Portadown are back in Danske Bank Premiership action tomorrow (Saturday 5 November) when we take on Linfield at Shamrock Park, kick off 3pm.
Linfield come into the game following a midweek 3-0 victory over Annagh United in the League Cup at Windsor Park while in Premiership matters they were 2-0 winners over Newry City AFC at the Showgrounds last Saturday. In contrasting form however the Ports, under new manager Niall Currie, went down 4-0 to Coleraine at the Coleraine Showgrounds last time out meaning they stay rooted to the bottom of the Danske Bank Premiership without a league win all season.
Linfield have had a very inconsistent start to the season and find themselves in 6th position, some 9 points behind league leaders Glentoran, and have already suffered 4 league defeats – 1 more than they suffered in the whole of last seasons Premiership campaign.
The last time the two sides met was on the opening weekend of this season with Linfield running out 4-0 winners at Windsor Park thanks to goals from Kirk Millar, Ethan Devine, Eetu Vertainen and Andrew Clarke. The last time the two sides met at Shamrock Park was in November 2021 with the sides playing out a 0-0 stalemate.
Portadown’s recent league record against Linfield at Shamrock Park sees them with three victories in the last nine however Linfield have won five of the last ten meetings in the Premiership on Portadown’s home patch and four of the last five.
For the Ports last league victory over Linfield at Shamrock Park you have to go back to February 2016 when goals from former Linfield players Mark McAllister & Philip Lowry secured a 2-1 win in a game which also seen Ken Oman dismissed for Portadown. Portadown would actually do the home double over Linfield that 2015/16 season as they also defeated Linfield 2-0 in November 2015 with goals from another ex Linfield player Chris Casement as well as a late goal from Marcio Soares.
Portadown manager Niall Currie gave his thoughts on the game below
I know that all our supporters live and breathe this but I just hope they realise we have a tough road ahead. I’m not the same person or manager from 2016 but find myself in a very difficult situation with our target being to try and pick points up in the games we can.
The boys have come on board for what’s needed now so we continue to try, and no one wants our club to succeed more than me, to be realistic and I know our supporters will be too.
The officials are – Referee – Shane Andrews / Assistant 1 – George Argyropoulos / Assistant 2 – David Burns / 4th official – Declan Hassan
- Match Sponsor – David Jameson Roofing Services
- Match Ball Sponsor – Portadown British Legion Club
- PSS Man of the Match Sponsor – Gilford Ports
Last Five Head to Head (All competitions)
- Sunday 14 August 2022 – Linfield 4 (Millar, Devine, Vertainen, Clarke) Portadown 0
- Saturday 19 February 2022 – Linfield 1 (McKee) Portadown 0
- Saturday 6 November 2021 – 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)
Last Five Head to Head at Shamrock Park (All competitions)
- Saturday 6 November 2021 – 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)
- Saturday 7 November 2020 – Portadown 1 (Bonis) Linfield 2 (Millar, Waterworth)
- Tuesday 4 December 2018 – Portadown 1 (Carmichael) Linfield 2 (O’Connor, Stewart)
We Are Ports TV LIVE will have live coverage of the game against Linfield, the live stream is available at a cost of £10 and can be purchased and viewed via the link below https://portstv.com/
Online tickets for the game are available via https://tickets.portadownfc.co.uk/fixtures
While online tickets for matches still remain, a cash gate is now also available at each game at Shamrock Park for HOME SUPPORTERS ONLY (except in the event where a game has sold out online in advance of the game). We would add however that purchasing your ticket online remains the best way to guarantee your seat for games and would still actively encourage supporters to avail of the facility.
A reminder about the Ports Hub facility at games at Shamrock Park which give you match info, player stats and exclusive interviews. To access the Ports Hub simply scan the QR code placed on every other seat’s backrest at Shamrock Park (as well as in the clubrooms) and you will give brought to a host of great content, think of it as your digital matchday programme!
With more families and community / youth groups visiting Shamrock Park on match days, the club has decided to re-launch our FAMILY AND COMMUNITY AREA.
BLOCK B in the home stand has been designated as this area, a traditionally slightly quieter block and further away from opposition supporters.
We recognise that football matches are noisy and passionate experiences for players and fans alike but we would also like children, families and community visitors of mixed abilities and needs to feel comfortable when they visit a match, for some, their very first football match.
Guidelines for supporters sitting in Block B will be clearly displayed at the front of that area and we encourage all patrons in the block to follow them:
- PLEASE BE AWARE OF THOSE AROUND YOU.
- PLEASE USE APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE.
- BE POSITIVE TOWARDS PEOPLE ON THE PITCH.