Leaders give Drumahoe men the Blues

THIS was probably the worst Institute performance in a long time and even though it was against league leaders Linfield, the Waterside men were terrible throughout the 90 minutes.

They had one single shot on target throughout the entire game and even though they were playing against ten men for the majority of the match, they were still second best.

The Blues went close to breaking the deadlock after just eight minutes when Billy Joe Burns' right wing delivery found Philip Lowry, but the ex-Institute man's header was easily gathered by Gavin Cullen.

Linfield deservedly took the lead on 16 minutes following some poor defending by the home side.

Man of the match Damien Curran saw his right wing corner curled into the back post and an unmarked William Murphy rose unchallenged to head the ball down into the ground and past Cullen.

Minutes later Burns' long throw into the 'Stute box was mis-judged by David Ogilby, but fortunately for the Strathfoyle man, Peter Thompson's shot on the turn from an acute angle flew over the bar.

Linfield were rightfully reduced to ten men when striker Mark McAllister was shown a straight red card by referee Hugh Carvill, after he elbowed defender Paddy McLaughlin in the face, which resulted in a bloody nose for the centre-back for the second home game in a row.

Five minutes before half-time another flowing move by the visitors ended with Jamie Mulgrew's pass finding Thompson, but the Northern Ireland international failed to trouble Cullen, as his drive hit the side netting.

The Belfast men did increase their lead just before the interval when another teasing cross by Curran, this time from the left could only be turned into his own net by the unfortunate Eamonn Seydak.

Despite bringing on both Ryan Semple and Thomas Wray for Joe McCready and Graham Crown, it was Linfield who continued to push forward and they grabbed a third on 50 minutes.

In fact they could have netted their third goal before Curran's tremendous volleyed finish as Cullen firstly denied Burns and then Thompson, but there was nothing he could do when the left-winger blasted the ball home off the underside of the bar, after Thompson's inch perfect cross had picked him out.

The Waterside men's single shot came two minutes later when Ogilby's flicked effort at goal from Shaun Holmes' free-kick was easily tipped away by Alan Blayney.

In the closing minutes both Lowry and Murphy went close to increasing the Windsor Park men's advantage.

Institute: Cullen, Crown, McLaughlin, Ogilby, Seydak; Divin, Shields, Boyle, Holmes; McCready, Ramsey. Subs: Wray & Semple for Crown & McCready (H-T); Friars for Seydak (56); McClements & Ryan (not used).

Linfield: Blayney, BJ Burns, Murphy, Bailie, Gallagher; Lowry, Garrett, Mulgrew, Curran; McAllister, Thompson. Subs: Douglas for Bailie (32); Gault for Garrett (61); Allen for Thompson (76); A Burns & Tumelty (not used).

Referee: Mr Hugh Carvill (Belfast).

Cautioned: McCready (29); Thompson (31).

Sent-off: McAllister (23).