Portadown are back in Danske Bank Premiership action tomorrow evening (Tues 23 August) when they take on Crusaders at Seaview, kick off 7:45pm.

Crusaders come into the game on the back of a 3-1 defeat to Glentoran at the Oval on Friday evening while Portadown were beaten 2-0 by Coleraine at Shamrock Park on Saturday afternoon.

The last time the two clubs meet was back on 25 January 2022 at Shamrock Park, the same evening Paul Doolin was appointed as Portadown’s interim manager following the departure of Matthew Tipton, Crusaders would go on to the win the game 1-0 thanks to a 90th minute Ben Kennedy strike.

The last time the two clubs met at Seaview was back in November 2021 with Crusaders running out 2-0 winners with goals from Paul Heatley and former Ports midfielder Philip Lowry. Paul Heatley’s goal in that game means he’s scored six in his last six games against Portadown at Seaview so the Ports rearguard will need to keep a close eye on him this evening to prevent him adding to his tally.

Crusaders have won 10 out of the last 12 meetings between the two clubs in all competitions. For the Ports last victory over the men from the Shore Road you have to go back to the opening day of the 2015/16 season when two Darren Murray goals sealed all 3 points for the Ports at Seaview.

Crusaders have been active in the summer transfer market bringing in goalkeeper Tom Murphy from Armagh City, midfielder Aidan Steele from Crystal Palace, defender Rory McKeown and striker Dean Ebbe from Bala Town while Johnny Frazer, Sean O’Neill and Aidan Wilson departed with Declan Caddell retiring.

Stephen Baxter’s men had an impressive Europa Conference League campaign, beating FC Magpies from Gibraltar over two legs before exiting to Swiss side FC Basel 3-1 on aggregate and have also picked up the Charity Shield, beating league champions Linfield 2-0 at Windsor Park.

Two interesting stats is the last five fixtures between Portadown and Crusaders have been on a Tuesday evening with tomorrow evenings game being the sixth while the last player to score for Portadown at Seaview is current Ports defender Howard Beverland – he scored an OG for Portadown when he was at Crusaders when the two sides met in August 2016! The last Ports player to score against Crusaders at Seaview while playing for the Ports was Darren Murray, scoring a brace in a 2-1 win for PFC in August 2015.

Finally, and unfortunately for the Ports, Crusaders scoring record against Portadown at Seaview makes for grim reading for PFC  – 25 goals in their last eight games against PFC at Seaview dating back to March 2014.

 

Portadown manager Paul Doolin had the following to say

I thought on Saturday against Coleraine we played ok in the first half and towards the latter end of the half we were unlucky not to score however in the second 45 we didn’t create anything and Coleraine deserved the 3 points.

Tomorrow nights game against Crusaders will be tough, we’re integrating a lot of players but it’s early in the season with only two games gone and we’ve got to keep going and keep fighting.

 

Crusaders supporters are seated in the Main Stand and Harry Corry Stand while Portadown supporters will be seated in the South Stand with online tickets available via https://crusadersfootballclub.com/tickets while a box office will be situated outside the main club rooms to allow supporters to purchase tickets on the night.

For those unable to make the game Crusaders will be live streaming the match with it being able to be purchased for £7 via https://www.247.tv/gaa/niprem/video/1203064-crusaders-v-portadown-tuesday-23rd-aug-2022-7-45pm

 

The officials are – Referee – TBC  / Assistant 1 – TBC  / Assistant 2 – TBC / 4th official – TBC

 

Supporters Club Buses travelling:

  • Eden Reds & PFC Travel Club – Departing Gary’s Bar at 6:30pm, Shamrock Park at 6:35pm & Tiplers at 6:45pm
  • Shamrock Reds – Departing Shamrock Park at 6:30pm
  • Richhill Reds – Departing Richhill at 6:30pm & Portadown at 6:45pm

 

Last Five Head to Head (All competitions)

  • Tuesday 25 January 2022 – Portadown 0 Crusaders 1 (Kennedy)
  • Tuesday 30 November 2021 – Crusaders 2 (Heatley, Lowry) Portadown 0
  • Tuesday 31 August 2021 – Crusaders 4 (Heatley, McMurray, Burns, Kennedy) Portadown 0
  • Tuesday 30 March 2021 – Portadown 1 (Salley) Crusaders 2 (Wilson, Owens)
  • Tuesday 26 January 2021 – Portadown 2 (McCallum, Bonis) Crusaders 2 (Caddell, Heatley)

 

Last Five Head to Head at Seaview (All competitions)

  • Tuesday 30 November 2021 – Crusaders 2 (Heatley, Lowry) Portadown 0
  • Tuesday 31 August 2021 – Crusaders 4 (Heatley, McMurray, Burns, Kennedy) Portadown 0
  • Saturday 12 December 2020 – Crusaders 5 (Owens, Heatley, Lecky, Lowry 2) Portadown 0
  • Saturday 27 August 2016 – Crusaders 2 (Beverland, Coates)  Portadown 1 (Beverland OG)
  • Saturday 8 August 2015 – Crusaders 1 (Heatley) Portadown 2 (Murray 2)