Portadown are back in Danske Bank Premiership this Saturday (Sat 13 March) when we take on Ballymena United at the Ballymena Showgrounds, kick off 3pm.

Last time out in the Dankse Bank Premiership Portadown were on the end of a 2-1 defeat to Glenavon at Shamrock Park while Ballymena United had an impressive 2-0 win over Glentoran at the Oval which brought an end to Glentoran’s six game winning run.

The last time the two clubs met was only a fortnight ago with Ballymena running out 2-1 winners thanks to a late Ross Redman winner after Sam Warde had given Portadown the lead. In fact Ballymena have won seven of the last nine meetings in all competitions between the two clubs with the Ports last victory over the Braidmen coming back in April 2016 at the Ballymena Showgrounds when Portadown ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Ken Oman and Matthew Parker.

Here’s what manager Matthew Tipton had to say about Saturdays game:

This weekend is the first time since we have entered this period of Saturday Tuesday games that we can look forward to a clear week ahead after the game & if I’m being honest it can’t come quick enough as we have a fair few players running on empty as well as ones struggling with injuries that probably won’t even make tomorrow. This will lead to many changes in our starting eleven but this will give chances to players that having been knocking my door looking to get more game time. I fully believe in every member of our squad so we will be approaching the game like we always do to get a positive result.

 

The officials are – Referee – Christopher Morrison / Assistant 1 – Ryan Kelsey  / Assistant 2 – Ken Ross / 4th official – Declan Hassan

 

Form (LAST FIVE ALL COMPETITIONS – MOST RECENT GAME LAST)

  • Ballymena United (7th in DBP) – L, W, D, D, W
  • Portadown (10th in DBP) – L, L, L, W, L

 

Last Five Head to Head (All competitions)

  • Saturday 27 February 2021 – Portadown 1 (Warde) Ballymena United 2 (McCartan, Redman)
  • Saturday 5 December 2020 – Portadown 0 Ballymena United 0
  • Monday 11 February 2019 – Ballymena United 4 (Friel, Lecky x2, Ervine) Portadown 1 (Salley)
  • Tuesday 10 October 2017 – Ballymena United 2 (Owens, Braniff) Portadown 0
  • Saturday 11 March 2017 – Ballymena United 3 (Kerr, Flynn, Kane) Portadown 0

 

Last Five Head to Head at Ballymena Showgrounds (All competitions)

  • Monday 11 February 2019 – Ballymena United 4 (Friel, Lecky x2, Ervine) Portadown 1 (Salley)
  • Tuesday 10 October 2017 – Ballymena United 2 (Owens, Braniff) Portadown 0
  • Saturday 11 March 2017 – Ballymena United 3 (Kerr, Flynn, Kane) Portadown 0
  • Saturday 3 December 2016 – Ballymena United 2 (McCaffrey x2) Portadown 0
  • Saturday 30 April 2016 – Ballymena United 0 Portadown 2 (Oman, Parker)