Portadown are back in Playr-Fit Championship action tomorrow (Sat 30 Sept) when we face Ards at Clandeboye Park (Kick off 3pm).

Portadown come into the game off the back of a 2-0 win over Ballinamallard Utd while Ards were 1-0 winners over Dundela last time out.

Ards are unbeaten in their last six Championship fixtures, picking up three wins and three draws in that run. So far this season in the Championship they’ve recorded three wins, three draws and two defeats.

The last time the two clubs met was back in February 2020 in the Championship at Clandeboye Park, the game ended 1-1 with Lee Bonis scoring for the Ports after Salou Jallow had given Ards a first half lead. Portadown’s last win at Clandeboye Park came back in August 2019 in a thrilling encounter, Ards had taken a 2-0 lead into the break with a brace from Craig McMillen before second half goals from Conall McGrandles (2), Stephen Teggart and Ryan Carmichael sealed a comeback 4-2 win.

There’ll be quite a few familiar faces in both the Ards dugout and in the Ards squad tomorrow, of course former Portadown manager & player Matthew Tipton is now in charge at Ards alongside former Ports goalkeeper & assistant manager David Miskelly while on the Ards playing side Michael Ruddy, Adam McCallum, Eamon Scannell, George Tipton and Jamal Dupree all wore the red of Portadown under Matthew Tipton.

Portadown are set to be still be without Paddy McNally and Chris Rodgers while Dougie Wilson’s competitive Portadown debut is still on hold following a knee injury picked up in a pre season friendly. The defender who signed from Ballymena Utd in the summer suffered a subsequent set back when the knee injury was more severe than initially thought however he has now seen a specialist and been assigned a specific rehabilitation to help with his recovery.

On tomorrows game Portadown manager Niall Currie commented

We look forward to another hard game with Ards on a great run of form.

We know how difficult it’s going to be but we are in a good place ourselves and the atmosphere among our boys is excellent, we welcome back Eamon but unfortunately we are still without Paddy, Chris and Dougie but as always we concentrate on being at our own best knowing when we are we have a massive chance of winning football matches.


Referee – Diarmuid Harrigan / Assistant referees – Jason Millar & Ethan Craig

 


Form (Last 5 League Games – Most recent game last)

  • Ards – D, W, D, W, W (11 points gained from a possible 15)
  • Portadown – L, L, W, W, W (9 points gained from a possible 15)


Last 5 Head to Heads

  • Saturday 22 February 2020 – Ards 1 (Jallow) Portadown 1 (Bonis)
  • Saturday 7 December 2019 – Portadown 2 (Salley (pen), Bonis) Ards 1 (Nelson)
  • Friday 30 August 2019 – Ards 2 (McMillen 2) Portadown 4 (McGrandles 2, Teggart, Carmichael)
  • Tuesday 18 April 2017 – Ards 3 (McAllister, Shevlin, Keke, McMullan s/o)  Portadown 2 (Breen, Ferris, Mackle s/o)
  • Saturday 11 February 2017 – Portadown 0 (O’Hara s/o) Ards 3 (Cheery, Arthurs, Shevlin)

 

Last 5 Head to Heads at Clandeboye Park

  • Saturday 22 February 2020 – Ards 1 (Jallow) Portadown 1 (Bonis)
  • Friday 30 August 2019 – Ards 2 (McMillen 2) Portadown 4 (McGrandles 2, Teggart, Carmichael)
  • Tuesday 18 April 2017 – Ards 3 (McAllister, Shevlin, Keke, McMullan s/o)  Portadown 2 (Breen, Ferris, Mackle s/o)
  • Saturday 13 August 2016 – Ards 1 (McComb) Portadown 0
  • Saturday 15 March 2014 – Ards 1 (Faulkner) Portadown 2 (Murray, Friars)

LAST TIME OUT AT CLANDEBOYE PARK AGAINST ARDS