Linfield 2-0 Carrick Rangers
Quinn & Millar grab first half goals as the champions ease to a win
Linfield completely dominated Carrick Rangers in a routine 2-0 victory to open the defence of their Irish Premiership title.
The visitors were beginning life under new boss David McAlinden, and were always likely to struggle as they fielded 6 new players in their starting 11.
They were under pressure immediately after kickoff, and Mark Edgar was booked inside first minute for a flying challenge on Kirk Millar by the touchline.
Linfield’s fluid front three of Jordan Stewart, Paul Smyth and Millar proved to be a constant source of frustration for the visitors, who were restricted to long periods of ball-watching as the champions carefully moved the ball about in midfield.
The home side were dominant from the first whistle and the inevitable opener came after a slick passing move down the Blues’ left in the 16th minute.
Captain Jamie Mulgrew spotted Niall Quinn in space inside the box, and the fullback collected a first-time pass before drilling a precise, low shot into the far corner.
Linfield were completely in control and it was simply a matter of time before the 2nd goal arrived.
It eventually came 6 minutes before half-time through Millar, who flew in to head home from 6 yards, connecting with a driven cross from the left by Quinn.
Early into the second half, a replica of the same move should have resulted in the third Linfield goal, but Millar planted his header well wide.
The Blues continued to control the game with ease, and when Stewart danced past several Carrick tackles in the 70th minute, he was cut down by Denver Gage to concede a penalty.
However, visiting keeper Harry Doherty guessed correctly and got down low to his left to make the save and frustrate Stewart, who took out his anger on a few stray water bottles, booting them clear of the advertising boards.
Mark Haughey almost added a Linfield third with a header from a Quinn cross, before Carrick’s best chance of the day was scooped over the bar by Dale Malone after some fine work by Lee Chapman.