It’s the opening day of the 2022/23 Danske Bank Premiership campaign and Portadown kick it off by taking on reigning champions Linfield at Windsor Park, kick off 3pm.

While today marks Portadown’s first competitive game of the season Linfield began their season back on 5 July with a Champions League qualifying round 1 game against the New Saints – a tie which they would win 2-1 on aggregate. Futher European games would follow against FK Bodo/Glimt (Lost 8-1 on aggregate) and FC Zurich (Lost 5-0 on aggregate) with the Blues now dropping down to the Europa Conference League to play Latvian side RFS.

The last time the two teams met was in February 2022 at Windsor Park with Linfield picking up a narrow 1-0 win thanks to a Chris McKee goal. Other games between the two sides last season saw a 0-0 draw at Shamrock Park in November 2021 with Linfield running out 3-2 winners at Shamrock Park in September 2021 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 the Windsor Park makes for miserable reading with only one win in the last twenty one, that coming back in February 2015 with a 88th minute strike from Sean Mackle securing a 2-1 victory for Ronnie McFall’s men and banking our first league win there since a Gary Hamilton goal saw the Ports win 1-0 back in February 2002.

No fewer than eight Portadown players could make their competitive debuts for the club today after a busy summer at Shamrock Park with Jason Akiotu, Leo Donnellan, Mark Russell, Joe Moore, Jack Evans, Don De Dieu Tantale, Jonah Mitchell & Jordan Jenkins all arriving while Lee Upton & Ruadhan McKenna returned after spells away.

Linfield have been busy too during the close season, adding Eetu Vertainen for another loan spell at Windsor as well as Daniel Finlayson arriving on loan from St Mirren, Joel Cooper returning from Oxford and Robbie McDaid making the move to Linfield from rivals Glentoran.

The last time the two sides met on the opening day of a season was back in 2014/15 when Portadown beat Linfield 3-0 at Shamrock Park with goals from Gary Twigg (2) & a Sean Ward OG.

Online tickets are now available for this Saturdays (19 Feb) game against Linfield at the National Stadium via the link below.

https://www.linfieldfc.com/buytickets-awaysupportersales.aspx

Saturdays game against Linfield will be live streamed by Linfield on 247.tv via https://www.247.tv/gaa/niprem/video/1201610-linfield-v-portadown-sunday-14th-aug-2022-3-00pm

The officials are – Referee – Tim Marshall / Assistant 1 – Andrew Nethery / Assistant 2 – Kristian Hanna / 4th official – Declan Hassan

Supporters Club Buses travelling:

  • Richhill Reds – Departing the Square in Richhill at 1:30pm & the Property Spot in Portadown at 1:45pm
  • Eden Reds – Departing Gary’s Bar at 1:30pm
  • PFC Travel Club – Departing Shamrock Park at 1:45pm & J D Tipler at 2pm

 

Last Five Head to Head (All competitions)

  • Saturday 19 February 2022 – Linfield 1 (McKee) Portadown 0
  • Saturday 6 November 2022 – Portadown 0 Linfield 0
  • 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

Last Five Head to Head at the National Stadium (All competitions)

  • Saturday 19 February 2022 – Linfield 1 (McKee) Portadown 0
  • Tuesday 2 February 2021 – Linfield 3 (Lavery x3) Portadown 0
  • Friday 17 February 2017 – Linfield 1 (J.Carson) Portadown 1 (Foley)
  • Saturday 10 September 2016 – Linfield 4 (Gaynor, Stafford, Smyth, A.Burns) Portadown 1 (Garrett)
  • Saturday 29 August 2015 – Linfield 3 (Waterworth 2, Bates) Portadown 0