Portadown are back in Danske Bank Premiership action tomorrow (Sat 28 November) when we take on Cliftonville at Solitude, kick off 3pm.
There will be a dark cloud hanging over Portadown Football Club when the team runs out at Solitude tomorrow as a result of todays sad news that club stalwart Nat Richardson has passed away however we can be assured that the team will give performance befitting of Nat and will aim to do him proud.
It’s been 18 days since Portadown were last in action with games against Dungannon Swifts and Glentoran postponed due to international call ups and the NI Football League’s Covid Case Policy respectively.
Cliftonville are coming off the back of a 4-0 home defeat to Ballymena United, their third consecutive Danske Bank Premiership loss following reversals away to Larne and Dungannon Swifts so manager Paddy McLaughlin will be expecting a response from his team tomorrow, Portadown are also coming off the back of a defeat, a 4-1 loss at Carrick Rangers, and will be in determined mood to pick up their first victory since that opening day win over Glenavon.
The last time the two clubs met was back in January 2017 when Cliftonville ran out 3-0 winners, a twelfth win in a row over the men from Shamrock Park and all twelve wins without conceding a goal.
As the above stat suggests Portadown have a pretty sorry recent record at Solitude losing the last seven with the last win over Cliftonville coming back in January 2014 thanks to a Gary Twigg goal – that win in January 2014 at Solitude being the last time Ports secured a win over Cliftonville.
Both teams can boast former players from each club in their current squads – Cliftonville having former Ports Garry Breen, Chris Curran and Declan Dunne who spent a season long loan at Shamrock Park while Portadown have Paddy McNally, Conall McGrandles and Chris Crane who all were on the books of Cliftonville. Down through the years quite a number have represented both teams including Darren Murray, Chris Ramsey, Peter Hutton, Peter Murray, John Convery, Michael Collins and Stevie Cowan among them.
Cliftonville ended last seasons curtailed campaign in fourth place and manager Paddy McLaughlin has added Mark McKee, Ryan O’Reilly and Ethan Devine to their ranks to help improve on that position this season however the club confirmed this week that Levi Ives and Donal Rocks have both undergone operations this week and will be out for the foreseeable future.
Portadown manager Matthew Tipton spoke to the Portadown media team ahead of tonights game and had the following to say:
We get back to action tomorrow after 2 & a bit weeks off due to following PHA & NIFL guidelines regarding coronavirus protocols. Whilst it’s been strange having no football during the season it’s something we have to accept & get on with to the best of our ability tomorrow & going forward.
With no fans allowed for the next few games I’m hoping you will all be backing us from home with the same enthusiasm as though you are in the stands.
We go into the game with sad news reaching us regarding Nat Richardson who passed away this morning. Nat was a true legend of Portadown football club & we hope to go out tomorrow to produce a performance that Nat would be proud of.
Tomorrows game will be live streamed by Cliftonville via https://www.247.tv/niprem
The officials are – Referee – Tim Marshall / Assistant 1 – Adam Jeffrey / Assistant 2 – Vikki Finlay / 4th official – Shane Andrews
Form (LAST FIVE ALL COMPETITIONS – MOST RECENT GAME LAST)
Cliftonville (4th in DBP) – L, W, L, L, L
Portadown (10th in DBP) – W, L, D, L, L
Last Five Head to Head (All competitions)
Saturday 28 January 2017 – Cliftonville 3 (Winchester, J.Donnelly, Curran) Portadown 0
Saturday 10 December 2016 – Cliftonville 1 (Breen OG) Portadown 0
Saturday 24 September 2016 – Portadown 0 Cliftonville 3 (McGuinness, McDaid, Garrett)
Saturday 30 January 2016 – Cliftonville 1 (J.Donnelly) Portadown 0
Saturday 17 October 2015 – Cliftonville 3 (Garrett x2, J.Donnelly) Portadown 0
Last Five Head to Head at Solitude (All competitions)
Saturday 28 January 2017 – Cliftonville 3 (Winchester, J.Donnelly, Curran) Portadown 0
Saturday 10 December 2016 – Cliftonville 1 (Breen OG) Portadown 0
Saturday 30 January 2016 – Cliftonville 1 (J.Donnelly) Portadown 0
Saturday 17 October 2015 – Cliftonville 3 (Garrett x2, J.Donnelly) Portadown 0
Saturday 4 April 2015 – Cliftonville 4 (Gormley x3, M.Donnelly) Portadown 0