‘Ugly win’ pleases David Healy as Linfield maintain eight point at Newry

Newry City 0 Linfield 3

Linfield's Jamie Mulgrew and Newry's Liam Bagnall during today's game at Newry Showgrounds

The Linfield machine rumbled onto a ninth straight victory at the Newry Showgrounds yesterday thanks to a rousing second half display.

After a forgettable first half, Matthew Fitzpatrick opened with a close range conversion and set up Chris McKee for Linfield's second goal before a Kirk Millar shot squirmed past Steven Maguire in the Newry goal.

To make matters worse for the hosts, centre-half Andrew Martin was forced to go to hospital for a precautionary x-ray on a lung after suffering breathing problems in the first half.

A heavy pitch following torrid weather this week took a toll on the entertainment value of the game and victorious Linfield manager David Healy conceded he was happy to grind the win out afterwards.

“We had to win ugly”, said Healy, whose Linfield team are now eight points clear of Larne at the top of the Sports Direct Premiership.

“I don't think we played out from the back once today, because the conditions weren't conducive to that.

“It wasn't a day for that, it wasn't a day to be disrespectful to Newry, and great credit to Newry because during the week it looked as if there would be absolutely no chance of it being played.

“We've been to Loughgall away, Carrick away and now Newry away, and it's not about performances, it's about finding ways to win games and we've done that.

We didn't change anything at half time. I wouldn't say we talked about being patient, because the more patient you are the longer you have to wait.

We spoke about being more decisive. There were many times in the first half when we should have been brighter and smarter, so we wanted a more ruthless, clinical edge