Linfield boss David Healy chomping at bit for second crack at Shelbourne after seeing off Vikingur
The Blues set up another mouth-watering all-Ireland heavyweight showdown with the Dublin side in a Uefa Conference League Play-Off with the winners earning a place in the group stages and at least £2.6million in prize money.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
19 minutes ago
- Daily Record
East Kilbride 3 Stranraer 1: Kilby strike late on to edge Blues in dramatic finish
Kilby made it back-to-back wins in League Two East Kilbride left it late to grab their first home win in the SPFL - sending a trio of ex-gaffers home empty-handed on their K-Park return. The Blues sported THREE former Kilby managers in the dugout, with Chris Aitken, Stevie Aitken and Martin Fellowes all having been at the helm in the past few years. But after giving their former employers a scare, Kilby struck twice in the final nine minutes to edge some familiar faces in a dramatic finish to the League Two that also saw scorer Joao Balde sent off. Stranraer looked like they might take a point when Sallu Turay struck four minutes into the second half to cancel out John Robertson's 33rd minute opener from the penalty spot. However, Rhys Breen blasted home inside the box in the final nine minutes and then Joao Balde netted a diving header to make it back-to-back wins for Mick Kennedy's men after their opening day defeat at home to Spartans. Balde was booked in the aftermath of his goal, with something clearly said by one of the visiting supporters as he celebrated, and he picked up a second booking just moments later to get his marching orders. It leaves EK third in the table after three games. Kilby made just one change from their midweek Challenge Cup win over Queen of the South, as John Robertson came into the starting line-up at the expense of Jack Healy. The visitors named the same side that defeated Alloa in cup action, with ex-EK man BJ Coll on the bench. Inside six minutes Kilby came agonisingly close to taking an early lead when Sean Fagan made a great run in behind and his delivery across the face of goal was a whisker away from being met by skipper Jack Leitch at the back post, but his outstretched leg couldn't get a touch on it to turn the ball home. Lewis Dobbie had the ball in the back of the net for EK just moments later with a thumping volley from the edge of the box, but the near-side official had his flag up for an offside in the build-up. The Blues went close themselves in the ninth minute when Finn Ecrepont burst down the right and his pinpoint cross picked out Corey O'Donnell. However, the former Motherwell kid couldn't divert his effort on target from a great position. In 16 minutes Dobbie was denied at point-blank range when his header was well kept out by Josh Lane. Down the other end, Stranraer continued to look dangerous down the right and they were twice able to get deliveries across the face of goal. Again, though, O'Donnell failed to find that killer touch to make them pay. And that came back to haunt them in 33 minutes when Kilby took the lead from the penalty spot. Fagan got into the box down the right and marker Finn Ecrepont hauled him to the ground just inside, leaving referee Cameron Stirling to point to the spot. It looked a touch soft, but Kilby didn't care and Robertson powered his penalty beyond Lane, who managed to get a hand to it but couldn't keep it out. Lane did well to keep out a curling effort from Robertson in 39 minutes, as Kilby threatened to double their lead before the break. Stranraer thought they had equalised right on half-time when Mark Russell's corner was headed home at the back post by Evan Dunne. As the Stranraer players celebrated, the referee awarded a foul against Kilby keeper Freddie Owens and the visiting fans were quickly silenced. Magnus MacKenzie then got a vital touch in the last attack of the half to deny O'Donnell an equaliser and Kilby kept their advantage going into the break. However, Stranraer did pull level four minutes into the second half. Turay picked up possession in his own half and then his pace took him beyond his marker and into the box, where he made no mistake. He kept his cool and slid the ball under Owens to find the back of the net, despite the best efforts of Rhys Breen racing back to the goalline. A rasping Lewis Reid drive in 65 minutes flew just over the top as the Blues threatened again. Kilby turned to their bench with winger Nathan Flanagan and returning striker Cami Elliott coming on to try and find a winner, with Dobbie and Keir Foster making way. The hosts got away with one when Owens couldn't keep hold of a strike and O'Donnell almost pounced but his first touch inside the six-yard box was heavy and he knocked the ball just out of touch before he could try to turn the ball home from an acute angle. Elliott should have done better with a free header in the centre of the box from a Leitch corner on 78 minutes, as Kilby pushed to find a winner. Nine minutes