|
|
|
|
|
Linfield Match Preview
Uploaded Friday, 2nd Sep, 2022 at 15:36
|
|
|
|
|
BALLYMENA United host champions Linfield at the Showgrounds on Saturday afternoon.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The last meeting between the sides was in March at the Showgrounds, Linfield running out 2-0 winners thanks to a freak own goal from Steven McCullough, and a penalty from Chris Shields after Sean Graham brought Jamie Mulgrew down in the box.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Latest results v Linfield:
|
|
|
Ballymena United 0-2 Linfield, Ballymena Showgrounds, 8th March 2022. Att: 1460
Linfield 1-0 Ballymena United, National Stadium, 15th January 2022. Att: 2199
Linfield 1-0 Ballymena United, National Stadium, 21st December 2021. Att: 2019
Ballymena United 3-1 Linfield, Ballymena Showgrounds, 9th November 2021. (BetMcLean League Cup Round Quarter-Final)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Linfield:
|
|
|
The season started with European ties for Linfield, defeating Welsh side TNS over two legs in the UEFA Champions League Qualifiers, before going on to lose 8-1 on aggregate to Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in the second round of the qualifiers. They dropped into the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round where Swiss side Zurich defeated the Blues 5-0 on aggregate. Then came a play-off for a place in the group stages of the UEFA Conference League, but came up against Latvian side RFS who defeated them on penalties to end their European tour.
In the Danske Bank Premiership, Linfield have defeated Portadown 4-0 at home, beaten Newry City 3-1 away from home and losing 2-1 away to Carrick Rangers last Sunday. They sit in 6th place in the Danske Bank Premiership, having played 3 games, a point behind Larne and level with Carrick Rangers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ballymena United:
|
|
|
|
United started off with a 2-2 home draw against Glenavon, going on to defeat Dungannon Swifts 2-0 away from home before defeats to Cliftonville and Larne. They sit 8th in the table after 4 games, 2 points behind Carrick Rangers and level with Glenavon.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tickets:
|
|
|
|
Tickets for Ballymena United supporters are available at Tickets - Home Fans.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Entrance/Exit arrangements:
|
|
|
Ballymena United spectators will only be able to gain entry from the ECOS side of the stadium, in other words all spectators travelling to this match by car should drive to the roundabout on the Broughshane Road and take the turn off signposted to ECOS and follow Kernoghan's Lane into the car park at the rear of the Showgrounds.
Any home spectators walking to the stadium should walk down Suffolk Street onto Farm Lodge Avenue and make their way to Gate E, then around the new 2G pitch and along the rear of the Main Stand to the turnstiles at Gate P.
Slemish Drive turnstiles will NOT be open for this match and Slemish Drive car park will not be available for use by Ballymena United Supporters.
Supporters are also advised that at the end of the match Ballymena United spectators will be required to leave via gate P and on towards ECOS centre/Kernoghans Lane then Broughshane Road.
There will be no egress towards Slemish Drive or Warden Street egress to Suffolk Street may be subject to a short delay.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Your understanding and assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated by the club.
|
|
|
|
Match Officials:
|
|
|
|
Referee: Jamie Robinson. Assistant 1: Paul Robinson. Assistant 2: Stephen Donaldson. 4th Official: Christopher Morrison.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Match Information:
|
|
|
|
The match kicks off at 3:00pm.
|
|
|
|
Linfield have already made it clear they're looking for a reaction after losing two games, in a row, first being knocked out of Europe then, last weekend, losing to Carrick Rangers in the league. Ballymena United, meanwhile, will be eager to make up for lost chances so far this season with a win over the biggest target in the league. Make your way to the Showgrounds and get behind YOUR team as they attempt to get a second win on the board - Come On Sky Blues!
|
|
|
|
Match Preview by Paul Irwin
|
|
|
