Healy on mark for both sides

Mar 27 2008 Western Mail

DAVID HEALY scored for both sides as Northern Ireland’s first-half blitz proved enough to see off Georgia.

Healy was given a special award by Uefa president Michel Platini before the match in honour of his scoring exploits in Euro 2008 qualifying, but he missed a string of chances before Burnley striker Kyle Lafferty finished a snappy move for the opener.

Healy did register with a deflected long-range shot before Lafferty headed a third, his second, as the hapless Georgians capitulated before the break.

Nigel Worthington’s team lost momentum badly after the break following a string of substitutions, and Healy slid the ball into his own net after Maik Taylor had saved Levan Tskitishvili’s spot-kick following a handball by Michael O’Connor.

Peter Thompson bundled in a late fourth for the hosts.

The home side dominated from the off.

Healy almost made it 34 international goals in the 15th minute when Georgia goalkeeper George Makaridze spilled a cross from the recalled Stuart Elliott, but he atoned for his error to save the striker’s mis-hit follow-up effort.

Moments later Healy turned and sent a dipping 20-yard shot just past the post before yet another shot was well blocked.

Healy got on to a bouncing ball that eluded the defence to fire in another effort from the edge of the area, which was straight at Makaridze.

The home side were utterly dominant and fashioned a classy opening goal in the 25th minute after the Georgians gave the ball away.

Healy fed Steven Davis, who squared for Lafferty to score his fourth international goal with a first-time shot from 10 yards.

Taylor saw his first action of the night in the 32nd minute when he was forced to punch clear Alexander Iashvili’s shot from an acute angle.

But it was two a minute later when Healy latched on to Damien Johnson’s header and shot from 25 yards.

A wicked deflection off defender Kakha Kaladze was enough to send it past the sprawling Makaridze.

Lafferty then made it three in the 36th minute with a fine header from Healy’s right-wing cross.

Crewe midfielder O’Connor came on for his debut at the start of the second half, with Warren Feeney also joining the action as Johnson and Lafferty made way.

Then, out of nowhere, the visitors won a penalty in the 54th minute when O’Connor handled a cross.

Taylor made a brilliant save to tip Tskitishvili’s spot-kick on to the post, and as the midfielder attempted to collect the follow-up, Healy slid in to challenge but only succeeded in sending the ball into his own net.

In the 87th minute, Thompson bundled home a fourth for Northern Ireland – arguably with his arm – after Aaron Hughes’ flick-on caused panic in the Georgian defence.