or do they rest the treasured few and give youth a chance?
Starting with the Windsor Park matchup, it will be the first meeting of Linfield and Larne this season, but it will also be a re-match of last year’s Co Antrim Shield Final. On that occasion, the Inver Reds ran out winners at Seaview in a final full of controversy.
Blues’ midfielder Kyle McClean was sent off in the game, as was manager David Healy and his assistant. Tiernan Lynch’s side then were “kings of the kicks” in a penalty shootout to win their third title in a row.
Healy’s troops moved to the top of the table after Saturday’s emphatic 3-1 victory away to Coleraine. McClean got on the scoresheet, as well as Chris McKee and Chris Shields. Larne, on the other hand, trounced a poor Newry City side 4-0 at Inver Park, with summer arrival Levi Ives scoring a brace.
With an impressive bulk of signings arriving throughout the summer in addition to Ives, including Ali Omar (Torquay), Scott Allan (Arbroath), Jaziel Orozco (Real Salt Lake), Aidan Dowling (Blackburn), Corey Smith (Dungannon), Kieran Lloyd (Wigan), Tuesday’s game will present Lynch with an opportunity to see what these new recruits have to offer.
The clash could also provide an opportunity for new signing Euan East to make his debut in the Linfield defence if Healy is in the mood to rotate. The last two fixtures between the sides ended in draws last term and there won't be much to choose between the teams this evening. It will come down to desire for Larne to pick up a fourth shield win on the bounce or for Linfield to gain revenge from last year.
Elsewhere tomorrow, Crusaders will be hoping to get another cup run underway after having won the Irish Cup back in May and the Charity Shield in July. In their way will be Warren Feeney’s Glentoran. The two sides have some recent history, having only played one another seven days ago. That eventful game ending in a 2-2 draw with Bobby Burns (Glens) and Jordan Forsythe (Crues) seeing red as well as Feeney himself.
The Hatchetmen only managed a point on Saturday when they hosted new boys Loughgall in the league. Stephen Baxter’s side failed to convert numerous chances on the day, either side of a Paul Heatley goal, allowing Benji Magee to hit back for the Co Armagh side. It is unlikely they will leave Seaview as winners tonight, if they are to blow as many chances again.
The Glens had an impressive 1-0 victory over Cliftonville on Saturday to highlight their title credentials. Niall McGinn with a piece of individual brilliance late on to take all three points for his team.
In a tight matchup, the home side might just have enough to get Baxter’s side over the line this time around.
The only other all-premiership tie sees Carrick Rangers host Cliftonville at Taylor’s Avenue, with both sides trying to get some consistency and some silverware.
The full round of fixtures is as follows:
Ballymena United v Knockbreda FC
Ards v Queens University
Linfield v Larne
Dundela v Newington
H&W Welders v Ballymacash Rangers
Carrick Rangers v Cliftonville
Crusaders FC v Glentoran
Bangor v Ballyclare Comerades
