Portadown are back in Danske Bank Premiership action tomorrow afternoon (Sat 10 December) when we take on Ballymena United at Shamrock Park, kick off 3pm.

Both teams come into the game on the back of impressive victories, Ballymena Utd were 4-1 winners over Cliftonville at the Showgrounds last Saturday while Portadown picked up their first Premiership victory of the season with a 3-1 win over Newry City AFC at the Newry Showgrounds.

The last time the two teams met was back in October with Ballymena United winning 2-0 at the Showgrounds thanks to a brace from David McDaid. The last time the sides met at Shamrock Park was in March 2022 with the Ports picking up all 3 points thanks to a Adam Salley strike in a 1-0 win.

Ballymena have won thirteen of the last fifteen meetings in all competitions between the two clubs including putting the Ports out of the Irish Cup in 2019/20 & 2020/21 & the League Cup in 2017/18.

Portadown welcome back Luke Wilson to the squad following injury while Billy Stedman and Mark Russell return after serving suspensions. Ruadhan McKenna misses out after being sent off for the reserves in midweek.

 

Portadown manager Niall Currie had the following to say

The atmosphere around the place is fantastic at the minute. The boys have been brilliant, they were brilliant against Newry City, a real whole hearted performance in which we were first and second to everything in a fully deserved victory.

We know the big challenge ahead with Ballymena United tomorrow, they’re on a fantastic run and we know how difficult it’s going to be as we’ll be massive underdogs against a very good team that’s flying. We’ll endeavour to get to the same levels as we did against Newry, that’s the whole key, let results look after themselves. As long as we get the effort levels we got last Sunday then I’m a great believer that the results look after themselves.

We’re able to add Luke Wilson back into the squad after having his knee drained and trained on Thursday night while Mark Russell and Billy Stedman return following suspensions. Stephen Teggart missed training on Thursday but should be available while Leo Donnellan will be missing with a hamstring injury by the looks of it – all in all though we’re getting back to a bit of depth in the squad.

The whole place is in great spirits, changing room is really good, so let’s see if we can continue and keep building this.

 

The officials are – Referee – Lee Tavinder / Assistant 1 – Andrew Nethery / Assistant 2 – John Doherty / 4th official – Jamie Robinson

 

MATCH SPONSOR – David Jameson Roofing Services

MATCH BALL SPONSOR – John & Bill Emerson

PSS MAN OF THE MATCH SPONSOR – Dennis Davison Christmas Trees

 

COMMUNITY GUESTS – Carniny Amateur & Youth FC U13s

 

Form (Premiership Only)

  • Portadown – L-L-L-L-W
  • Ballymena United – L-W-L-W-W

 

Last Five Head to Head

  • Saturday 8 October 2022 – Ballymena United 2 (McDaid x2) Portadown 0
  • Saturday 16 April 2022 – Ballymena United 2 (McElroy (p), McCullough) Portadown 1 (Stedman)
  • Saturday 12 March 2022 – Portadown 1 (Salley) Ballymena United 0
  • Saturday 1 January 2022 – Ballymena Utd 4 (Winchester, Parkhouse x2, Redman) Portadown 0
  • Saturday 16 October 2021 – Portadown 0 Ballymena United 1 (McGrory)

 

Last Five Head to Head at the Shamrock Park (All competitions)

  • Saturday 12 March 2022 – Portadown 1 (Salley) Ballymena United 0
  • Saturday 16 October 2021 – Portadown 0 Ballymena United 1 (McGrory)
  • Saturday 27 February 2021 – Portadown 1 (Warde) Ballymena United 2 (McCartan, Redman)
  • Saturday 5 December 2020 – Portadown 0 Ballymena United 0
  • Saturday 17 September 2016 – Portadown 0 Ballymena United 2 (Owens, McMurray)

 

We Are Ports TV LIVE will have live coverage of the game against Ballymena United, the live stream is available at a cost of £10 and can be purchased via 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.

 

A reminder that the annual Santa Hat Saturday will take place before and during Saturdays Premiership match between Portadown and Ballymena United at Shamrock Park.

The gates will open at 2pm with the local Salvation Army brass band playing carols for supporters entering the stadium.

All primary school children will be admitted to the match for FREE (no ticket necessary) and will receive a FREE santa hat on arrival. There will be FREE selection boxes and Tayto crisps for children and of course Santa Claus himself will be in attendance to have his photo taken with the children, before he leads the team out onto the pitch.