2022–23 Linfield F.C. season

Linfield
2022–23 season
ChairmanRoy McGivern
ManagerDavid Healy
StadiumWindsor Park
NIFL PremiershipSecond place
County Antrim ShieldRunners-up
NIFL League CupWinners
Scottish Challenge CupFourth round
Irish CupSixth round
Champions LeagueSecond qualifying round
Europa LeagueThird qualifying round
Conference LeaguePlay-off round
Top goalscorerLeague: Eetu Vertainen (17)
All: Eetu Vertainen (17)

The 2022–23 season is Linfield's 122nd season in the top flight of the Northern Ireland Football League having never been relegated since the league's formation in 1890. In addition to the domestic league, they will also compete in the Irish Cup, the League Cup, the County Antrim Shield, the Scottish Challenge Cup,[1] the UEFA Champions League,[2] UEFA Europa League[3] and UEFA Europa Conference League.[4]

Overview

Results and fixtures

Pre-season

Linfield announced the first of their friendlies on 19 May stating they would be playing Newtown and St Mirren at home in preparation for their Champions League 1st Qualifying Round tie.[5] A further 2 fixtures against Knockbreda and Harland & Wolff Welders, both to be held away from home were announced on 9 June.[6] While on a pre-season training camp in Marbella, Linfield announced they would be playing Qatar at the end of the camp.[7] The final pre-season friendly was announced as being against Loughgall as a testimonial match for Loughgall Player Steven Ferguson.

21 June 2022 Linfield 1–0 Qatar Qatar Marbella
18:00 BST
  • McKee 19'
 Report Stadium: Marbella Football Center
Referee: Alvarez Dorado
25 June 2022 Linfield 0–0 Wales Newtown Belfast
14:30 BST Report Stadium: Windsor Park
Referee: Ben McMaster
2 July 2022 Linfield 1–2 Scotland St Mirren Belfast
13:30 BST
Report
Stadium: Windsor Park
Referee: Steven Gregg
9 July 2022 Knockbreda 1–2 Linfield Belfast
14:00 BST
  • Munn 82'
 Report
Stadium: Breda Park
Referee: Ross Dunlop
16 July 2022 H & W Welders 1–8 Linfield Belfast
19:45 BST 47' Report
Stadium: Blanchflower Park
Referee: Ben McMaster
23 July 2022 Loughgall 0–2 Linfield Loughgall
14:00 BST Report
Stadium: Lakeview Park
Referee: Jack Irwin
Note: Steven Ferguson Testimonial

NIFL Charity Shield

Main article: NIFL Charity Shield
6 August 2022 Linfield 0–2 Crusaders Belfast
15:00 BST Report
Stadium: Windsor Park

