Portadown are back in Danske Bank Premiership action tomorrow (Sat 23 October) when we take on Glentoran at the Oval.
Glentoran come into the game off the back of a 2-2 draw against Coleraine at the Oval last Saturday, a game that hit the headlines due to the sending off of Glens goalkeeper Aaron McCarey following an altercation with team mate Bobby Burns. Portadown travel to the Oval following a 5-2 Mid-Ulster Cup defeat to Warrenpoint Town in midweek however the Ports side that lined up in that game was a completely different eleven to the side Matthew Tipton sent out last Saturday in the 1-0 Premiership defeat to Ballymena United.
Glentoran won all three games between the sides last season, in the first game at the Oval on 2nd January goals from Paddy McClean and Jay Donnelly put Glentoran 2-0 up within the first 15 minutes with Ports striker Adam Salley’s 81st minute strike setting up a grandstand finish but the Glens would hold on for the 2-1 victory. Glentoran would go on to secure a 3-1 victory at Shamrock Park in February and a further 4-0 success at the Oval in April thanks to goals form Rory Donnelly (2), Robbie McDaid and Andrew Mitchell.
The last time the Ports were victorious over Glentoran was back in December 2015 when we ran out 5-3 winners at Shamrock Park in one of many classic Ports v Glens games over the years, Ports scorers that evening were Gary Twigg with two, Darren Murray with two and a Robert Garrett goal – Glens goals came from Curtis Allen (2) and Marcus Kane. For Portadown’s last win at the Oval you have to go back to December 2013 when goals from Gary Twigg and Darren Murray seen the Ports run out 2-0 winners and bringing an end to Glentoran’s 8 game unbeaten run.
Last Saturday’s home loss to Ballymena United was compounded with midfielder Oisin Conaty and ex Glentoran defender Nathan Kerr picking up red cards, Kerr’s suspension was cleared with the Mid Ulster Cup game during the week but Oisin Conaty has a further 2 matches of his suspension to serve which rules him out of the trip to the Oval. Portadown also come into the game without Ruairi Croskery and Oran Jackson who have both been ruled out for several months while Captain Luke Wilson, midfielder Callum McVeigh and Paddy NcNally are working their way back to fitness after cruciate ligament injuries but won’t figure until the second half of the season at the very earliest. Recent signing Eoin Teggart could make his debut for Portadown following his signing last week after his release from English League One side Portsmouth.
Glentoran have won the last six games between the clubs in all competitions including an Irish Cup tie on penalties and have also won seven of the last eight meetings at the Oval.
This is what Portadown manager Matthew Tipton had to say ahead of tomorrows game against Glentoran
Tomorrow sees the first of 3 away games in the league with a trip to the oval. We know what to expect tomorrow against a strong Glentoran squad & it’s up to us to go there & make things difficult for them.
We will be missing Oisin through his suspension but Nathan served his during the midweek mid Ulster cup game.
The officials are – Referee – Lee Tavinder / Assistant 1 – Stephen Bell / Assistant 2 – John Doherty / 4th official – Raymond Crangle
Tomorrows game will be pay at the gate for supporters with entrance for Portadown supporters via the Dee Street Tunnel.
Supporters Club Buses travelling:
- Eden Reds – Departing Gary’s Bar at 1:30pm & Shamrock Park at 1:45pm
- PFC Travel Club – Departing Shamrock Park at 1:30pm & J.D Tiplers at 1:45pm with a stop at Friar Tucks at Lurgan roundabout
- Richhill Reds – Departing Richhill at 1:30pm and the Property Spot in Portadown at 1:45pm
- Shamrock Reds leave Shamrock Park at 1:45pm with non member welcome
Form (LAST FIVE PREMIERSHIP GAMES – MOST RECENT GAME LAST)
- Glentoran – W, L, L, W, D (6th in DBP)
- Portadown – L, L, L, W, L (10th in DBP)
Last Five Head to Head (All competitions)
- Saturday 3 April 2021 – Glentoran 4 (R.Donnelly x2, McDaid, Mitchell) Portadown 0
- Tuesday 16 February 2021 – Portadown 1 (Bonis) Glentoran 3 (McMenamin, Plum, Donnelly)
- Saturday 2 January 2021 – Glentoran 2 (McClean, Donnelly) Portadown 1 (Salley)
- Saturday 4 January 2020 – Glentoran 2 (Plum (pen), Frazer) Portadown 2 (Bonis, McKenna)
- Saturday 22 April 2017 – Glentoran 3 (Allen x2, E.Foley) Portadown 0
Last Five Head to Head at the Oval (All competitions)
- Saturday 3 April 2021 – Glentoran 4 (R.Donnelly x2, McDaid, Mitchell) Portadown 0
- Saturday 2 January 2021 – Glentoran 2 (McClean, Donnelly) Portadown 1 (Salley)
- Saturday 4 January 2020 – Glentoran 2 (Plum (pen), Frazer) Portadown 2 (Bonis, McKenna)
- Saturday 22 April 2017 – Glentoran 3 (Allen x2, E.Foley) Portadown 0
- Saturday 5 November 2016 – Glentoran 0 Portadown 0