Jamie With The Blues

JAMIE Richards’ European dream is over after Linfield suffered defeat in Stockholm against AIK Solna on Thursday night in the Europa League second qualifying round.

The 20 year-old defender, who is currently on loan with the Northern Ireland club until January, played the full game against the Swedish side.  

Linfield had led 1-0 from the first leg at Mourneview Park last Thursday, but a 2-0 defeat at Solna’s Friends Arena put paid to the Blues’ chances of reaching the next round. 

Nigerian striker Kennedy Igboananike opened the scoring on the night after a slip in the box by a Linfield defender 10 minutes after half time. Solna increased their lead 20 minutes from time with a Henok Goltom goal, slotted home from the edge of the box. 

After winning the two-legged fixture 2-1 on aggregate, AIK will now go through to the third round on Thursday, July 31, to play FC Astana of Kazakhstan.

Linfield manager – and former Pilgrim - Warren Feeney was nevertheless proud of his team’s performance. He said: “No-one likes getting beaten, but what a performance from the boys.  Mistakes did cost us, but I could not criticise any of the players.”