Portadown return to Bluefin Sport Championship action this Saturday (28 Sept 19) when we make the trip to The Dub to take on the PSNI (kick off 3pm).
The PSNI are playing all their home games in 2019/20 at the Dub at Queens University as Newforge is undergoing major reconstruction and being replaced with a new 4G surface as well as new changing rooms, floodlights and stands.
The Ports are coming off the back of six straight league victories which has them go four points clear at the top of the Bluefin Sport Championship while also having the best scoring and defensive records in the league so manager Matthew Tipton will be hoping to continue the clubs best winning run since the 2008/09 season.
Portadown will be without Chris Lavery who has sustained a grade 1 medial ligament tear which will see him sidelined for up to a month however apart from the afore mentioned Lavery the manager should have a full squad to pick from which includes ace marksman Lee Bonis who can boast six goals in his last six league games including a stunner last week against Dergview.
The PSNI have had a mixed bag of results so far this season with four wins & four defeats as well as a solidarity draw in their last outing against H&W Welders however they are currently on a five match unbeaten run in the league which has seen them pick up 3 points against Knockbreda, Ballyclare Comrades, Newry City AFC and Dergview so will be eager to keep that run going on Saturday.
While the Ports can boast the best defensive record the PSNI have the worst defensive record in the league which seen them lose their opening four league games conceding 18 goals in the process during heavy defeats to Ards, Queens University, Dundela and Loughgall. Speaking of defences the Portadown defence will have to be on the top of their game to keep PSNI striker Tony Tumelty quiet, he has scored five goals in eight appearances this season.
Portadown have found trips to the PSNI difficult since our relegation to the Championship and have yet to pick up three points from our visits to Newforge since our demotion with PSNI beating us 3-2 last season and picking up a point in 2017/18. Incidentally Portadown’s last victory over the PSNI at Newforge came back in 2015 in our run to the Irish Cup Final when we ran out 2-1 winners after extra time thanks to goals from Gary Twigg and Chris Casement.
The officials are – Referee – Niall Gallagher / Assistant 1 – Jamie Carnduff / Assistant 2 – Richard Hegarty
2019/20 Bluefin Sport Championship season so far
Portadown – Played 9, Won 7, Drew 1, Lost 1. Goals for 23 / Goals against 5 – Bluefin Sport Championship position – 1st
PSNI – Played 9, Won 4, Drew 1, Lost 4. Goals for 16 / Goals against 25 – Bluefin Sport Championship position – 6th
Portadown Away League Form 2019/20 / Played 4, Won 3, Drew 1. Goals for 11 / against 3
PSNI Home League Form 2019/20 / Played 4, Won 2, Lost 2. Goals for 7 / Goals against 11
Last Five Head to Head
Saturday 3 November 2018 – PSNI 3 (Adamcyzk, Malone 2) Portadown 2 (Lavery, Carmichael)
Saturday 18 August 2018 – Portadown 2 (Mackle, Lavery) PSNI 0
Saturday 30 December 2017 – Portadown 3 (Salley 2, D.Henderson) PSNI 0
Saturday 26 August 2017 – PSNI 1 (Watts) Portadown 1 (N.Henderson)
Saturday 10 January 2015 – PSNI 1 (Agnew) Portadown 2 (Twigg, Casemsent) – Result after extra time.
#WeArePorts highlights of previous Bluefin Sport Championship game against PSNI