Portadown are back in Danske Bank Premiership action tomorrow evening (Fri 7 April) when we take on Ballymena United at Shamrock Park, kick off 7:45pm.
Last time out Portadown were beaten 5-1 by Glentoran at the Oval and were also reduced to 10 men with the controversial sending off of Paul McElroy while Ballymena United, fresh from securing a place in this seasons Irish Cup Final, were beaten 1-0 by Glenavon at the Showgrounds and also had Dougie Wilson and Steven McCullough red carded in the defeat.
The last time the two teams met was back in February 2023 with the two sides playing out a 0-0 draw at the Showgrounds. The last time the two sides met at Shamrock Park was in December 2022 with the Ports picking up all 3 points thanks to a goal from Josh Archer.
Ballymena have won thirteen of the last seventeen 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.
Ballymena United are on a wretched run of league form with their last Premiership win coming back on 14 January and a 2-0 win at the Showgrounds against Dungannon Swifts – since that they have only picked up a further 3 points in draws with ourselves, Newry City AFC & Crusaders. They are also without an away league win this year with their last 3 points on the road coming in November 2022 in a 2-0 win against Carrick Rangers at Taylors Avenue.
Portadown welcome back Chris Rodgers following suspension while, as referenced above, Paul McElroy misses out following his red card against Glentoran while Ballymena United duo Dougie Wilson and Steven McCullough are also missing following their dismissals last time out.
Portadown manager Niall Currie had the following preview for supporters
I think we’re all in no doubts after a really disappointing game against Glentoran that these upcoming split games are our five cup finals and we have to treat each one individually, but they’re cup finals and we know we need nothing less really than victories, which is a huge huge ask, we understand that.
We have played all these teams recently and done very well against them so as long as we’re right and we’re on it we still believe we have a chance of winning these games.
We have to keep believing, have everything about us, a togetherness and while we are always going to be reliant on other teams we have to do our job and concentrate on being the best we can be and hopefully we can do that over the next five games.
Take one game at a time, it’s an old cliche, obviously tomorrow night at Shamrock Park it’s going to be huge and we know how good Ballymena United can be but we’re going to be totally focused on getting our levels right – which weren’t right against Glentoran. As long as we’re right then I know these players will give their all.
The officials are – Referee – Ben McMaster / Assistant 1 – Bogdan Sfirloaga / Assistant 2 – John Doherty / 4th official – Christopher Morrison
MATCH SPONSOR – Stena Line
MATCH BALL SPONSOR – Murdock Building Supplies
PSS MAN OF THE MATCH SPONSOR – Gareth Richardson
MASCOTS – Noah Lutton & Gracie Lutton
CHARITY BUCKET COLLECTION – Portadown Pet Food Bank
Form (Premiership Only)
- Portadown – W-L-W-D-L (12th in Premiership)
- Ballymena United – D-L-L-L-L (9th in Premiership)
Last Five Head to Head
- Saturday 11 February 2023 – Ballymena United 0 Portadown 0
- Saturday 10 December 2022 – Portadown 1 (Archer) Ballymena United 0
- 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
Last Five Head to Head at the Shamrock Park (All competitions)
- Saturday 10 December 2022 – Portadown 1 (Archer) Ballymena United 0
- 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
A reminder about the ‘We Are Ports Family Fan Zone’ which will be in operation before the game against Ballymena United tomorrow evening. The ‘We Are Ports Family Fan Zone’ will be situated within the home turnstiles at Shamrock Park, beginning at 6pm it will include music, inflatable games, face painting, ice-cream van and giveaways – The Ports Store and the tuck shop will also be open.
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. Portadown FC also operate a ‘Kid for a Quid’ scheme which sees any child U16 admitted to the game for £1 when accompanied by a paying adult – up to 3 U16s with any one paying adult.
A reminder too 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.