Portadown are back in Danske Bank Premiership action tomorrow (Saturday 28 January) when we take on Linfield at Shamrock Park, kick off 3pm.
Linfield come into the game following a 2-0 midweek defeat to Crusaders at Seaview while Portadown lost out to Larne at Inver Park by the same scoreline.
The last time the two sides met was back in November with Linfield running out 3-0 winners at Shamrock Park thanks to second half goals from Sam Roscoe, Robbie McDaid and Joel Cooper, McDaid and Coopers goals coming in the 89th and 93rd minutes. The two clubs also met 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.
Portadown’s recent league record against Linfield at Shamrock Park sees them with three victories in the last ten however Linfield have won six of the last eleven meetings in the Premiership on Portadown’s home patch and five of the last six.
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.
Linfield will be without Kyle McClean and Chris Shields due to suspension while Portadown will be missing Josh Archer due to his loan agreement with parent club Linfield.
Portadown manager Niall Currie gave his thoughts on the game below
It’s been a very tough week for everyone associated with the club with what we feel was certainly a very disappointing decision in relation to the Newry City AFC game back in December but the boys went up to Larne, which was always going to be a difficult night up against a top full time team, and applied themselves well, left nothing out on the field and emptied their tanks so absolutely no complaints in regards to effort on Tuesday night.
We come into tomorrows game knowing Linfield will be a different animal after their defeat to Crusaders on Tuesday night and will know the importance of the game so they will be well up for it and again we’re up against top level and full time football so we understand the circumstances, all we can do is make sure that we’re at our best and that’s exactly what we’ll try to do.
Obviously Josh Archer won’t be available unfortunately however everyone else seems to be alive and ready to go. We’ve nothing to lose in this game but we’ll be totally focused on being the best we can be as we know we’re going to have to be at our very very best to compete.
We’ll give it everything we have, the players are doing their utmost and going through everything to try and get us out of the trouble we’re in
The officials are – Referee – Evan Boyce / Assistant 1 – Ken Ross / Assistant 2 – Bogdan Sfirloaga / 4th official – Shane McGonigle
- Match Sponsor – Bann Hire & Sales | Portadown Carpet Centre
- Match Ball Sponsor – Graham Davison Furniture & Office Supplies | Wilfie Davison
- PSS Man of the Match Sponsor – Kim Pentland
- Community Guests – Ballyvea FC 2013s (From Kilkeel)
- Mascots – Portadown 2013s
- Bucket Collection – Portadown 2009s National League team
There will be a half time exhibition match between Portadown U13s & Ballyvea U13’s at half time
Last Five Head to Head (All competitions)
- Saturday 5 November 2022 – Portadown 0 Linfield 3 (Roscoe, McDaid, Cooper)
- 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)
Last Five Head to Head at Shamrock Park (All competitions)
- Saturday 5 November 2022 – Portadown 0 Linfield 3 (Roscoe, McDaid, Cooper)
- 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)
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 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 is the quickest and most convenient way to secure 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.