NIFL Premiership

Main article: 2022–23 NIFL Premiership
14 August 2022 1 Linfield 4–0 Portadown Belfast
15:00 BST
Report Stadium: Windsor Park
Attendance: 2,806
Referee: Timothy Marshall
21 August 2022 2 Newry City 1–3 Linfield Newry
14:00 BST
  • Forde 35'
 Report
Stadium: The Showgrounds
Attendance: 2,029
Referee: Iain McNabb
28 August 2022 3 Carrick Rangers 2–1 Linfield Carrickfergus
14:00 BST
Report
  • Devine 53'
 Stadium: Taylors Avenue
Attendance: 1,452
Referee: Tony Clarke
3 September 2022 4 Ballymena United 0–4 Linfield Ballymena
15:00 BST Report
Stadium: Ballymena Showgrounds
Attendance: 1,742
Referee: Jamie Robinson
16 September 2022 5 Crusaders 2–1 Linfield Belfast
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Seaview
Attendance: 2,367
Referee: Lee Tavinder
1 October 2022 6 Dungannon Swifts 0–1 Linfield Dungannon
15:00 BST Report
  • McDaid 36'
 Stadium: Stangmore Park
Attendance: 1,225
Referee: Tony Clarke
8 October 2022 7 Coleraine 0–0 Linfield Coleraine
15:00 BST Report Stadium: The Showgrounds
Attendance: 3,876
Referee: Raymond Crangle
14 October 2022 8 Linfield 0–3 Glentoran Belfast
19:45 BST
  • Newberry Red card 30'
 Report
  • Burns 48'
  • Purkis 76', 90+1'
 Stadium: Windsor Park
Attendance: 7,134
Referee: Lee Tavinder
18 October 2022 9 Linfield 3–2 Glenavon Belfast
19:45 BST
Report
  • Fitzpatrick 41', 67'
 Stadium: Windsor Park
Attendance: 1,620
Referee: Declan Hassan
22 October 2022 10 Linfield 2–4 Larne Belfast
15:00 BST
Report
  • Doherty 4 pen.'
  • O’Neill 7'
  • Bonis 60'
  • Millar 70'
 Stadium: Windsor Park
Attendance: 2,734
Referee: Ian McNabb
29 October 2022 11 Newry City 0–2 Linfield Newry
15:00 BST Report
Stadium: The Showgrounds
Attendance: 738
Referee: Raymond Crangle
5 November 2022 12 Portadown 0–3 Linfield Portadown
15:00 BST Report
Stadium: Shamrock Park
Attendance: 1,550
Referee: Gavin Andrews
8 November 2022 13 Linfield 0–0 Cliftonville Belfast
19:45 BST Report Stadium: Windsor Park
Attendance: 3,771
Referee: Raymond Crangle
12 November 2022 14 Linfield 2–1 Glenavon Belfast
15:00 BST
Report
  • Glynn 58'
 Stadium: Windsor Park
Attendance: 2,547
Referee: Timothy Marshall
18 November 2022 15 Ballymena United 0–2 Linfield Ballymena
19:45 BST Report
  • McKee 28'
  • Callacher 51'
 Stadium: Ballymena Showgrounds
Attendance: 1,714
Referee: Jamie Robinson
22 November 2022 16 Linfield 1–0 Larne Belfast
19:45 BST
  • Newberry 77'
 Report Stadium: Windsor Park
Attendance: 2,344
Referee: Ross Dunlop
26 November 2022 17 Linfield 0–0 Crusaders Belfast
17:30 BST Report Stadium: Windsor Park
Attendance: 2,264
Referee: Ian McNabb
3 December 2022 18 Linfield 3–1 Carrick Rangers Belfast
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Windsor Park
Attendance: 1,549
Referee: Tony Clarke
17 December 2022 19 Linfield 4–0 Dungannon Swifts Belfast
15:00 BST
Report Stadium: Windsor Park
Attendance: 1,521
Referee: Gavin Andrews
26 December 2022 20 Glentoran 1–2 Linfield Belfast
14:00 BST
Report
Stadium: The Oval
Attendance: 6,154
Referee: Raymond Crangle
2 January 2023 21 Linfield 0–0 Coleraine Belfast
15:00 BST Report Stadium: Windsor Park
Attendance: 3,553
Referee: Ian McNabb
10 January 2023 22 Cliftonville 1–0 Linfield Belfast
19:45 BST
  • Doherty 12'
 Report Stadium: Solitude
Attendance: 2,336
Referee: Timothy Marshall
14 January 2023 23 Glenavon 1–6 Linfield Lurgan
15:00 BST
  • McCloskey 19'
 Report
Stadium: Mourneview Park
Attendance: 1,655
Referee: Tony Clarke
21 January 2023 24 Linfield 3–0 Ballymena United Belfast
15:00 BST
Report Stadium: Windsor Park
Attendance: 2,376
Referee: Ross Dunlop
24 January 2023 25 Crusaders 2–0 Linfield Belfast
19:45 BST
Report
  • Haygarth 82'
 Stadium: Seaview
Attendance: 2,754
Referee: Lee Tavinder
28 January 2023 26 Portadown 1–6 Linfield Portadown
15:00 BST
  • McNally 44'
 Report
Stadium: Shamrock Park
Attendance: 1,364
Referee: Evan Boyce
11 February 2023 27 Linfield 1–0 Cliftonville Belfast
15:00 BST
  • Lowe 59 o.g.'
 Report Stadium: Windsor Park
Attendance: 4,816
Referee: Ian McNabb
14 February 2022 28 Glentoran 3–0 Linfield Belfast
19:45 BST
Report Stadium: The Oval
Attendance: 5,437
Referee: Jamie Robinson
18 February 2023 29 Linfield 2–0 Carrick Rangers Belfast
15:00 BST
Report Stadium: Windsor Park
Attendance: 1,866
Referee: Andrew Davey
25 February 2023 30 Linfield 2–0 Coleraine Belfast
15:00 BST
Report Stadium: Windsor Park
Attendance: 2,689
Referee: Gavin Andrews
7 March 2022 31 Larne 0–0 Linfield Larne
19:45 BST Report Stadium: Inver Park
Attendance: 2,712
Referee: Timothy Marshall
18 March 2023 32 Linfield 7–0 Newry City Belfast
15:00 BST
  • Cooper 4', 43', 45+1', 64'
  • Clarke 25'
  • McKee 55', 57'
 Report Stadium: Windsor Park
Attendance: 1,549
Referee: Evan Boyce
24 March 2023 33 Dungannon Swifts 0–5 Linfield Dungannon
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: Stangmore Park
7 April 2023 34 Linfield 0–0 Crusaders Belfast
19:45 BST Report Stadium: Windsor Park
Attendance: 3,514
Referee: Shane Andrews
12 April 2023 35 Linfield 1–1 Glentoran Belfast
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Windsor Park
Attendance: 4,671
Referee: Tony Clarke
15 April 2023 36 Coleraine 0–1 Linfield Coleraine
15:00 BST Report
  • Quinn 87'
 Stadium: The Showgrounds
Attendance: 3,752
Referee: Lee Tavinder
21 April 2023 37 Larne 1–1 Linfield Larne
19:45 BST
Report
  • Fallon 57'
 Stadium: Inver Park
Referee: Shane Andrews
29 April 2023 38 Cliftonville 0–2 Linfield Belfast
17:30 BST
Report
Stadium: Solitude
Referee: Jamie Robinson

