Matchday Guide: Portadown

COLERAINE go in search of ending the month with all three points as they face Portadown this afternoon (KO 3pm)…

Danske Bank Premiership

Overview:

The Bannsiders made it back-to-back defeats in the Danske Bank Premiership last weekend as they suffered a 4-2 reverse against Cliftonville at The Showgrounds. An early brace from Rory Hale had the Reds in control, and despite Coleraine netting to make it 2-1 and 3-2, they couldn’t find an equaliser as Joe Gormley’s late header sealed the deal for the north Belfast side. The Bannsiders currently occupy fifth spot in the table as November comes to an end.

It has been all change at Portadown this week as Niall Currie returned as manager for a second time after Paul Doolin left the club by mutual consent. The Ports suffered a 4-0 defeat to Crusaders last weekend and only have a point to show for their efforts so far this campaign. However, they will be hoping their new appointment will give them a bounce as they hit a busy run of fixtures.

Previous meetings:

The two clubs would face each other back in August and a goal in each half by Matthew Shevlin would help the Bannsiders leave Shamrock Park with all three points. After Coleraine would threaten through Evan McLaughlin and Lee Lynch, the visitors would take a deserved lead on 20 minutes as a fantastic ball over the top of the Portadown defence by Conor McDermott was controlled by Matthew Shevlin who cleverly lobbed Jethren Barr. The Ports would hit the frame of the goal twice in the first-half as Jason Akiotu’s cross inadvertently came back off the post, before Martin Gallagher made a superb save to tip Jordan Jenkins’ effort onto the upright. The Stripes would stretch their lead on 47 minutes as a neat passage of play involving Jamie Glackin and Evan McLaughlin released McDermott on the right-hand side and his cross was headed into the net by Shevlin for his second of the afternoon. In truth, that killed the contest with Coleraine looking more likely to score a third goal as Lynch saw a strike comfortably saved by Barr, with Shevlin being denied a hat-trick after a smart block by Paddy McNally.

Manager’s Thoughts:

“The Portadown team we played earlier on in the season and even last season was up there with one of the toughest fixtures we had,” Kearney said.

“I would be quite clear this weekend that it will be no different.

“Any Portadown team we’ve played in the last two years has been tough and tight affairs.

“There’s never a huge amount of it but we need to hit the level we know we can hit.”

Officials:

The match referee will be Jamie Robinson.

The assistant referees are Andrew Nethery and Adam Jeffrey.

Steven Gregg has been selected as the fourth official.

Sponsors:

The match sponsor is Adams Transport

Colin Quinn has kindly agreed to sponsor the match ball.

The mascot this afternoon is Georgia Quinn.

The Man of the Match award will be sponsored by Holley Optometrists.

Admission:

Season tickets are valid for the fixture, although, non-season ticket holders will require matchday tickets for the fixture which can be bought online HERE.

Portadown fans will also need tickets to enter the stadium which can be purchased HERE.

Both sets of supporters are kindly asked to read the following matchday arrangements HERE.

If you are not feeling yourself this evening and you have symptoms which you feel are similar to COVID-19, please stay away from the stadium and think of others.

As ever, those unable to watch the fixture can follow the latest developments via the club’s official Twitter account (@ColeraineFC).