Ballyclare Comrades stun Linfield in League Cup
- Published
Linfield crashed out of the League Cup as Chris Trussell's 54th-minute goal earned Championship side Ballyclare Comrades a shock 1-0 win at Dixon Park.
Ballyclare fully deserved their win as the Blues produced a lethargic display.
Chris Hegarty went close to notching a late equaliser but Comrades keeper Paddy Flood produced a fine save.
Warrenpoint Town were the only other Premiership side to exit as two Mark Armstrong goals helped H&W Welders earn a 2-1 win at Milltown.
Armstrong put Gary Smyth's side ahead on 21 minutes and while Darren King set up Marty Havern to level four minutes later, Armstrong restored the Welders advantage on the stroke of half-time.
Warrenpoint rarely threatened an equaliser in the second half in a result which Welders club officials dedicated to their popular secretary Fred Magee who is currently in hospital.
Glentoran had to battle before earning a 2-1 away win over Moyola Park.
Jordan Stewart put the Glens ahead on 21 minutes and while Chris Dowie levelled from a penalty after half-time, Stephen McAlorum fired in a superb winner from 25 yards on 61 minutes to ensure victory for Eddie Patterson's side.
But while Glentoran will be in the hat for Saturday's third-round draw, their Big Two rivals Linfield will be conspicuous by their absence.
Warren Feeney made eight changes from Saturday's 1-1 Premiership draw against Institute and the Blues boss is unlikely to have been impressed by his re-jigged line-up.
Feeney handed competitive debuts to TJ Murray and Paul McElroy but despite having plenty of possession, the Blues rarely troubled Comrades custodian Flood in the opening period.
Blues skipper Hegarty and Seanan Clucas failed to hit the target with shots but Trussell missed the best first-half opportunity just before the break as he outpaced the Linfield defence.
However, Trussell made no mistake on 54 minutes as he finished past Ross Glendinning after a fine through ball from Johnny McClurg.
Hegarty tested Flood late in the game but Comrades were full value for their shock victory.
Wasp Solutions League Cup second-round results
Dundela 0-3 Carrick Rangers
Knockbreda 4-0 Donegal Celtic
PSNI 1-4 Ards
Annagh Utd 2-5 Portadown
Ballyclare Comrades 1-0 Linfield
Ballymena United 3-0 Newington YC
Ballymoney Utd 0-5 Ballinamallard Utd
Bangor 2-0 Portstewart
Cliftonville 6-0 Wakehurst
Coleraine 3-0 Larne
Crusaders 6-1 Glebe Rangers
Glenavon 3-1 Lisburn Distillery
Institute 2-0 Dollingstown
Loughgall 0-1 Dungannon Swifts
Moyola Park 1-2 Glentoran
Warrenpoint Town 1-2 H&W Welders
- Published25 August 2014
- Published25 January 2014