Linfield FC

Windsor Park, the National Stadium of Northern Ireland and the home of Linfield FC based in Belfast and play their trade in the Northern Ireland Premiership.

For the first time ever I am setting foot in Belfast and Northern Ireland! This will be my 5th country watching football in and I am starting with the big one! Bel Classico! Linfield FC vs Glentoran! Northern Ireland’s 2 most successful clubs! Let’s have it!

It’s a very early start as I head to Manchester Airport Terminal 1. 04:25am and this is officially the earliest pint of Guinness I have ever had!! Starting as I mean to go on! Onto the plane and 40 odd minutes later, here I am in Belfast International Airport! The bus into town and here I am just as it’s getting light out.

A little walk around the city centre just in time for the pubs to open and I am starting with the Crown! Strongly recommended by many including my CEO at work! What a beautifully decorated bar this is as well! The Guinness… Better than England but not as good as Dublin.

Time rolls on and the game is getting closer so it’s time to head to the Windsor area! £13 to watch this tie! WHAT?! The ground is filling up slowly with the Linfield ultras getting themselves ready with the top tier to my left slowly filling up with Glentoran fans!

Out come the teams! It’s Bel Classico! It’s the Belfast Derby! IT’S THE BIG TWO!! LET’S GO!!

Kick Off! 5 minutes in and Glentoran win themselves a corner, in it comes… The header… Over! A good start for Glentoran there! The Linfield ultras are in great sprits here so far!!

4 minutes later and here come Linfield now, Joel Cooper wins the ball and has a run at Glentoran, he shoots from outside the box… Wide!

17th minute and Linfield play down the left, they get into the box and it’s played to Matthew Clarke who shoots first time… Wide!

28th minute and Linfield are starting to take control of this game and here comes Ben Hall, 30 yards out and he goes for goal… Straight at the keeper! The Linfield ultras continue to make some noise and are bouncing!

36 minutes on the clock and Linfield come again, it’s played into the box from the right and the keeper comes for it… He gets to it but it’s only fallen back to Chris Shields on the edge of the box and he unleashes a first time shot… Deflected… AND IT’S IN!!! LINFIELD LEAD!!! 1-0!! Brilliant strike!

“MY OLD MAN SAID BE A LINFIELD FAN!” What a chant this is! Very catchy and it sounds spectacular when the fans belt it out which they are doing now!

44th minute and Linfield come forward again, it’s played forward… Uh-oh! Was that a foul in the box there…? “Yes!” Says the Referee! Penalty!! What was the Glentoran man thinking there! Chris Shields has a chance to make it 2… AND HE DOES!! Cool as you like! 2-0! That is how it remains at half time.

Second half, Glentoran have come out fighting so far! 52 minutes on the clock and they play forward down the right, it’s played in and it comes nicely for Shay McCartan… OH NO! He’s missed the ball completely and Linfield are reprieved!

Glentoran are pressing but Linfield’s back line are proving too strong with wayward shots and just not being able to get in behind… The Linfield ultras continue to make noise as the Glentoran fans are leaving… Linfield hold on for the win!

FT: Linfield 2-0 Glentoran

Ratings

• Atmosphere: 9/10 – The Linfield ultras were amazing!! A bit quiet second half but still were in great spirits! Love the “MY OLD MAN SAID BE A LINFIELD FAN!”
• The Ground: 8/10 – Great stadium! Shades of Coventry, Rotherham & Millwall in my eyes and I love it!
• Expense: 10/10 – Despite the travel and accommodation costs, £13 to watch the biggest game in Northern Ireland is amazing!
• Overall Experience: 8/10 – Really enjoyed my first taste of Northern Irish football! Great to tick off the ground and the Derby!

35/40