Portadown are back in Danske Bank Premiership action this evening (Tues 8 March) when we take on Carrick Rangers at the Loughshore Hotel Arena, kick off 7:45pm.

Carrick Rangers are coming off the back of a 2-1 defeat to Linfield on Friday evening while the Ports come into the game after 10 day break following their 1-0 success over Warrenpoint Town Saturday week ago.

Carrick are on a poor run of Premiership form, losing their last five games and have only one win in their last fifteen Premiership fixtures with twelve defeats in that period. In fact Carrick Rangers have only picked up three Premiership victories since 2 October with those wins all coming against the same side – Ballymena United!

Carrick Rangers had a great start to this seasons campaign picking up 13 points in their opening eight Premiership games but have only went on to pick up 10 points in the 21 games since.

The last time the two clubs met was back in November with a injury time own goal from Ports defender Paul Finnegan seeing Carrick Rangers escape from Shamrock Park with a point after Portadown had led 2-0 with goals from Michael Ruddy and Oisin Conaty.

The last time the clubs met at the Loughshore Hotel Arena was in September 2021 with Carrick Rangers running out 1-0 winners thanks to a Michael Surgenor penalty. Last season’s visits to the Loughshore Hotel Arena for the Ports was a painful experience with two heavy defeats, 4-1 & 5-3 with Portadown actually taking the leads in both games!

Portadown have a wretched recent record at the Loughshore Hotel Arena losing the last seven in a row with our last victory in Carrickfergus coming back in April 2016 when a last gasp Garry Breen strike went a long way to securing our Premiership safety that season. There have been 14 goals between the two sides in the last three games at the Loughshore Hotel Arena, unfortunately Portadown have only scored four of those with the other ten coming from Carrick Rangers.

There always seems to be penalties involved when the two sides meet with three penalties awarded in the past six games.

Portadown Manager Paul Doolin had the following to say on this evenings game

I think this evenings game is as big as last weeks and in all honesty they’re all big games at this stage of the season when you’re in a situation like ourselves.

Carrick Rangers are 6 points ahead of us and we are trying to get back into it so it’ll be a tough game. I was up last Friday evening for their game against Linfield and while they weren’t great in the first half they played well in the second half and could have got a draw.

We played well against Warrenpoint Town in difficult conditions and it looks like it could be similar conditions this evening.

Katlego (Mashigo) serves the last of his 3 match ban this evening but apart from him everyone is fine and good to go.

 

This evenings game against Carrick Rangers at the Loughshore Hotel Arena will just be pay at the gate with no tickets required. The game will be segregated and Carrick have requested Portadown supporters use the away turnstiles on Prince William Way for access to the stadium. Parking is available at the turnstiles for cars and buses.

 

The officials are – Referee – Jamie Robinson / Assistant 1 – Ryan Kelsey / Assistant 2 – John Doherty / 4th official – Mark Dillon

 

Supporters Club Buses travelling:

  • Eden Reds – Departing Gary’s Bar at 6:15pm
  • Shamrock Reds – Departing Shamrock Park at 6:15pm

 

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

  • Carrick Rangers – L, L, L, L, L (10th in DBP)
  • Portadown –  L, D, L, L, W (11th in DBP)

 

Last Five Head to Head (All competitions)

  • Saturday 13 November 2021 – Portadown 2 (Ruddy, Conaty)  Carrick Rangers 2 (Anderson, Finnegan OG)
  • Saturday 18 September – Carrick Rangers 1 (Surgenor (p)) Portadown 0
  • Saturday 15 May 2021 – Portadown 2 (Bonis, Salley (p)) Carrick Rangers 1 (McMullan)
  • Saturday 10 April 2021 – Portadown 2 (Tilney, Bonis) Carrick Rangers 0
  • Tuesday 23rd March 2021 – Carrick Rangers 5 (Kelly, Friel x2, Loughran (p), Cherry Portadown 3 (Guy, Bonis, Salley)

 

Last Five Head to Head at the Loughshore Arena (All competitions)

  • Saturday 18 September – Carrick Rangers 1 (Surgenor (p)) Portadown 0
  • Tuesday 23 March 2021 – Carrick Rangers 5 (Kelly, Friel x2, Loughran (p), Cherry)  Portadown 3 (Guy, Bonis, Salley)
  • Tuesday 10 November 2020 – Carrick Rangers 4 (Loughran, Smith x3) Portadown 1 (Lavery)
  • Tuesday 30 April 2019 – Carrick Rangers 2 (McCallum og, Nixon) Portadown 0
  • Saturday 27 April 2019 – Carrick Rangers 4 (McGeown, Strain x2, McMillen) Portadown 0