Portadown are back in Danske Bank Premiership action tomorrow (Sat 4 December) when we take on Glentoran at the Oval.

Glentoran come into the game off the back of a 3-0 victory over Dungannon Swifts last Saturday at the Oval thanks to goals from Jay Donnelly, Paddy McClean and Robbie McDaid and are now 9 games unbeaten in the Dankse Bank Premiership. Portadown on the other hand went down 2-0 to Crusaders at Seaview on Tuesday evening and in contrast to Glentoran, are now 9 games without a league win.

The last time the two teams met was back in October with Portadown coming from behind twice to pick up a point in a 2-2 draw thanks to goals from Michael Ruddy and Lee Bonis. Last season Glentoran won all three games between the sides, 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.

Glentoran have won eight of the last ten games between the clubs in all competitions including an Irish Cup tie on penalties and have also won seven of the last nine meetings at the Oval.

The Glens will be without long term injury victims Marcus Kane, Luke McCullough and Ciaran O’Connor while Shay McCartan is gradually coming back into contention.

 

This is what Portadown manager Matthew Tipton had to say ahead of tomorrows game against Glentoran

We are on the road again tomorrow at The Oval & it’s a tough a game as we can face with Glentoran being the form team in the league after picking up 5 wins & a draw from their last 6 games. What that means for us is that our minds are fully focused & we want to be the team that puts a stop to the run they are on. It wasn’t too long ago we went there to draw when down to 10 men so we are looking for a similar performance tomorrow.

We had a few more bodies on the training pitch last night so I’m hopeful that we are seeing the back of the run of knocks & niggles that have plagued us over the course of this season. Added to that it was great to be able to look over to see Paddy & Callum really stepping up their rehab with Scott with what looked to me like real football work so I’m hopeful in the next few weeks they will be back in with us fully.

 

The game will be streamed live by GlensTV with Performa Sports for those unable to make it to the Bet McLean Oval. The stream will cost £10 and will be available online at the following page:

https://www.performatv.com/game/glentoran-vs-portadown-04-12-21

 

The officials are – Referee – Ian McNabb / Assistant 1 – Paul Robinson / Assistant 2 – Stephen Donaldson / 4th official – Ben McMaster

 

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 2pm with non members welcome
  • 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 1:45pm and the Property Spot in Portadown at 2pm
  • Shamrock Reds leave Shamrock Park at 1:45pm with non members welcome

 

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

  • Glentoran – D, W, W, W, W (3rd in DBP)
  • Portadown – D, D, L, D, L  (11th in DBP)

 

Last Five Head to Head (All competitions)

  • Saturday 23 October 2021 – Glentoran 2 (McMenamin, J.Donnelly (P)) Portadown 2 (Ruddy, Bonis)
  • 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)

 

  • Last Five Head to Head at the Oval (All competitions)
  • Saturday 23 October 2021 – Glentoran 2 (McMenamin, J.Donnelly (P)) Portadown 2 (Ruddy, Bonis)
  • 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