Stute suffer the Blues at Windsor

Everything that could have went wrong for the Waterside men did in their 3-1 defeat, they went behind after a few minutes, lost two of their three centre-back’s in the first half and boss Paul Kee was sent-off after the break.

All in all the result means the Drumahoe men have slumped to their third league defeat in a row.

The lights went out delayed the kick-off for 30 minutes and that delay just seemed to spark the home side into life as they took the lead after just 85 seconds.

A short corner rountine ended with Aaron Burns in-swinging cross finding centre-back Chris Hegarty who headed home his third goal in two games.

The Blues had another chance moments later when Andy Waterworth got in behind the Stute defence, his right wing cross flew past a sliding Paddy McLaughlin, but fortunately for the skipper, Aaron Burns fired wide from close range.

To their credit Institute drew level on nine minutes after Cormac Burke’s left wing cross picked out an unmarked Stephen O’Flynn and he gleefully headed home from six yards, past a flat-footed Jonathan Tuffey.

Minutes later McLaughlin had to be replaced by Dean Curry, after the captain picked up a hip injury following a challenge on Michael Carvill.

Just after the mid-way point of the half Carvill raced clear with only Eugene Ferry to beat, but the Stute keeper did well to save and Ivan Sproule flutted his lines with the follow-up effort.

Soon after more slack play by the visitors ended with Ross Clarke’s cut-back falling to Andrew Waterworth, but the striker blasted inches wide from 12 yards.

Institute had to make another change at the back on 40 minutes this time John Curran was replaced by Thomas McBride, after the defender sustained a head injury.

The substitution meant that Aaron Walsh moved into the middle of the back three alongside Dean Curry and Graham Crown with McBride moving into midfield.

Deep into stoppage time in the first half the Blues regained the lead when Sproule’s run and cross from the bye-line found Waterworth and he made no mistake side footing home.

Institute missed a golden chance on 52 minutes when Burke’s cross found an unmarked McBride, but he somehow headed wide from four yards.

Controversy reined on 63 minutes when Stephen Lowry’s goal was allowed to stand despite the fact that the referee’s assistant’s flag was raised, as three Linfield men were standing in an offside position.

The decision by referee Evan Boyce to over rule his assistant lead to boss Paul Kee blowing his own fuse and in the end he took his protests too far and was sent-off by Boyce.

Both sides had chances in the closing stages with Kirk Millar going close for the Blues while Dwayne McManus had a shot blocked and Paul McVeigh hit the side netting for the visitors.

Linfield: Tuffey, Ward, Hegarty, Haughey, Quinn; Clarke, Lowry, Burns (Clucas 84), Sproule (Millar 78); Carvill (Morrow 71), Waterworth.

Institute: Ferry, McLaughlin (D Curry 21), Curran (McBride 40), Crown; S Curry, McManus, Walsh, Forker, McKeever (McVeigh 75); Burke, O’Flynn.

Referee: Mr Evan Boyce (Comber).