County Antrim Shield

Main article: County Antrim Shield
6 September 2022 First round Crusaders 0–1 Linfield Belfast
19:45 BST
  • Murphy Red card 50'
 Report
  • Fallon 68'
 Stadium: Seaview
Referee: Andrew Davey
11 October 2022 Quarter-final Cliftonville 1–1
(4–5 p)		 Linfield Belfast
19:45 BST
Report
  • Clarke 2'
 Stadium: Solitude
Referee: Jamie Robinson
15 November 2022 Semi-final Linfield 2–1 Glentoran Belfast
19:45 BST
Report
  • Singleton 64'
 Stadium: Windsor Park
Referee: Christopher Morrison
17 January 2023 Final Linfield 0–0
(3–4 p)		 Larne Belfast
19:45 BST
Report Stadium: Seaview
Referee: Shane Andrews

NIFL Cup

Main article: 2022–23 Northern Ireland Football League Cup
13 September 2022 First round Moyola Park 1–5 Linfield Castledawson
19:45 BST
  • McNeil 31'
 Report
Stadium: Mill Meadow
Referee: Declan Hassan
4 October 2022 Second round Dundela 0–1 Linfield Belfast
19:45 BST Report
  • McDaid 75'
 Stadium: Wilgar Park
Referee: Christopher Morrison
1 November 2022 Quarter-final Linfield 3–0 Annagh United Belfast
19:45 BST
  • Cooper 24', 81'
  • McStravick 90+3'
 Report Stadium: Windsor Park
Referee: Steven Gregg
6 December 2022 Semi-final Glentoran 0–3 Linfield Belfast
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: The Oval
Referee: Tim Marshall
12 March 2023 Final Linfield 2–0 Coleraine Belfast
15:00 BST
Report Stadium: Windsor Park
Attendance: 11,038
Referee: Lee Tavinder

