Shevlin’s late strike leaves Blues’ push for glory in tatters
ORAN Kearney’s Coleraine last night almost certainly blew Linfield’s title chances out of the water with this result at Windsor Park.
With now only two games remaining, it appears next Monday’s showdown with Larne at the international venue will lose its spice, with Tiernan Lynch’s men in pole position to retain the title they won for the first time in the club’s history last season.
They now have a three-point cushion at the top of the Sports Direct Premiership table. It will take an almighty collapse if the red and white ribbons are not draped on the Gibson Cup over the next couple of weeks.
The Blues last lost back on February 16 — ironically against the Bannsiders at Ballycastle Road. Kearney’s men again proved to be their bogey team, this result severely denting Linfield’s hopes of claiming a treble trophy success.
They can, however, still do a Cup double. The Blues already have the Betmclean Cup sitting proudly in the boardroom — and they have a date in the Irish Cup Final against Cliftonville early next month.
It started badly for Healy’s team with Jamie Mcgonigle shooting the Bannsiders into a first-half lead.
The Blues responded after the break with substitute Matthew Fitzpatrick levelling before Chris Shields converted from the spot. But the drama was reserved for the 96th minute when Matthew Shevlin headed a last-gasp equaliser.
Following their win against Crusaders at Seaview on Friday, Healy named only one change in his starting XI, handing striker Chris Mckee a starting shirt in place of Fitzpatrick.
It meant the influential Shields started for only the second time since February 20 — he was missing with a knee injury.
Coleraine chief Kearney was forced the alter the team that beat Glentoran last time out. Dean Jarvis and 16-year-old Alfie Gaston — his first start — were drafted in to replace Stevie O’donnell and Aidan Tejada.
It was the visitors who had the first sight at goal.
Former Linfield man Jack Scott whipped in a delicious cross from the right that was met by the usually lethal Matthew Shevlin, but he could only head into the gloves of goalkeeper Chris Johns, making his 400th Irish League appearance.
Coleraine got the goal their performance deserved 60 seconds before the interval. Carson’s superb pin-point pass totally split the Blues defence and when Mcgonigle gobbled it up, he blasted low and hard past Johns.
The Blues were level early in the second half. Millar whipped in one of his trademark deliveries from the right and Fitzpatrick got in front of Farren to flick home with his head.
When Fitzpatrick went down under a challenge from Kelly on the edge of the box, seconds later, referee Christopher Morrison did duly pointed to the spot after consultation with is linesman.
The reliable Shields stepped up to blast home the penalty.
Linfield, now rampant, were then almost out of site when Cooper’s corner found Mckee and his snapshot was somehow kicked off the line by shot-stopper Brown. And, they had another big chance just on 90 minutes when Braiden Graham and Millar combined on the right only for Fitzpatrick to volley wide.
But with the clock ticking down — it was the 96th minute — Jamie Glackin floated in a cross from the right which was met by Shevlin and he ballooned the net from six yards.
LINFIELD: Johns, Finlayson, Shields, Millar, Mcclean, Cooper (Newberry 82), Hall, Clarke (Fitzpatrick 46), Mckee (Mccullough 90), Mulgrew (Graham 55), Mcgee. Unused subs: Walsh, Mcbrien, Annett.
COLERAINE: Brown, Kane, D Jarvis (A Scott 82), Kelly, Shevlin, Carson, Farren, Glackin, J Scott, Mcgonigle (Lynch 64), Gaston (Mckendry 64). Unused subs: Gallagher, A Jarvis, Mcdaid, Devine. Referee: Christopher Morrison.
Man of the match: Danial Finlayson. Match rating: 7/10