The Linfield manager defended the groundsman over the state of the surface, saying he ‘has been left on his own with no afterthought given’
David Healy’s Linfield beat gutsy Ballymena United 1-0 at Windsor Park to book their place in the final of the BetMcLean Cup on Wednesday night. It was by no means a classic, played on a gluepot of a pitch, but Isaac Baird’s early goal was enough to punch the Blues’ ticket to the showcase decider.
Blues boss Healy hit out at the state of the Windsor Park pitch afterwards, saying it was ‘borderline unplayable’. Wednesday night’s other semi-final was called off due to an unplayable pitch at The Oval.
“The pitch is tough, it is borderline unplayable at times and that’s no disrespect to Matt, the groundsman who has been left on his own with no afterthought given, so that’s disappointing,” Healy told BBC. “I’m disappointed for Matt because it’s not his fault, he needs a little bit of help and my question would be if there are international games in and around this period there’s no way the pitch would be the standard it is at the minute.
“Gary Haveron was heavily critical of it as was Oran [Kearney] and Lee Feeney in recent weeks and that’s frustrating because everyone is talking about improving everything, the infrastructure and pitches and if we can’t as the national football stadium no one else can.”
There is extra significance attached this season’s Bet McLean Cup of course due to the fact the eventual winners will earn a place in the end-of-season NIFL European Play-off Final.
“I thought we were deserved winners,” Healy reflected. “We should have created better opportunities in the game. I thought in some moments our play was good and we linked the ball well.
“Straight away the overriding emotion is really pleased to be in a cup final and I thought the performance levels and clean sheet were good.”
The last time the teams met in the competition, Ballymena United enjoyed a 3-1 success at the Showgrounds in the 2019-20 season – there was never any chance of a repeat showing.
It took Healy’s team 10 minutes to carve out the first opening. Great vision by Matt Yates sent Matthew Fitzpatrick clear and, having spotted goalkeeper Brad Wade leave his line, the big striker tried a subtle lob from distance, which flew wide.
United retaliated with Patrick McEleney surging forward from midfield, but when he sent in a 25-yard shot, it fizzed over the crossbar.
The home fans were celebrating on 12 minutes with Baird’s breakthrough goal. Dane McCullough whipped in a great corner kick from the right and the former Glenavon man made a run to the near post to head home.
Baird almost did it again seven minutes later. This time he picked up a delightful reverse pass from Kyle McClean and, after tricking his way past David Toure, his low shot was saved at the near post by Wade.
Having soaked up pressure for most of the half, United were gifted a rare chance on 23 minutes. Striker Success Edogun dispossessed Blues’ striker Darragh Leahy and, after a 25-yard solo dash, he failed to find the net, goalkeeper Chris Johns rushing off his line to save.
The Blues almost struck again seconds before half-time. Ethan McGee was the provider this time, his cross picking out Fitzpatrick, whose acrobatic bicycle kick flashing just over the crossbar.
Linfield should have extended their lead practically from the restart, with McGee’s cross finding Yates, whose first time volley was superbly beaten away by Wade.
They threatened again on 56 minutes. McClean’s quickly taken throw-in caught the visiting defence napping, leaving Yates in the clear, but Wade produced a stunning save to keep out the striker’s blistering effort.
With the clock ticking down, United at last began to threaten at the other end. Kian Corbally produced a piercing run through the middle before finding Success Edogun, who could only shoot into the gloves of Johns.
Seconds later Corbally hit a thundering drive from the edge of the box that Johns was relieved to see arrow inches past the post.
Then in the dying seconds, Edogun had a clear run on goal and, just as he was about to pull the trigger, McCullough produced a goal-saving block.
