BetMcLean Cup: Linfield beat Glentoran in extra time to win the BetMcLean Cup

It was a lively start from both sides in front of a capacity crowd in the sunshine at Windsor Park.

Glentoran created the best chances in the first half, with Jordan Stewart missing three good chances in quick succession.

The first arrived in the 10th minute when Danny Amos played in a low angle from the right that was met by former Linfield midfielder Stewart, but he fired the shot over the bar.

Two minutes later, Ben Hall’s ball hit Stewart and fell into the 30-year-old’s goal, but he seized the opportunity and shot the ball over the crossbar from inside the penalty area.

They came close to breaking the deadlock in the 15th minute when Josh Daniels’ cross fell to Stewart at the other end and his low first-time effort rebounded wide of the far post.

Daniels then blocked a shot before Kirk Millar half-volleyed a cross at the other end for the Blues.

After a lull in the game, Stewart had another big chance before half-time.

Patrick Hoban’s shot was deflected into Stewart’s path, but just as he went for the shot, Isaac Bird flicked the ball over to deflect the ball back.

Linfield had the first significant chance of the second half in the 54th minute as Kyle McLean sent a clever pass into the path of Matthew Fitzpatrick, whose ferocious shot was blocked by Billy Crellin.

Soon after, at the other end, Amos’ half-volley was pushed back by Chris Jones.

There was then an 84th-minute VAR intervention for a short handball check in the Linfield area which was quickly cleared.

The match ended in failure and extra time was required, which was as cautious as the end of normal time.

That was until four minutes from time when late drama erupted when the ball was passed to Mackie, with Camson-Kamara diving to bring down the Blues substitute.

He kept his composure to send Crellin the wrong way and snatch a late win for Linfield as they achieved a third success in this competition in four years.

More to follow.