Belfast Challenge Tournament

24th July 99

  Glentoran 2 Linfield 2

Glens Fail to Hold Lead

From Zero to Hero. That's been the story for midfielder Gary Porter in the Carlsberg Belfast Challenge torunament. In his first game for Linfield on Thursday he scored an own goal which set Liverpool on their way to a 4-0 victory but today at Windsor Park he was saviour for the Blues scoring a late equaliser to give his side a share of the spoils. His goal will certainly be remembered by the Linfield supporters because they hate losing to the old enemy and former Watford man will hope David Jeffrey will recall it with relisah too. After all Porter is on trial and is trying to secure a contract with the club. Early on David Larmour had given the Blues the lead and for long periods it looked like being the only goal but the Glens substitutes Darren Finlay and David Rainey used their heads to full effect by finding the net in the second half. Not surprisingly the game started off at a cracking pace quite a difference from the previous matches in the tournament.

The Blues were first into their stride with Stephen Beatty producing a couple of dangerous crosses the second giving midfielder Norman Kelly the chance to head home but his effort sailed wide. Clearly the Glens were up for this one as well though. The tackles were floodinging in.Friendly?Not on your life. The fans love these games and while Liverpool V Feyenoord was probably the main attraction this afternoon there was a quite a sizeable crowd inside Winsor Park when Linfield took the lead through Larmour on 14 minutes. Beatty was again involved for his skipper Noel Bailie in an uncustomed striking position and when his shot was blocked the ex Anfield reserve poked home from eight yards. How he enjoyed the moment in front of the Kop. Two minutes later the Blues should have doubled their lead when Jamie Marks did all the hard work by latching on to Bailie's long ball and beat John Kennedy inside the box only to curl his right foot shot wide. Linfield suffered a blow on 28 minutes when Beatty was taken off injured, replaced by Pat McShane. That seemed to effect their attacking rhythm and it didn't do much for the Glens either as the match entered a dull period. Strangely referee David Malcolm blew up for the break after only 41 minutes. They may have been a little behind schedule but surely the full 45 should have taken place. Justin McBride and David Rainey came on to start the second half for Paul Leeman and Rory Hamill respectively and with those changes the Glens made a lively opening. Indeed but for a terrific save by Robert Robinson from Stuart Elliott's clever free kick the Oval side would have drawn level on 47 minutes. Linfield were still looking capable themselves and on 54 minutes a through ball by Kelly sent Larmour away although his finish was tame with Alan Gough making a comfortable save. Scott Young connected brilliantly with a Colin Nixon cross to head goal bound but David Henry on for Robinson made a top class save.

The Oval outfit however were upping the ante and it was no surprise when they equalised on 73 minutes through one of those numerous replacements ex QPR man Finlay. The little man rose high at the back post to direct Tim McCann's right wing cross into the net. It was a fine finish from a gifted player who rarely makes a start but always seems to do well in Big Two games. After having the lead for so long Linfield were all of a sudden stung into action and could consider themselves unfortunate not to go ahead seconds later when young substitute Philip Rogan outwitted two defenders before just firing wide. The Blues continued to press with Kelly having his shot blocked and at that stage they looked the likelier winners. But write Glentoran off at your peril. Against the odds remember this was their third game in four days, it was they who took the lead although they were helped by a monumental error from Linfield keeper David Henry on 81 minutes. It all looked comfortable for the young custodian as he attempted to clear a long ball but he sliced his kick in the air and Rainey made him pay by calmly heading the ball into the empty net. It was similar to Colin Clarke's bizarre goal for Northern Ireland in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. This game however was destined to finish all square with Porter striking home Stephen Collier's cross on 89 minutes. So all's fair in love and war in the first big two derby of the season. This one was pretty entertaining although I get the feeling there's much more to come in the campaign ahead.

Referee Mr David Malcolm