Portadown are back in Danske Bank Premiership action tomorrow (Sat 6 Nov) when we take on Linfield at Shamrock Park, kick off 3pm.
Linfield come into the game off the back of a record breaking 11-0 victory over PSNI on Tuesday evening in the BetMcLean League Cup , a game that saw Billy Chadwick grab a hat trick against their Premier Intermediate opponents. In Premiership matters the Blues were 3-0 winners over Dunngannon Swifts at Windsor Park last time out with Matthew Clarke and Matt Green (2) on the scoresheet. As for Portadown, they were soundly beaten 4-0 by Cliftonville at Solitude on Tuesday evening in the Danske Bank Premiership.
The last time the two teams met was in September with Linfield running out 3-2 winners at Shamrock Park in an exciting game which saw Portadown lead twice through goals from Ruairi Croskery and Lee Bonis before a 85th minute sizzler from distance from Christy Manzinga saw David Healy’s men head back up the M1 with all three points.
Portadown’s recent league record against Linfield at Shamrock Park sees them with three victories in the last eight however Linfield have won five of the last six meetings on Portadown’s home patch. Portadown’s last league victory over Linfield at Shamrock Park was back in February 2016 when goals from former Linfield players Mark McAllister & Philip Lowry secured a 2-1 win in a game which also seen Ken Oman dismissed for Portadown. Portadown would actually do the home double over Linfield that 2015/16 season as they also defeated Linfield 2-0 in November 2015 with goals from another ex Linfield player Chris Casement as well as a late goal from Marcio Soares.
Portadown manager Matthew Tipton spoke to the Portadown media team ahead of tomorrows game and had the following to say:
After what seems like an age we are back at home for a league game tomorrow. Regardless of league position Linfield are the best team in the league & we know that if we are anywhere below maximum tomorrow then that won’t be enough. This is both mentally & physically so we have to make sure everyone is prepared.
We will be missing Michael Ruddy through suspension but will have Sammie McLeod back after he missed Tuesday through suspension.
The officials are – Referee – Tony Clarke / Assistant 1 – Gavin Hegarty / Assistant 2 – Jamie Carnduff / 4th official – Declan Hassan
- MATCH SPONSOR – Stevenson Agencies (Sydney Stevenson)
- MATCH BALL SPONSOR – Discount Blinds (Stephen Dickson)
- PSS MAN OF THE MATCH SPONSOR – PFC Grounds Staff
Online tickets for the game are available via https://tickets.portadownfc.co.uk/fixtures/ / A cash turnstile will be available for HOME SUPPORTERS ONLY, any Linfield supporters trying to or found to gain access to the home stand will face ejection from the stadium.
For those unable to make it to Shamrock Park tomorrow the game will be live streamed on We Are Ports TV LIVE with former Ports defender Brian Gartland on co-commentary, the cost to purchase the game is £10 via https://www.performatv.com/game/portadown-vs-linfield-06-11-21
Form (LAST FIVE PREMIERSHIP GAMES – MOST RECENT GAME LAST)
- Portadown – W, L, D, L, L (11th in DBP)
- Linfield – D, W, W, D, W (2nd in DBP)
Last Five Head to Head (All competitions)
- Saturday 11 September 2021 – Portadown 2 (Croskery, Bonis) Linfield 3 (Manzinga x2, Green)
- Saturday 27th March 2021 – Portadown 0 Linfield 1 (Stewart)
- Tuesday 2 February 2021 – Linfield 3 (Lavery x3) Portadown 0
- Saturday 7 November 2020 – Portadown 1 (Bonis) Linfield 2 (Millar, Waterworth)
- Tuesday 4 December 2018 – Portadown 1 (Carmichael) Linfield 2 (O’Connor, Stewart)
Last Five Head to Head at Shamrock Park (All competitions)
- Saturday 11 September 2021 – Portadown 2 (Croskery, Bonis) Linfield 3 (Manzinga x2, Green)
- Saturday 27th March 2021 – Portadown 0 Linfield 1 (Stewart)
- Saturday 7 November 2020 – Portadown 1 (Bonis) Linfield 2 (Millar, Waterworth)
- Tuesday 4 December 2018 – Portadown 1 (Carmichael) Linfield 2 (O’Connor, Stewart)
- Saturday 26 November 2016 – Portadown 0 Linfield 5 (Lowey, Smyth, Millar, Mulgrew, Stafford)