UEFA Conference League: Superb Linfield book play-off place

Linfield will face a rematch with Shelbourne in the UEFA Conference League Play-Offs after a fine - and well deserved 2-0 win at home to Vikingur of the Faroe Islands tonight.

A stunning strike from Kieran Offord and an own goal were enough for David Healy's side to put themselves 180 minutes from the league phase of European competition for the very first time.

They'll face a tough task against the reigning League of Ireland title holders - whose Manager Joey O'Brien was in attendance just in front of the media area - the side who knocked Linfield out of the Champions League qualifiers a month ago.

While Healy stated in the build-up to the match that his side needed to remain calm as they didn’t have to win the game in the first half, they certainly set about doing so from the outset.

Their first chance arrived in the sixth minute when Matthew Fitzpatrick did well to escape his man down the left and cut into the box, but his shot was beaten away by Vikingur keeper Barour Reynatro.

Just three minutes later, at the other end, the visitors showed their capabilities going forward as Jakup Johansen outmuscled and outpaced Ben Hall all too easily to poke a shot in on goal from a tight angle, but it was easily gathered by Chris Johns.

The Faroese side broke again on the quarter hour and once again it was Johansen who was the dangerman. He turned Hall again before racing clear only to drag his shot wide this time.

However, the tie turned a piece on individual brilliance midway through the half from Offord.

Collecting the ball 30 yards out from goal, the attacker turn away from one man, before nutmegging another and then blasting a stunning effort into the roof of the net from 20 yards to level the tie and put the hosts ahead on the night.

Then, on 27 minutes, Linfield went so close to doubling their advantage – twice.

Firstly, they hit the base of left hand post from Charlie Allen's deflected shot 10 yards out. Then Offord let fly once more from 25 yards only to see his left-footed effort crash against the underside of the bar and bounce down on the line before being cleared.

Things got even better for the Irish Premiership champions seven minutes before the break and again Offord was at the heart of it.

Offord was put through on goal by Fitzpatrick, but his chipped effort was weak when he should have done better. However, it was only palmed into the path of Fitzpatrick and he put enough pressure on Ari Olsen, who miskicked into his own net to make it 2-0.

That gave Linfield a 3-2 aggregate lead, but there was still time before the interval for the visitors to serve a reminder that the tie was far from over.

A minutes before half-time, John did well to block Solvi Vatnhamar’s effort from from close range. When the ball was eventually worked back to the edge of the box, Poul Kallsberg smashed his shot off the crossbar from 15 yards with Johns seemingly beaten.

Shortly after the hour, Vikingur almost found the net as Arnbjorn Svensson got on the end of a free-kick. His poked shot was well saved by Johns, who was fouled late by Ingi Arngrimsson in the follow-up. It was an unnecessary tackle from the Vikingur man, who received a booking for his troubles, while Johns was unable to continue and was replaced by David Walsh between the posts.

As the tie edged towards the final 10 minutes, Linfield had two chances to seal the deal, although if either had gone in, it would have been unexpected.

Ben Hall’s overhead kick following a Kirk Millar corner flew just over the bar, before Offord, all on his own, raced clear and forced the visiting keeper into a excellent fingertip save after his fierce shot from a tight angle.

As was to be expected, the away side attempted to pile on the pressure in the six minutes of time added on, mainly due to that Johns injury, but Linfield dealt with everything that was thrown in their direction.

Those first half goals proved enough for the hosts to make it through another round.

MATCH STATS

Linfield: Johns (Walsh 67), Orr (McGee 67), Allen (Brown 83), Roscoe, Hall, Shields (C), Archer, McClean, Millar, Fitzpatrick, Offord (McKee 86)

Subs not used: Rooney (GK), Whiteside, Annett, McKay, Morrison

Vikingur: Reynatrao, Olsen, I Arngrmisson (Hansen 88), Gergersen (C), Svensson, Atlason (Brandsson 88), Ellingsgaard (Radosavievic 73), Jonhardsson, Kallsberg, Johansen (Nielsen 73), Vatnhamar

Subs not used: H Arngrimsson (GK), Skala, Djurhuus, Jarnskor, Bjakrhamar, Olavsson, Joensen