Portadown are back in Danske Bank Premiership tomorrow evening (Tues 8 December) when we take on Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park, kick off 7:45pm.
Dungannon Swifts are coming off the back of an impressive 2-0 win over Coleraine on Friday evening while the Ports held Ballymena United to a goalless draw at Shamrock Park on Saturday .
The last time the two clubs met was back in April 2017 with the Swifts running out 2-0 winners in what was the Ports final Premiership game prior to this season. Dungannon Swifts have won the last four meetings between the clubs at Stangmore Park with the Ports last victory in County Tyrone coming back in November 2014 when a last gasp Tim Mouncey goal sealed a 3-2 win for the men from Shamrock Park.
Dungannon Swifts ended last seasons curtailed campaign in ninth place with Kris Lindsay adding midfielder Dylan O’Kane who has recently returned home from America and forward Lorcan Forde following his release from Linfield.
Portadown manager Matthew Tipton spoke to the Portadown media team ahead of tomorrow evenings game and had the following to say:
Tomorrow night we go to Dungannon on the back of our first clean sheet of the season which we hope to build upon starting tomorrow.
Dungannon have had 2 good results at home v Cliftonville & Coleraine so we go there expecting a tough game but in the knowledge we have got plenty to give ourselves.
Obviously Paddy was stretchered off on Saturday & whilst initial X-rays ruled out any fracture we need to wait another 24 hours for the swelling before Chris can check for structural damage in the knee.
Stephen Murray & Cricky Crane both missed Saturday after taking heavy blows to their knees during training last week so we are now going to see how they react to yesterday’s session with the hope they can be involved tomorrow night.
Again & for hopefully the last time we will be without fans so we will rely on you all backing us from the comfort of own homes. Hopefully we will all be together very soon, until then stay safe.
The officials are – Referee – Jamie Robinson / Assistant 1 – Andrew Nethery / Assistant 2 – John Doherty / 4th official – Tim Marshall
Form (LAST FIVE ALL COMPETITIONS – MOST RECENT GAME LAST)
Dungannon Swifts (8th in DBP) – D, W, L, L, W
Portadown (11th in DBP) – D, L, L, L, D
Last Five Head to Head (All competitions)
Saturday 29 April 2017 – Dungannon Swifts 2 (Fitzpatrick, Hegarty) Portadown 0
Saturday 25 March 2017 – Portadown 0 Dungannon Swifts 1 (McMahon)
Saturday 17 December 2016 – Portadown 2 (McAllister, Hughes) Dungannon Swifts 0
Saturday 8 October 2016 – Dungannon Swifts 6 (Wilson, Armstrong, Burke, Fitzpatrick, Hegarty, Mitchell) Portadown 0
Saturday 16 April 2016 – Portadown 1 (N.Ferris) Dungannon Swifts 2 (Mitchell x2)
Last Five Head to Head at Stangmore Park (All competitions)
Saturday 29 April 2017 – Dungannon Swifts 2 (Fitzpatrick, Hegarty) Portadown 0
Saturday 8 October 2016 – Dungannon Swifts 6 (Wilson, Armstrong, Burke, Fitzpatrick, Hegarty, Mitchell) Portadown 0
Saturday 29 March 2016 – Dungannon Swifts 2 (Liggett, Mitchell) Portadown 1 (N.Ferris)
Saturday 19 December 2015 – Dungannon Swifts 3 (Burns, Harpur, McElroy) Portadown 1 (Casement)
Saturday 22 November 2014 – Dungannon Swifts 2 (Wilson, Tomelty) Portadown 3 (Murray, Twigg, Mouncey)