Linfield 1 Derry 1: A "Tasty" one......

RTE Match Report.

While most of the media attention may be diverted to Glasgow today for the Old Firm, there was a “tasty” atmosphere at Windsor Park yesterday. The taste may have been unsavoury but it requires comment.

On and off the pitch the game may have been a lower key affair and there is no doubt that both sides are a shadow of the 2006 incarnations. The action on the pitch won't live long in the memory, with City particularly poor in the first half. However a late late goal from McManus, a legendary celebration, and City had rescued a point. Linfield could have wrapped it up early with a couple of one on ones which they missed, but we'll take the point.

Linfield were more than up for it in the first half and went ahead with a well worked goal. A fantastic ball in from McAllister was headed home by Munster. I was standing beside Marty G and as soon as the ball was crossed I went “danger here”. However it still required a cracking header to beat Gerard Doherty.

I thought City really struggled in the first half, with McGlynn the one creative spark in the team. Kearney appeared to have been given a free role but always appeared to drift inside. The result of this was that City have limited options down the left flank and ever attack was funnelled down the central channel. It was no surprise that one of McGlynn's jinking runs provided City best chance of the first half, when he was felled for a penalty.

Tommy Stewart's effort was saved, and it didn't look the most convincing run up I have ever seen. In saying that Alan Blayney, the Linfield keeper, was very impressive all day and made a great stop. City fans may remember that we tried to sign Blayney a few years ago but for some reason we ended up with Tidman and McEwan instead.

City were once again booed off the pitch at half time in what is becoming a depressing frequency. Usually for the home games I am on iCandy duty so I am in splendid isolation with Greengo in the Old Stand so I am not witness to the abuse of our own players which I am assured takes places. Usually at away games the atmosphere is a lot more supportive as people have made the effort to get there. However yesterday gave me an insight into people's stories from the Brandywell. A large of those surrounding me were just screaming abuse at players,whatever they did. If they made a mistake, abuse them. If they didn't play the ball that the fan wanted, abuse them. Didn't chase a ball, abuse them. Depressing times.

Peter Hutton had been struggling throughout the first half and was replaced by Deery at the break. This required a rejig of the City defence and it paid dividends as City were a lot stronger in the second half. Deery's ability on the ball meant that City started to get a hold in the middle of the park as had a lot more possession in the second half. McGlynn was once again relegated to right back, which somewhat stymied his attacking threat.

The appearance of a tricolour on the Kop and its subsequent burning turned the atmosphere up several notches. However large elements of the City support didn't exactly cover themselves in glory either. Choruses of “Dirty Orange Bastards”, “Hun scum” and signing Ambhran na bhFiann in English made me think I was at a Celtic match. Clowns waving Celtic shirts only added to the feelings. As predicted, a few individuals decided to decommission their pyrotechnic stockpile to by letting off numerous flares and strobes. The individuals involved are easily identifiable and lets hope that suitable measures are taking against them. Throwing used flares onto the pitch is absolute madness and one wasn't far away from the linesman.

There were idiots on both sides and I thought the hands off stewarding approach didn't help, as it allowed a situation to develop. It blew a hole in the “non sectarian support” claim that some Cty fans like to spout at times.

McManus was brought on after the hour and his energy added a new dimension up front. He may not have the skills of the last number 23 for City, but his heart and passion is endearing him to the hearts of the Candystripes faithful. He had one effort saved by Blayney as City looking to be slipping to a defeat. However a sublime lob from Charlie played the Scot in and he finished with aplomb. Tam mightn't be a local but he knew what the goal meant to the fans and let the fans in the Kop know.

City pressed on in the remaining minutes but couldn't really create anything further. The afternoon was illuminated for most City fans with the dismissal of Jeffreys in the dying seconds but the game finished 1-1 and a point apiece. City top the group with two points and head to Inchicore in November, looking to cement a place in the knock out phases. In my view though, the real talking points were off the park.