Linfield FC

 This was a game that we had much anticipated, with the home of Linfield being Windsor Park, the recently developed national stadium of Northern Ireland. We arrived at the ground in good time as is the norm for me, however even the car park area outside is shuttered off to the public until about an hour before kick off. Given the surrounding area I can maybe see why this is, it's not the best. As we jumped out of the taxi we were greeted by PSNI and the armoured jeep, I think he was enquiring as to who we were but I'm not sure he was any wiser after our conversation! He did however advise we could enter from the gate we were stood at which was good. I spent the next half hour walking along the path towards the railway Bridge where there are various interesting historical posters attached, telling you about past big moments at Windsor, including when current Linfield manager David Healy netter the winner in a 1.0 victory over England in (I think) 2015.

Into the ground and there are two excellent club shops, a Northern Ireland one, which was sadly closed and the Linfield one, which I was after. I bought a hat as my head was burning in the exotic Belfast sunshine, a Linfield teddy bear as a present and 2 pin badges, one in aid of the Royal British Legion, a worthy cause. At the turnstile we had problems scanning our QR codes but the steward was on hand to manually scan them for us which was good. Even though we were lower tier, there are still a good few steps to climb to the concourse. Once there I bought £5 worth of 50 50 tickets, which given the crowd was only for a misery £70 prize. I was miles off anyway. I then went towards the food with great expectations but was thwarted for the second time in two days. The menu had burgers or hotdogs listed but my heart sank as no hotdogs today was the response. I was made to have a burger for the second time or risk getting nothing for tea, anyone who knows me knows burgers are my absolute last resort but in consolation it was a much better quality burger than the night before, priced at £7.

The game got under way and had an air of apathy about it, Linfield, champions by 22 points last season are well off the pace this year in fourth and Cliftonville have nothing to play for in 5th. Two famous ex players stood in either dugout in Jim Magilton and David Healy, both would probably have still got a game in this one. The level of quality was shocking and a couple of Linfield fans near us weren't afraid to voice it either, they've finished the season with 3 defeats on the spin which is abysmal for a club of their stature.

The opening goal went to Cliftonville although I'm sure the linesman had fallen asleep, he looked well offside, just ran forward and slotted home, Linfield responded to the injustice and forced a penalty which was cooly dispatched. Cliftonville continued to probe though and finished from the corner of the box after some impressive build up play to go in ahead at the break. The second 45 was so so poor from both sides, just seeing it out with little to no urgency it seemed, not a classic Belfast derby that will live long in the memory. 

After the game we crossed the railway bridge and turned right, walk about 300 yards up the road and you arrive at Adelaide station on your right, cross the platform and the train to Belfast Grand Central takes 5 minutes. 

Pre match we had a trip to the city of Lisburn, we found a great bakery, Mackays, where I had sausage chips and beans and we got an excellent carrot cake muffin a piece for later. Lisburn is only 8 miles from Belfast.  Before heading to the airport on Sunday we headed to St Georges market in Belfast, only open at a weekend it's a must if visiting, some great fried food on offer as well as other local produce and international food to take home for later. Be aware though it's very busy.