A goal from Ben Tilney and two from Adam Salley sealed a 3-1 win over Warrenpoint Town at Milltown on Saturday afternoon.
Going into the game the home side, in search of their first win in twelve games made one change from their 4-3 defeat to Glenavon in their last game, with Stuart Hutchinson replacing Adam Carroll who is on the bench.
For Portadown, following Tuesdays win over Larne manager Matthew Tipton made three changes to the starting line up with Lee Bonis, Ben Tilney and Adam Salley coming in for Chris Lavery, Stephen Murray and Ruairi Croskery.
On 3 minutes the home side had an opportunity when an Alan O’Sullivan header from close range was easily gathered by Jacob Carney.
On 8 minutes Ryan Swan went on a good run down the right side however his shot was tame and easily gathered by the Ports keeper.
On 16 minutes Portadown would get the opening goal when Ben Tilney intercepted a wayward Warrenpoint header before sending a fantastic effort from the edge of the box into the top left corner well beyond the reach of Andy Coleman.
On 21 minutes Lee Bonis found Adam Salley with cross, with the latter turning and sending an effort off target from a good position in the box.
On 29 minutes, following a good run by Point captain McCaffery, Ryan Swan had a shot cleared off the line by Eamon Scannell in a big chance for the home side.
On 32 minutes the hosts got the equaliser when Point captain McCaffery was on the receiving end of a deep cross before sending header across goal to Ryan Swan who, with a diving header put the ball in the back of the net.
Half time score: Warrenpoint Town 1 (Swan 32’) Portadown 1 (Tilney 16’)
At the start of the second half Alan O’Sullivan intercepted the ball following a defence error from Greg Hall, with Carney saving the strikers effort from close range on 46 minutes.
On 56 minutes Portadowns lead would be restored, when striker Adam Salley headed past the keeper at the near post from corner.
On 60 minutes Point captain McCaffery found himself in a good position at the right side however his shot could only hit the side netting.
On 63 minutes Portadown would have a penalty when referee Keith Kennedy pointed to the spot following a foul on Lee Bonis. Warrenpoint Town defender Daniel Byrne received a straight red card for the foul reducing the home side to ten men. Goalscorer Salley put the ball past the keeper to make it 3-1 from the spot.
On 72 minutes Warrenpoints Hutchinson had a shot following a Deasy throw in blocked by Greg Hall and put out for a corner.
On 74 minutes Adam Salley connected with a Ben Tilney free kick, however his header was gathered by Coleman in the Warrenpoint goal.
On 86 minutes Adam Salley had a shot from range saved by Andy Coleman in pursuit of a hattrick. In the two minutes of stoppage time Warrenpoints Deasy had an effort in the box which was blocked by Greg Hall.
Following the period of stoppage time referee blew for the full time whistle giving Portadown a 3-1 win and their first win at Milltown.
Our next game is this Tuesday 27th April when we travel to play Ballymena United in the Sadlers Peaky Blinder Irish Cup. KO is 7:45pm.
Full time score: Warrenpoint Town 1 (Swan 32’, Byrne s/o 63’) Portadown 3 (Tilney 16, Salley 56,64 (P) ) (match took place behind closed doors)
Referee – Keith Kennedy Assistant 1 – Stephen Donaldson Assistant 2 – Adam Jeffrey 4th official – Christopher Morrison
Warrenpoint Town XI (managed by Barry Gray): 21.Coleman (GK), 2.Deasy, 3.Ball, 7.Dillon, 9.O’Sullivan (replaced by Carroll 62’), 10.McCaffrey (C) (replaced by Doyle 84’), 11.Gallagher, 15.Swan (scorer 32’), 22.Hutchinson, 23.Wallace, 25.Byrne (s/o 63’) Warrenpoint Town substitutes: 1.Sava (GK) (unused), 6.McVeigh (unused), 12.Carroll, 14.Mullen (unused), 18.Cowan (unused), 27.Doyle, 31.Forsythe (unused)
Portadown XI (managed by Matthew Tipton): 52.Carney (GK), 4.McCallum, 5.Finnegan, 9.Salley (scorer 56’,64’),10.Bonis (C) (booked 81’), 19.Guy, (replaced by Murray 78’), 20.Teggart, 22.Kerr, 23.Warde (replaced by McKeown 65’), 25.Scannell (replaced by Hall 45’), 44.Tilney (scorer 16’) Portadown substitutes: 33.Buchanan (GK) (unused), 2.Hall, 6.McKeown, 8.Tipton (unused), 11.Murray, 17.Croskery (unused), 21.Conaty (unused)
Written by Alex Morrison.