Paul Heatley was at the heart of Carrick Rangers’ superb team performance – that also featured a Nathan Gartside penalty save – as he scored then set up Danny Gibson to fight back after Linfield led twice off Kobei Moore then Matthew Fitzpatrick in the 2-2 draw.

TOP RATED

CARRICK RANGERS: Paul Heatley, at 39 years old, remains one of the Irish League’s most exciting, effervescent and effective players. Outside of his goal and assist, Heatley had fans showing appreciation not only for some dazzling skill but overall work-rate including chasing back to produce a key first-half interception outside the Carrick penalty area.

LINFIELD: On an afternoon when consistent individual contributions came second to collective effort, Ben Hall produced two significant defensive moments in quick succession over the closing stages to clear off the line off Gibson then manage to disappoint the same Carrick attacker by steering an inviting low cross wide of the target facing his own goal.

placeholder image — Linfield's Chris Shields (right) competing against Aidan Steele in the 2-2 draw with Carrick Rangers. (Photo by Desmond Loughery/Pacemaker Press)

BIG MOMENT

Gartside was unable to get a glove on shots from distance by Linfield goalscorers Kobie Moore and Matthew Fitzpatrick but, with the game in the balance at 2-2 just past the hour mark, the Carrick goalkeeper produced a big hand to divert Chris Shields’ penalty kick around his right-hand post.

MATCH STATS

F-T: Carrick Rangers 2 Linfield 2

85: SUB (Linfield) - Mulgrew on for Shields

82: YELLOW (Linfield) - McGee

80: SUB (Carrick) - O'Connor on for Lecky

76: SUB (Carrick) - Clucas on for Snoddy

68: SUBS (Linfield) Wells and Frizzell on for Nelson and Brennan

52: GOAL - Carrick Rangers 2 (Gibson) Linfield 2

Heatley - once again the Carrick threat - delivers a delightful cross into the heart of the packed penalty area and a determined Gibson's glancing header from around 10 yards puts the hosts level

H-T: Carrick Rangers 1 Linfield 2

40: GOAL - Carrick Rangers 1 Linfield 2 (Fitzpatrick)

Another long-range drive by Linfield and another goal - with Fitzpatrick celebrating a first return to the starting side since September 5 (also against Carrick) by steering his shot into the bottom corner

23: GOAL - Carrick Rangers 1 (Heatley) Linfield 1

Callacher’s header off a Johns kick out sends the ball back in behind the Linfield defence to offer Heatley something to chase down and he displays fleet of foot to collect before composure to slot home under the advancing goalkeeper

11: GOAL - Carrick Rangers 0 Linfield 1 (Moore)

Moore takes full advantage of the time and space afforded the forward to drive towards the Carrick goal from deep and drill a low angled shot beyond Gartside's outstretched left hand – scoring for a third successive appearance

CARRICK RANGERS: Nathan Gartside, Kym Nelson, Jordan Forsythe, Jimmy Callacher, Danny Gibson, Adam Lecky, Aidan Steele, Benjamin Buchanan-Rolleston, Joe Crowe, Paul Heatley, Matthew Snoddy.

Subs: Dylan Agnew, Daire O’Connor, Seanan Clucas, Nedas Maciulaitis, Joe Moore, Kyle Cherry, Caleb Hawthorne.

LINFIELD: Chris Johns, Chris Shields, Kyle McClean, Kitt Nelson, Ben Hall, Rhys Brennan, Isaac Baird, Ethan McGee, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Kobie Moore, Dane McCullough.

Subs: Aidan Glavin, Ryan Nolan, Adam Frizzell, Dylan Wells, Jamie Mulgrew, Sean Brown, Charlie Chapman.

TALKING POINTS

Across the first half both teams finished with thanks for key blocks – with Snoddy on the line after 24 minutes to clear Nelson’s shot on the spin then Baird put his body in front of danger to divert Heatley’s goalbound shot away from danger in the closing moments.

After the interval – with Carrick still feeling aggrieved at a penalty appeal dismissed involving Adam Lecky around 70 minutes – Gibson finished frustrated when Hall on the line hacked away his clever shot.

SPECIAL MENTION

A warm tribute was held on 37 minutes in memory of 37-year-old Linfield fan Warren Coard. A GoFundMe page has been set up following Warren’s sudden passing during a trip to Tenerife, with members of Carrick True Blues LSC organising the minute’s applause supported by the Irish League football family inside Taylors Avenue