Portadown are back in Danske Bank Premiership action tomorrow (Sat 22 April) when we take on Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park, kick off 3pm.
Portadown come into the game off the back of last weekends 3-1 victory over Carrick Rangers at Shamrock Park and are well aware that a victory over Dungannon Swifts will see them leapfrog Dean Shiel’s side into 11th place by a point with one Premiership game to go. Dungannon Swifts enter the game after a 2-0 defeat to Ballymena United last time out but know a victory over the Ports will relegate Niall Currie’s side.
Portadown have already met Dungannon Swifts five times this season with the Swifts winning three of those meetings. Dean Shiel’s side were 2-0 winners on 23 September 2022 in the Premiership thanks to goals from Rhyss Campbell and Ryan Mayse, they would go on to then knock the Ports out of the League Cup on 4 October 2022 by winning 2-1 thanks to a brace from Rhyss Campbell with Jonah Mitchell on target for the Ports and follow that up by knocking the Ports out of the Mid Ulster Cup in November 2022 with goals from Padraig Lynch, Michael O’Connor & Ben Cushnie (2) securing a 4-2 win – Jordan Jenkins grabbed a brace for Niall Currie’s men. The two sides would play out a 0-0 draw in the Premiership in January 2023 at Shamrock Park with Portadown winning the last meeting between the two back in February at Shamrock Park by 3 goals to 1 thanks to a Paul McElroy hat-trick.
Portadown have lost on their last five visits to Stangmore Park in all competitions with the Ports last victory on Dungannon soil coming back in March 2021 with a Lee Bonis goal securing a 1-0 win.
Portadown welcome back Paul McElroy following a 3 match ban but will be missing Barney McKeown who is suspended as well as Paddy McNally who limped out of last Saturdays victory against Carrick Rangers. Dungannon Swifts will be without Michael Ruddy and Joe McCready who are also both suspended along with Rhyss Campbell who has been ruled out for the season with injury.
Portadown Manager Niall Currie had the following preview for supporters
Everybody is aware of the situation but we’re all looking forward to tomorrow. Obviously losing Barney (McKeown) to suspension and Paddy (McNally) to injury changes the whole dynamic of the back three but the plus side is we have Paul McElroy back and him and Bushy (Cathiar Friel) up top are a thorn in any teams side.
Matty Walker will come in and Lee Upton’s been there all season, Lee has played in high pressurised situations in the past such as last seasons play-off so we expect Lee to have no problems dealing with the occasion. Matty (Walker) is one of our more inexperienced players but he’s a naturally left footed centre back who has played numerous games in the Championship and has come on during games for us and has done well – it’s a big game for the kid and we’re all hoping he comes through it but ultimately we’ll be trying to get on the front foot and keep Luke Wilson in the middle of the park where he has been outstanding the past few games.
We’re going to go for it as we know we have to win the game while if we’re honest a draw will be enough for Dungannon Swifts – we’re under no illusions that we need to go and be on the front foot, be aggressive and that’s exactly what we’ll do.
There’s no point talking about who can’t play, we’ll focus on who can play and it’s a 50/50 game but hopefully the fact that we’ll have so much support decked out in red and white will be a major benefit to us and it’s nice too that we’re going to do a minutes applause for Ben Gillis and show him the respect he deserves – his last post on social media was that the Ports were staying up so that should fill everybody full of fire and hopefully we can do it for him.
The officials are – Referee – Tony Clarke / Assistant 1 – Ryan Kelsey / Assistant 2 – John Doherty / 4th official – Tim Marshall
Match Day Pointers
- No online tickets are required for the game with admittance via a cash gate
- Far Circular Road will be closed from 2pm heading into the direction of Killyman.
- Any supporters buses travelling to the game may exit the motorway at Junction 14 and drop supporters off outside the ground. They will then be asked to turn left and park on the lay by opposite Donnelly Bros.
- The Howard PS will be opening their school car park at a charge of £3 per car for anyone wishing to avail of off road parking.
Admission prices for the game (set by Dungannon Swifts)
- Adults – £12
- Concession – £8
- Primary School children – £1
- Under 16s – £5
- Toddlers – FREE
Supporters Club Buses travelling:
- Eden Reds – Departing Gary’s Bar at 2pm with non members welcome
- PFC Travel Club – Departing J.D Tiplers at 1:45pm & Shamrock Park at 2pm
- Richhill Reds – Departing Richhill at 1:45pm and Portadown at 2pm
- Shamrock Reds leave Shamrock Park at 2pm with non members welcome
Form (Premiership Only)
- Dungannon Swifts – W-L-D-L-L (11th in DBP)
- Portadown – D-L-W-L-W (12th in DBP)
Last Five Head to Head (All competitions)
- Friday 24 February 2023 – Portadown 3 (McElroy 3) Dungannon Swifts 1 (McGee)
- Monday 2 January 2023 – Portadown 0 Dungannon Swifts 0
- Tuesday 22 November 2022 – Dungannon Swifts 4 (Lynch, O’Connor, Cushnie (2)) Portadown 2 (Jenkins 2)
- Tuesday 4 October 2022 – Dungannon Swifts 2 (Campbell 2) Portadown 1 (Mitchell)
- Friday 23 September 2022 – Dungannon Swifts 2 (Campbell, Mayse) Portadown 0
Last Five Head to Head at Stangmore Park (All competitions)
- Tuesday 22 November 2022 – Dungannon Swifts 4 (Lynch, O’Connor, Cushnie (2)) Portadown 2 (Jenkins 2)
- Tuesday 4 October 2022 – Dungannon Swifts 2 (Campbell 2) Portadown 1 (Mitchell)
- Friday 23 September 2022 – Dunagnnon Swifts 2 (Campbell, Mayse) Portadown 0
- Saturday 22 January 2022 – Dungannon Swifts 3 (McGinty, McBrien, Gallagher) Portadown 1 (Conaty)
- Saturday 20 November 2021 – Dungannon Swifts 4 (McCready x2, Campbell, McBrien) Portadown 2 (Finnegan, McLeod)