Andy Waterworth
Former Linfield striker on BBC iPlayer

It looks like Coleraine have gone into a back three. It might work in Linfield's favour, especially out wide, they can match up now.

Ruaidhri Higgins looks to his bench and makes a triple change with 25 minutes left on the clock.

Dean Jarvis, Lewis McGregor and Rowan McDonald replace Lyndon Kane, Kodi Lyons-Foster and Zane Okoro.

Postpublished at 18:53 GMT 8 November 2025

18:53 GMT 8 November 2025

Linfield 1-0 Coleraine

Linfield goalkeeper Chris Johns is down receiving treatment.

Andy Waterworth
Former Linfield striker on BBC iPlayer

What a goal. From Coleraine's point of view, you can't let the ball bounce, someone has to head it but what a finish. Matthew Fitzpatrick take a bow.

Linfield are camped in the Colerain half but haven't been able to test Aidan Harris in the Coleraine goal so far in the opening 10 minutes of the second half.

Levi Ives finds Joel Cooper on the edge of the box from a corner, with the former Linfield man blasting well over the bar with his left foot.

It is a well worked set piece from the visitors, who have clearly practiced it on the training ground.

Andy Waterworth
Former Linfield striker on BBC iPlayer

Coleraine's attack looks a bit disjointed at the minute even though they have top players on the pitch. Joel Cooper just hasn't had the impact he usually has on this game.

Back under way in south Belfast with all to play for in the second half.

No changes at the break from either manager who both stick with their respective starting XIs.

And here's the draw for the semi-finals which are scheduled to be played on 27 and 28 January.

Image source, BBC Sport

The draw for the last eight of the BetMcLean Cup has thrown up some intriguing ties which are to be played on 2 and 3 December.

Here it is...

Image source, BBC Sport

Andy Waterworth
Former Linfield striker on BBC iPlayer

It's been a really even affair, David Healy might be the happier in that Linfield have stifled Coleraine's attack.

Goalless at the break but there have been chances aplenty at both ends of the pitch.

Linfield were on top for large spells of the first half, but Coleraine perhaps came the closest to finding the back of the net.

All to play for in the second half.

Image source, Pacemaker

A third Linfield player goes in the book just before the break a Ben Hall is awarded a yellow card for his late challenge on Matthew Shevlin.

Linfield go straight up the other end and almost break the deadlock themselves as Kieran Offord's cross-cum-shot flies just beyond Matthew Fitzpatrick and just wide of the far post.

Joel Cooper then forces Chris Johns into another save right up the other end, this time with a powerful left-footed strike from outside the area.

Andy Waterworth
Former Linfield striker on BBC iPlayer

Chris Johns has kept his team in the game with that save.

Chris Johns denies former teammate Joel Cooper from opening the scoring for the visitors with a superb stop.

Cooper gambles on Sam Roscoe's miscued header before taking a touch and trying to dink the ball over the onrushing Johns, who stands tall and denies Cooper the opening goal.

Kyle McClean joins Ethan McGee in referee Jamie Robinson's book for his challenge on Lyndon Kane.

Linfield are on top once again as they look to find the opener before half-time.

Their latest opportunity fell to Kirk Millar, who controls Dane McCullough's cross with his chest before striking with a right-footed volley.

Millar's effort is wide of the left-hand upright but isn't too far away.

Six minutes left of normal time left in the first half.

Kyle McClean dispossesses Kodi Lyons-Foster in a dangerous area and bears down on goal, but Charles Dunne stands strong and stops McClean from getting a clean shot away.

The Linfield midfielder can only poke a tame effort goalward, which Aidan Harris deals with routinely.