Hat-trick hero Striker Vertainen says Linfield victory over Ballymena was perfect response to Shield pain

The big 23-year-old bagged an impressive hat-trick as the Danske Bank Premiership champions swatted away the challenge of Ballymena United.

Still smarting from that Shield loss – midfielder Kyle McClean; manager David Healy and his assistant Ross Oliver were all dismissed before being edged out on spot kicks – the Blues again demonstrated their title credentials as they strive to bring the Gibson Cup back to south Belfast for the fifth successive year.

“We needed a result on the back of the disappointment on Tuesday,” said Vertainen. “I know it becomes a lottery when a game is decided with spot kicks, although over the course of the game I thought we deserved to win, even with 10 men.

“The red card (to McClean) changed the dynamic of the match, but we defended so well after that.

"It was important we responded against Ballymena. We also benefitted from results elsewhere (at Larne and Cliftonville at the weekend), so it helped us move up a place in the table, which we are happy about.

“At the minute, there are five teams all in with a chance of winning the League title. It could probably go like that until the last few games.”

Vertainen was thrilled with his contribution, adding: “It was nice to be among the goals and score a hat-trick. I’m in a decent little run at the minute, so I must try to continue on with that.

“I’ve scored a few hat-tricks in my career, but I was happy with that one. I got a little bit lucky with the second goal to be honest. It was a tap in on the line. They were all relatively close-range finishes.

“But we now face another massive test on Tuesday. You know what you are going to get at Crusaders. They are a big, strong physical team."

Ballymena United boss David Jeffrey knew there would be a Linfield backlash following the disappointment of their Shield defeat.

“We knew how difficult it was going to be,” he said. “We were coming to the home of the champions and we were coming up against a side that were ruthless in their victory over Glenavon last week, scoring six goals.

“Even with 10 men, I thought they were the better side in the Shield final and were most unfortunate not to win the game. There was no way they were going to allow us to be a banana skin.

“They were the better side, first and foremost, although I would still question the second goal, because I thought it was offside. I can’t fault the effort and commitment of my players. There are lessons to be learnt from the game.

“There was a degree of naivety about our performance. We were punished for the mistakes we made.”

LINFIELD: Johns, Roscoe, Newberry, Shields (Palmer53), M Clarke (Quinn 75), McKee, Finlayson, Haygarth (Devine 65), Mulgrew (Pepper 65), Vertainen (McKay 75), A Clarke.

Unused subs: Millar, Hall.

BALLYMENA UNITED: O’Neill, Nelson, Wilson, Whiteside, McDaid, Kelly (Henderson 46), Waide (Place 65), McCullough, McGrory (McVarnock 65), Gibson (Kane 65), Graham (Tipton 79).

Unused subs: Williamson, Redman.

REFEREE: Ross Dunlop.