Limavady United were beaten 2–0 by Linfield at The Showgrounds, as David Healy’s side made it three league wins on the bounce in front of 1,194 fans.
Linfield started the brighter of the two sides. Matthew Fitzpatrick escaped down the left inside the opening minutes, only for Marty Gallagher to turn his effort around the near post, and the goalkeeper was called into action again moments later to deny Adam Frizzell. Limavady stayed compact and frustrated their visitors for long spells, with Alfie Gaston — on loan from Coleraine — the home side’s best outlet, cutting in from the left before firing narrowly wide.
The breakthrough came six minutes before half-time. Frizzell picked out the front post and Fitzpatrick got across his marker to volley home from close range for his first goal of the season. Gallagher then produced another fine stop just before the break, scrambling away a header from Fitzpatrick at the back post.
Limavady came out for the second half full of endeavour, and Ronan Wilson drove into the Linfield box before his deflected effort forced a save from Chris Johns. But Linfield made the game safe on the hour: Dylan Wells raced clear before squaring for Frizzell, who timed his run to head home from close range.
Daniel Lafferty gave the home crowd a late lift with a dangerous free-kick that Johns did well to tip over, but there was no way back for the Roesiders. Stephen O’Donnell and substitute Leon Boyd were both booked for Limavady, with Ben Hall and Kyle McClean picking up late yellows for the visitors. Referee Mark Dillon took charge of the match.
Limavady United’s next home game is against Dungannon Swifts — see the Match Centre for the latest fixtures and results.