It’s Mid-Ulster derby day as Portadown make their first visit of the season to Mourneview Park to take on Glenavon in the Danske Bank Premiership, kick off 3pm.

Portadown come into the game following a 1-1 draw with Glentoran on Tuesday evening while Glenavon came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Warrenpoint Town last Saturday at Mourneview Park.

Both teams would win two games apiece last season in their four Danske Bank Premiership meetings, Ports would win 4-2 at Mourneview on the opening day on their return to top flight football with goals from Stephen Murray (2), Lee Bonis and Aaron Burns and would win the next meeting between the teams at Shamrock Park by 4 goals to 1 with strikes from Sam Warde, Lee Bonis, Ben Guy and Chris Lavery – Glenavon would win the final two meetings of 2020/21 with a 2-1 victory at Shamrock Park followed up by a 4-1 success at Mourneview.

In the two meetings between the teams this season it was honours even at Shamrock Park on the opening day of this campaign with a 1-1 draw at Shamrock Park, Ports had taken the lead in the first minute of injury time through Paul Finnegan only for Michael O’Connor to equalise in the 94th minute with a free kick. Nine man Glenavon would pick up the three points in the big Boxing Day derby at Shamrock with a Peter Campbell goal sealing all three points for Gary Hamilton’s men who had Peter Campbell and Robert Garrett sent off in the first half.

Portadown manager Paul Doolin had the following to say

I’ve been involved in Mid-Ulster derbies and know what to expect, along with Trevor and Neil. They’re always tight games, good games even though both clubs aren’t where they once where.

The aim is to build on the last two performances and we are getting better and the important thing is that the players can see that too.

Adam Salley is suspended for the game after picking up a fifth booking against Glentoran on Tuesday night so we’ll have to rejig again which is frustrating as we’re trying to get a settled side.

There was a great atmosphere on Tuesday night against Glentoran and hopefully we see that again tomorrow, it’s easy to support a team when they’re at the top but not so easy when a team is struggling so it’s great to see supporters sticking by us and we’ll need them tomorrow at Mourneview in their numbers.

 

 

Online tickets are now available for this Saturdays (12 Feb) Mid-Ulster derby against Glenavon at Mourneview Park via the link below. Please note Glenavon are offering free online tickets to children of primary school age or under – ID will be required on entry. A cash turnstile will also be available on the day.

 

Ticketing

 

The officials are – Referee – Lee Tavinder / Assistant 1 – Bogdan Sfirloaga / Assistant 2 – Vikki Finlay / 4th official – Ian McNabb

 

Supporters Club Buses travelling:

  • Eden Reds – Departing Gary’s Bar at 2:15pm
  • PFC Travel Club – Departing Shamrock Park at 2pm & at J.D Tipler’s at 2:15pm
  • Richhill Reds – Departing the Square in Richhill at 2pm & the Property Spot in Portadown at 2:15pm
  • Shamrock Reds – Departing Shamrock Park at 2:15pm

 

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

  • Glenavon – D, L, W, W, D (8th in DBP)
  • Portadown – D, L, L, L, D (11th in DBP)

 

Pre Game stats and facts

  • In the last 8 matches between Glenavon and Portadown at Mourneview Park there have been 3 goals scored in injury time
  • In the last 8 matches between Glenavon and Portadown at Mourneview Park there have been 12 goals scored from the 80th minute until the final whistle.
  • Portadown have had 5 players sent off in the last 8 games against Glenavon at Mourneview Park
  • There have been 6 sendings off in the last 8 games between Glenavon and Portadown at Mourneview Park
  • In the last 18 meetings between the sides there have been 13 red cards (5 for Glenavon & 8 for Portadown)
  • Portadown have only two wins in their last 8 visits to Mourneview Park with Glenavon running out winners on the other 6 occasions.
  • In the last 18 meetings between the two sides there have been 20 goals scored from the 80th minute onwards (This includes a goal in the fixture on 26/12/16 which was subsequently wiped following a Glenavon player eligibility issue)
  • Robert Garrett has seen a red card for both clubs in Mid-Ulster derbies – He was sent off for Portadown against Glenavon in February 2016 at Mourneview Park and then was sent off for Glenavon against Portadown in December 2021 at Shamrock Park
  • Current Glenavon coach Kyle Neill is the only player to win an Irish Cup with both Portadown (2005) and Glenavon (2014) as well as score in Irish Cup finals for both clubs (2002 for Portadown and 2014 for Glenavon)
  • Four of the six members of Glenavon’s backroom staff have played for Portadown – Gary Hamilton, Kyle Neill, Paul McAreavey and Jonny Pollock
  • Up to 9 Portadown players could make their Mid-Ulster derby debuts tomorrow

 

Last Five Head to Head (All competitions)

  • Monday 27 December 2021 – Portadown 0 Glenavon 1 (Campbell)
  • Friday 27 August 2021 – Portadown 1 (Finnegan) Glenavon 1 (O’Connor)
  • Tuesday 4 May 2021 – Glenavon 4 (Fitzpatrick x2, Doyle, McCallum OG) Portadown 1 (Bonis)
  • Tuesday 9 March 2021 – Portadown 1 (Lavery) Glenavon 2 (Hall, McCaffery)
  • Saturday 6 March 2021 – Portadown 4 (Warde (p), Bonis, Guy, Lavery) Glenavon 1 (Ward)

 

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

  • Tuesday 4 May 2021 – Glenavon 4 (Fitzpatrick x2, Doyle, McCallum OG) Portadown 1 (Bonis)
  • Saturday 17 October 2020 – Glenavon 2 (Singleton, Campbell) Portadown 4 (Murray x2, Bonis, Burns)
  • Saturday 1 October 2016 – Glenavon 1 (Braniff) Portadown 0 (Shannon s/o)
  • Saturday 20 February 2016 – Glenavon 4 (Braniff, Bradley x2, Kilmartin) Portadown 1 (Casement, Garrett s/o)
  • Saturday 26 December 2015 – Glenavon 1 (Marshall) Portadown 0 (Gault & Mouncey s/o)

 

Watch the latest Preview Show as Neil Campbell and Dave Wiggins preview tomorrows Mid-Ulster derby