from time, Jack Leitch's acrobatic effort in the box was blocked and the loose ball fell to Breen to blast home the rebound. Joao Balde then sealed the points in 89 minutes with a diving header into the bottom corner. Something was said to the Kilby player from a supporter in the Stranraer end, forcing a long stoppage in play, and Balde was booked for his protests amid Kilby players showing their digust towards the visiting end. Balde then picked up a second booking for a foul on Lewis Reid to end the game on a bit of a sour note. Kilby now travel to Stirling Albion on league business next weekend. EAST KILBRIDE: Owens, Breen, Ferguson, NacKenzie, Fagan, Leitch, Spence, Balde, Dobbie (Elliott 60), Foster (Flanagan 60), Robertson. Scorers: Robertson 33, Breen 81, Balde 90 Bookings: Fagan, Robertson Sent off: Balde Subs not used: Morrison, Sula, Hamilton, Healy, Lyon, Mimnaugh. STRANRAER: Lane, Rough, Ecrepont, Dunne, Reid, McManus (Hunter 39), Russell, Dolan, Turay (Stuart 71), Quigg (Edgar 84), O'Donnell. Scorers: Turay Bookings: HT: 1-0
The Sun
19 minutes ago
- The Sun
Birmingham striker Jay Stansfield hit on head by missile after dramatic last-gasp turnaround against Blackburn
BIRMINGHAM CITY striker Jay Stansfield was hit on the head by a missile in a stormy end at Blackburn Rovers. Stansfield smashed in a penalty to equalise for Blues before sub Lyndon Dykes stole victory at the death. 1 But when Stansfield went to shake hands with a Rovers player at the end he was struck - with an empty bottle left on the turf. The officials checked the incident and it will be in the official report on the game. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
Chelsea will only sign Alejandro Garnacho and Xavi Simons on one condition
Chelsea remain keen on signing Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho buttheir hopes hinge on offloading two of their current attackers. The Blues head into the new season in justifiably confident mood following their impressive end to the previous campaign. Champions League qualification was complimented by triumphs in the Conference League and Club World Cup and the Blues are now expected to challenge for major honours again. Chelsea have been typically active in the market already this summer with the likes of Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens set to breathe new life into Enzo Maresca's forward line. Much is also expected of Brazilian teen sensation Estevao Willian, but Maresca is still keen for further reinforcements. Metro's new weekly football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it's an open goal. Chelsea are long-term admirers of Garnacho who has been deemed surplus to requirements by Ruben Amorim. The Argentina international has been forced to train in exile during the close season but is hopeful of sealing a move to Stamford Bridge in the next fortnigh. Chelsea have also held talks with RB Leipzig for Simons and the player is said to be keen on a move to west London. Bayern Munich were also said to be interested in the Netherlands international but are currently prioritising the signing of Chelsea's own Christopher Nkunku. According to Sky Sports, should Nkunku depart, along with one of Nicolas Jackson and Tyrique George, then Chelsea would be capable of bringing both Garnacho and Simons before the deadline. Should Chelsea manage to offload just one of that unwanted trio, then Maresca may have to settle for the attacking options he currently has at his disposal. The former Leicester City boss has, meanwhile, made secret of his desire to add another defender following the season ending injury sustained by Levi Colwill. Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah are poised to start in central defence against Crystal Palace in the Premier League opener on Sunday. But Blues boss Maresca is not convinced he can replace key man Colwill, 22, from within his current squad and has been linked with a move for Antonio Silva of Benfica. 'You know how important Levi has been for us last season, for the way we want to play,' said Maresca. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'We said many times that we are able to create chances and to attack in the right way if we are able to build in the right way. Levi was a huge part of our build-up and now he's out. More Trending 'We are trying to find a solution internally, but the club know exactly what I think and we'll see what happens. 'I think we need a central defender. We are looking for an internal solution but as I said, the club know exactly what I think. 'We have a fantastic squad. We are happy with the squad. we are, no doubt. But we said many times that when the transfer window is open, anything can happen.' MORE: Martin Keown reveals advantage Arsenal may have over Liverpool in Premier League title race MORE: Chelsea handed Eberechi Eze boost as Crystal Palace star closes in on £68million transfer MORE: Ruben Amorim warns Viktor Gyokeres ahead of Arsenal debut against Manchester United