Scottish Challenge Cup

Main article: 2022–23 Scottish Challenge Cup
24 September 2022 Third round Scotland Buckie Thistle 1–2 Northern Ireland Linfield Buckie
15:00 BST
  • Goodall 53'
 Report
Stadium: Victoria Park
Attendance: 561
Referee: Chris Fordyce
10 December 2022 Fourth round Scotland Kelty Hearts 1–1
(5–4 p)		 Northern Ireland Linfield Kelty
15:00 BST
Report
  • McKee 44'
 Stadium: New Central Park
Attendance: 1,340
Referee: Craig Napier

Irish Cup

Main article: 2022–23 Irish Cup
7 January 2023 Fifth round Linfield 3–0 Warrenpoint Town Belfast
15:00 BST
  • McDaid 23'
  • McKee 48'
  • Clarke 83'
 Report Stadium: Windsor Park
Referee: Ben McMaster
4 February 2023 Sixth round Larne 1–1
(4–3 p)		 Linfield Larne
15:00 BST
  • Bonis 57'
 Report
Stadium: Inver Park
Referee: Tony Clarke

UEFA Champions League

Main article: 2022–23 UEFA Champions League qualifying phase and play-off round

First qualifying round

5 July 2022 1st Leg Wales The New Saints 1–0 Northern Ireland Linfield Oswestry
19:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Park Hall
Attendance: 1,034
Referee: A Chivulete (ROU)
13 July 2022 2nd Leg Northern Ireland Linfield 2–0 Wales The New Saints Belfast
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Windsor Park
Attendance: 2,971
Referee: D Strukan (CRO)

Second qualifying round

19 July 2022 1st Leg Northern Ireland Linfield 1–0 Norway Bodø/Glimt Belfast
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Windsor Park
Attendance: 3,168
Referee: A Treimanis
27 July 2022 2nd Leg Norway Bodø/Glimt 8–0 Northern Ireland Linfield Bodø
18:00 BST
Report Stadium: Aspmyra Stadion
Attendance: 5,110
Referee: R Reinshreiber

UEFA Europa League

Main article: 2022–23 UEFA Europa League third qualifying round

Third qualifying round

4 August 2022 1st Leg Northern Ireland Linfield 0–2 Switzerland Zürich Belfast
20:45 BST Report
Stadium: Windsor Park
Attendance: 3,044
Referee: M Di Bello
11 August 2022 2nd Leg Switzerland Zürich 3–0 Northern Ireland Linfield Zürich
19:00 BST
Report Stadium: Letzigrund
Attendance: 7,904
Referee: H Osmers

UEFA Conference League

Main article: 2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League play-off round

Play-off round

18 August 2022 1st Leg Latvia RFS 2–2 Northern Ireland Linfield Riga
19:00 EEST
Report
Stadium: Daugava Stadium
Attendance: 4,710
Referee: A Aghayev
25 August 2022 2nd Leg Northern Ireland Linfield 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(2–4 p)		 Latvia RFS Belfast
19:45 BST
Report
  • Callacher 120+1 o.g.'
 Stadium: Windsor Park
Attendance: 4,742
Referee: M Jug
Penalties

