Soccer

Larne hold Linfield at Windsor to all but wrap up back-to-back titles

Point means champions’ greater goal difference as good as confirms title win

Andy Ryan celebrates scoring for Larne against Linfield in the Sport Direct Premiership match at Windsor Park on Monday night Picture: Andrew McCarroll/ Pacemaker Press
Andy Ryan celebrates scoring for Larne against Linfield in the Sport Direct Premiership match at Windsor Park on Monday night Picture: Andrew McCarroll/ Pacemaker Press (Andrew McCarroll/Andrew McCarroll/ Pacemaker Press)
By Ian Cahoon
Sports Direct Premiership: Linfield 1 Larne 1

LARNE have as good as wrapped up back-to-back titles after taking a point at Windsor Park last night.

Andy Ryan’s penalty in the first half cancelled out Leroy Millar’s early own goal as both clubs go into the final day with Larne leading the table by three points and a better goal difference of 17.

Barring a miraculous turn of events they will again lift the Gibson Cup after their home game against Coleraine.

Linfield came into the game without club captain Jamie Mulgrew, who came off injured on a dramatic night of action against Coleraine last Tuesday, and fellow midfielder Josh Archer.

Larne were a man light in the middle themselves, with Joe Thomson’s hamstring problem keeping him out, however they were able to welcome back former Manchester United defender Ro-Shaun Williams.

PACEMAKER PRESS BELFAST 22-04-24 Sports Direct Premiership Linfield v Larne Kyle McClean of Linfield tackles Chris Gallagher of Larne during this Evening’s game at NFS @ Windsor Park Belfast. Photo - Andrew McCarroll/ Pacemaker Press
Kyle McClean of Linfield tackles Chris Gallagher of Larne (Andrew McCarroll/Andrew McCarroll/ Pacemaker Pres)

It was the home side who began brightly and took the game to Larne.

David Healy, who went for an attacking line-up including teenage sensation Braiden Graham, had obviously asked his men to make life uncomfortable for the Invermen and they did just that.

They had an early penalty appeal turned down then Kirk Millar went down under a challenge from Leroy Millar, but referee Tony Clarke waved away the appeals.

However, with 21 minutes on the clock they took the lead.

Kirk Millar’s inswining corner from he left caused problems in the Larne defence and the ball ended up in the back of the net, with Millar looking like he had got the final touch.

It was no less than Linfield deserved in the opening exchanges.

Larne looked to respond and they opened Linfield up with some impressive attacking play on 34 minutes.

Tomas played a one-two with Andy Ryan before being nudged by Joel Cooper, with referee Clarke this time pointing to the spot.

Ryan stepped up to roll the ball into the bottom right corner to level the match.

Linfield had chances either side of the break from Chris McKee, who fired over from a Daniel Finlayson knockdown and Braiden Graham when his header was off target from Millar’s cross.

Linfield continued to press for the goal they needed to change the title picture, with a set piece looking their most likely route to grab the second of the night.

However, it was Larne who almost took the lead on 77 minutes when Lee Bonis was put through on goal, but Chris Johns stood tall to make a big save.

Linfield came within a whisker of retaking the lead when Chris McKee’ clipped the outside of the post with the final chance of the night.

Linfield: Johns, Finlayson, Shields, Millar, McClean, Cooper (’79 Doherty), Hall, McKee (’86 Annett), McGee (’84 Devine), Fitzpatrick, Graham (’79 Stewart)

Subs: Walsh, Clarke, McCullough

Larne: Ferguson, Donnelly, Randall (’60 Sloan), Bonis, Bolger, Millar (’51 Glynn), Cosgrove,  Gallagher, Ryan (’81 O’Neill), Williams, Orozco (’81 Kearns)

Subs: McAdams, Allan, Westendorf

Referee: Tony Clarke