Football: Miguel's magic

A FIRST HALF barrage saw Linfield brush aside any challenge Lisburn Distillery had to offer at New Grosvenor yesterday.

There were no less than seven chances for the visitors in an opening 20-minute spell, the earliest coming after only 45 seconds when Stephen Shaw found space behind the defence but fired wide.

Phil Matthews then saved from Glenn Ferguson before Miguel Chines put the visitors firmly in the driving seat. He slotted home from the edge of the area after Ferguson had knocked the ball on.

It was backs-to-the-wall for the Whites before Ferguson scored for the fourth successive game, firing in a ball knocked back to him from Hugh Dickson in the 18th minute.

The Whites couldn't afford to concede any more before the break and although Ferguson headed into the side netting just before the interval, they held on.

Distillery had limited opportunities in the first half, and manager Paul Kirk was none too happy about his side's performance.

"I am angry with the goals that we conceded, we conceded horrendous goals. Certain players have greatly disappointed me.

"We have talked about it, I am fed up talking about it and now's the time to leave people out."

In the second half they faired slightly better and might have nicked something but the Blues were just too good.

Indeed, they might have increased their lead in the last 10 minutes; Matthews denying Ferguson and Shaw while the woodwork saved them after Russell Kelly headed goalward.

The Blues are gathering momentum and will be there at the season's end.

Boss David Jeffreys said: "I am delighted with the first half performance and pleased that we have got into a good run of form.

"Second half we didn't reach the heights, but credit to Distillery, they came out and fought like tigers.

"They made it very difficult for us after the break and they never gave up in the second half.

"We toughed it out which was very pleasing and in the last 10 minutes we could have had another couple of goals."

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