Portadown are back in Danske Bank Premiership action tomorrow (Sat 16 Oct) after a fortnights break when we take on Ballymena United at Shamrock Park, kick off is 3pm and the game will be streamed live on We Are Ports TV LIVE via the Performa platform at a cost of £10.

Portadown come into the game on the back of a terrific 3-2 comeback victory over Warrenpoint Town at Milltown last time out, a game which they trailed 2-0 with 67 minutes gone, while Ballymena United come into the game after a last gasp 3-2 victory after extra time over Crusaders in the League Cup on Wednesday night.

Ballymena United, like Portadown, have had a difficult start to this seasons Danske Bank Premiership campaign only notching up the one victory – a 4-3 victory over Dungannon Swifts at the Showgrounds, and sit level with the Ports on 4 points in 9th place.

It’s been a summer of upheaval at the Showgrounds with 9 players departing – Shay McCartan, Joe McCready, Ross Glendinning, Jim Ervin, Tony Kane, Ryan Harpur, James Knowles, Jonny Addis and Kofi Balmer with Trai Hume also returning to Linfield after his loan spell, while 9 players came in – Brendan Barr (loan), Dougie Wilson, Sam Johnston, Lee Chapman, Caolan Loughran, Chris Rodgers, David Parkhouse, Jack Henderson and Jonte Smith.

Ballymena United have been hit with two long term injuries in the opening months of this season, David Parkhouse sustained a serious knee injury in the opening game of the season while Josh Kelly is also facing several months out after breaking a bone in his foot in the defeat to Glentoran in September.

The last time the two clubs met was the last game of last season with Ballymena United running out 4-2 winners at the Showgrounds with goals from Shay McCartan, Trai Hume, Conor Keeley and Ryan Harpur while Ruairi Croskery and Sam Warde were on target for Portadown. In fact Ballymena have won nine of the last ten meetings in all competitions between the two clubs with the Ports last victory over the Braidmen coming back in April 2016 when goals from Ken Oman and Matty Parker secured a 2-0 victory for the Ports at the Showgrounds in the last game of the 2015/16 campaign. The Ports last victory over the Braidmen at Shamrock Park came back in October 2015 when goals from Ken Oman, Sean Mackle and Peter McMahon sealed a 3-2 win with current Portadown manager Matthew Tipton among the Ballymena goal scorers.

This is what Portadown manager Matthew Tipton had to say on tomorrows game

We go into tomorrow’s game after a two week break. Whilst it’s been good to help us get rid of a few knocks & niggles that we were carrying I’m pretty sure everyone, players, staff & fans would have liked a game as soon as possible after the great victory at Warrenpoint. We must now follow that victory up with a home performance & result that has so far eluded us this season & we will need the full backing of everyone that attends tomorrow as Ballymena will be as tough a game as we can expect all season.

In terms of injuries we have bad news with both Ruairi Croskery & Oran Jackson scans both confirming that they need surgery to ankle & hip respectively with both being out for 3/4 months which is a massive blow to both lads as well as the squad. What this will now do is open up a place for another youngster to step into the squad.

On a positive note Callum, Luke & Paddy have all started their on pitch now after passing their stage 2 rehab testing with Scott.

Eoin Teggart is still awaiting international clearance but we are hopeful that is through in time for tomorrow.

 

The officials are – Referee – Evan Boyce / Assistant 1 – Kristian Hanna  / Assistant 2 – Ken Ross / 4th official – Barry Monaghan

 

Tomorrows game will be live streamed by We Are Ports TV LIVE via https://www.performatv.com/game/portadown-vs-ballymena-united-16-10-21

 

Online tickets for the game are available via https://tickets.portadownfc.co.uk/fixtures/

 

While online tickets for matches still remain, a cash gate is now also available (for home supporters only) at each game at Shamrock Park (except in the event where a game has sold out online in advance of the game). We would add however that purchasing your ticket online remains the best way to guarantee your seat for games and would still actively encourage supporters to avail of the facility.

This Saturday also sees the return of the club’s ‘Oktoberfest’ event, the event will be on a smaller scale than previous ‘Oktoberfests’ however there will still be plenty from around the world to sample as well as special promotions and music. Gates are open from 12:30pm

 

Match Sponsor – Palyn Transport Management Consultants

PSS Man of the Match Sponsor – Lee Leckey

 

Form (LAST FIVE PREMIERSHIP GAMES – MOST RECENT GAME LAST)

  • Portadown –  L, L, L, L, W (10th in DBP)
  • Ballymena United – D, L, W, L, L (9th in DBP)

 

Last Five Head to Head (All competitions)

  • Saturday 29 May 2021 – Ballymena Utd 4 (McCartan, Hume, Keeley, Harpur) Portadown 2 (Croskery, Warde)
  • Tuesday 27 April 2021 – Ballymena United 4 (McElroy x2, Waide, McCartan (p)) Portadown 1 (Bonis)
  • Saturday 13 March 2021 – Ballymena United 2 (McCartan, McElroy (pen)) Portadown 1 (Wilson)
  • Saturday 27 February 2021 – Portadown 1 (Warde) Ballymena United 2 (McCartan, Redman)
  • Saturday 5 December 2020 – Portadown 0 Ballymena United 0

 

Last Five Head to Head at Shamrock Park (All competitions)

  • Saturday 27 February 2021 – Portadown 1 (Warde) Ballymena United 2 (McCartan, Redman)
  • Saturday 5 December 2020 – Portadown 0 Ballymena United 0
  • Saturday 17 September 2016 – Portadown 0 Ballymena United 2 (Owens, McMurray)
  • Friday 1 January 2016 – Portadown 3 (Soares, Breen, Mackle) Ballymena United 4 (Jenkins x2, McBride, Cushley)
  • Saturday 10 October 2015 – Portadown 3 (Oman, Mackle, McMahon) Ballymena United 2 (Gawley, Tipton)