Linfield fight back to finish in front over battling Carrick Rangers

Linfield hit the road aiming to wrap up the pre-split Sports Direct Premiership programme with maximum points to maintain pressure on the two-point lead by Larne.​

Carrick enjoyed an early spark bolstered by home advantage as Andrew Mitchell’s free-kick was met by Cameron Stewart but Linfield goalkeeper Chris Johns proved on hand to claim.

However, the hosts broke the deadlock in a shock on six minutes as Neda s Maciulaitis proved decisive with a close-range finish following a dangerous Carrick corner-kick.

Stewart stopped Linfield from getting back on level terms with a block on the line after Kirk Millar’s set-piece delivery then a Daniel Finlayson connection and Kyle McClean attempt.

Joel Cooper came close on two occasions in quick succession but had the first saved by Carrick goalkeeper Ross Glendinning before Steven Gordon managed a block off the second, with Matthew Fitzpatrick involved in the build-up.

Carrick, however, carved out an opening on the counter-attack but Maciulaitis was unable to provide the finishing to James Teelan’s pass.

But Cooper made his mark before the break with a header to cap some impressive build-up play by Blues captain Jamie Mulgrew as the veteran midfielder wrapped up a driving run with a decisive delivery.

Linfield pushed for the upper hand ahead of half-time but Matthew Clarke’s late chest control and volley cleared the crossbar.

Clarke was also at the heart of the second half’s first opening of note when guiding an Ethan McGee cross towards Cooper but the Linfield scorer, at a stretch, could not connect.

Glendinning proved alert to react and stop a deflected Millar cross.

But Linfield grabbed control of the game – and gained a significant lift in search of the league title bid – by moving 2-1 up on the hour mark.

McGee burst forward before slotting home beyond Glendinning with a left-foot finish.

Johns pulled off a save to stop Maciulaitis’ shot from the edge of the area after neat link-up play by Mitchell and Teelan.

The game’s next goal arrived for Linfield as Clarke fired over a low cross for McClean to add another goal to his season’s tally.

Curtis Allen, who counts Linfield on his list of former clubs, stepped off the sidelines to make it 3-2 after Gibson’s square pass from a Joe Crowe ball.

CARRICK RANGERS: Glendinning, Stewart, Gordon, Cushley, Mitchell (Forsythe, 65), Maciulaitis (Allen, 77), MacKinnon, Buchanan-Rolleston, Crowe, Gibson, Teelan.

Subs (not used): McCauley, Cherry, Withers, Arnold, Tilney.

LINFIELD: Johns, Hall, Finlayson, Newberry, McGee, Clarke, Millar, Mulgrew, McClean, Fitzpatrick, Cooper (McBrien, 89).

Subs (not used): Walsh, McCullough, Shields, Annett, Stewart, Graham.