Hero Ross sees Blues into next round

TEENAGE goalkeeper Ross Glendinning emerged the hero for Linfield on Tuesday night with a match-winning penalty save in the shoot-out against B36 Torshavn in the Faroe Islands.

After a scoreless 90 minutes and extra-time, Linfield held their nerve to set up a trip to Cyprus next week for the second qualifying round.

The home side saw their first effort saved by Glendinning while Jim Ervin, Gary Browne, Michael Carvill and Brian McCaul made it 4-3 to the Blues leaving Glendinning to save the last spot kick which sealed the win.

Earlier, just as in the previous leg in Belfast, Torshavn started brightly with their international striker Suni Olsen firing a shot just over the bar.

They maintained the pressure and created another chance on 10 minutes. this time from a corner but Stephen Douglas managed to clear the danger.

Linfield carved out their first chance on 20 minutes when a free kick from Damian Curran was headed over the bar by Mark McAllister.

Then Daryl Fordyce drilled a low shot just wide of the post in what was an evenly balanced first 45 minutes.

Early in the second half Torshavn had the best chance of the game so far but Glendinning made a super save to deny Cieslewicz.

It was still cat and mouse with the home side knowing a Linfield away goal would mean they had to score twice and they didn’t really push too many men forward.

There was a let-off for the visitors on the hour mark when a low free kick flew into the box but no-one was able to get a touch.

Roaldur Jakobsen wasted a chance near the end of normal time by aiming too high and then Gary Browne could have won it for Linfield with five minutes to go. Sub Brian McCaul did well on the right wing, delivered the cross and Browne’s shot clipped off a defender for a corner.

In extra-time Linfield looked the more confident of the two sides and Mark McAllister blasted a powerful shot over the bar on 112 minutes.

McAllister was in the thick of the action soon after when he seemed certain to score from close range but the keeper did well to block his shot.

The final whistle brought the dreaded drama of the penalty shoot-out and in the end it was to prove a great night for Linfield.

Linfield: Glendinning, Ervin, Curran, Armstrong, Douglas, Fordyce (McCaul 65), Garrett, Mulgrew, Carvill, Thompson (Browne 77), McAllister. Linfield Subs not used: Henderson, BJ Burns, Hanley, Quinn, Clarke.