Club statistics

Competition Overview

Competition First Match Last Match Starting Round Final Position Record
Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
Champions League 5 July 2022 27 July 2022 First qualifying round Second qualifying round 4 2 0 2 3 9 -6 50.0%
Europa League 4 August 2022 11 August 2022 Third qualifying round Third qualifying round 2 0 0 2 0 5 -5 0%
NIFL Charity Shield 6 August 2022 6 August 2022 Final Runners-up 1 0 0 1 0 2 -2 0%
NIFL Premiership 14 August 2022 29 April 2023 Matchday 1 Second place 38 23 8 7 75 27 48 60.5%
Conference League 18 August 2022 25 August 2022 Play-off round Play-Off round 2 0 2 0 3 3 0 0%
County Antrim Shield 6 September 2022 17 January 2023 First round Runners-up 5 3 2 0 4 2 2 100.0%
NIFL League Cup 13 September 2022 12 March 2023 First round Winners 5 5 0 0 14 1 13 100.0%
Scottish Challenge Cup 24 September 2022 10 December 2022 Third round Fourth round 2 1 1 0 3 2 1 50.0%
Irish Cup 7 January 2023 4 February 2023 Fifth round Sixth round 2 1 1 0 4 1 3 50.0%
Total 65 35 13 12 106 52 54 62.2%

[8]

League table

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation[a]
1 Larne (C) 38 25 8 5 64 22 +42 83 Qualification for the Champions League first qualifying round
2 Linfield 38 23 8 7 75 27 +48 77 Qualification for the Europa Conference League first qualifying round
3 Glentoran (O) 38 23 5 10 77 28 +49 74 Qualification for the Europa Conference League play-offs
4 Cliftonville 38 20 8 10 66 53 +13 68
5 Crusaders 38 19 10 9 72 45 +27 67 Qualification for the Europa Conference League first qualifying round[b]
Source: Northern Ireland Football League, Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Drawing of lots[9]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners
Notes:
  1. ^ Teams play each other three times (33 matches), before the league is split into two groups (the top six and the bottom six).
  2. ^ Crusaders entered the Europa Conference League first qualifying round as 2022–23 Irish Cup winners.


Transfers

References

  1. ^ FC, Linfield. "Latest News: Programme editorial". The Official Website of Linfield FC. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  2. ^ UEFA.com. "Clubs | UEFA Champions League 2022/23". UEFA.com. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  3. ^ UEFA.com. "Clubs | UEFA Europa League 2022/23". UEFA.com. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  4. ^ UEFA.com. "Clubs | UEFA Europa Conference League". UEFA.com. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  5. ^ FC, Linfield. "Latest News: Pre season friendlies at Windsor Park". The Official Website of Linfield FC. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  6. ^ FC, Linfield. "Latest News: Confirmation of 2 away friendlies in July". The Official Website of Linfield FC. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  7. ^ FC, Linfield. "Latest News: Linfield to face Qatar tonight". The Official Website of Linfield FC. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  8. ^ FC, Linfield. "Fixtures / Match Reports". Linfield FC. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  9. ^ "NIFL Premiership Rules 2020–21" (PDF). NIFL. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  10. ^ "Joel Cooper: Winger agrees Linfield return after departure from Oxford United". bbc.co.uk. BBC Sport. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  11. ^ "Linfield confirm Chris McKee transfer on two-year deal". newsletter.co.uk. News Letter. 26 May 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  12. ^ "Linfield confirm Robbie McDaid is heading to Windsor Park". belfastlive.co.uk. Belfast Live. 29 June 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  13. ^ "David Healy - "warm Windsor welcome to Max Haygarth"". linfieldfc.com. Linfield FC. 7 January 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  14. ^ "David Healy - delighted to welcome Kyle Lafferty". linfieldfc.com. Linfield FC. 8 February 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  15. ^ "Linfield FC announce several departures including Christy Manzinga". belfastlive.co.uk. Belfast Live. 8 June 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  16. ^ "Linfield FC announce several departures including Christy Manzinga". belfastlive.co.uk. Belfast Live. 8 June 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  17. ^ "Best wishes to Christy Manzinga". linfieldfc.com. Linfied FC. 28 June 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  18. ^ "Stewart signs on loan". glenavonfc.com. Glenavon FC. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2023.