Matchday Guide: Portadown

COLERAINE are on their travels for the first time this season as they take on Portadown this afternoon (KO 3pm)…

Danske Bank Premiership

Overview:

Coleraine started their Danske Bank Premiership campaign with a 3-1 win against Cliftonville at The Showgrounds. On a sunny day, the Bannsiders would net twice in a ten minute spell in the first-half as Evan McLaughlin fired home from Josh Carson’s cross before the same player found the back of the net after good pressure to close down the visiting defence. After Ryan Curran halved the deficit, the three points would be secured in added time as Jamie Glackin’s strike from distance found the back of the net.

Portadown would fall to a defeat on the opening weekend of the season as they were beaten 4-0 by Linfield at Windsor Park. The Ports trailed by a single goal at the break but second-half goals from Ethan Devine, Eetu Vertainen and Andrew Clarke put the game beyond Paul Doolin’s troops. The Ports have been busy adding to their squad in the summer as Jason Akiotu (Widnes), Alberto Balde (Middlesbrough), Leo Donnellan (Harrow Borough), Jack Evans (Bourneview Mill), Jordan Jenkins (Glentoran – loan), Ruadhan McKenna (Cliftonville), Jonah Mitchell (Hyde United), Joe Moore (Cowdenbeath), Mark Russell (Galway United), Don de Dieu Tantale (Grays Athletic) and Lee Upton (Annagh United) have all made the move to Shamrock Park.

Previous meetings:

The two clubs squared off at the end of October at The Showgrounds. After both teams would spurn half chances, the deadlock was broken on 28 minutes as Matthew Shevlin picked up possession after cleverly beating the offside trap. The striker ran into the box, and after he tried to deliver a cross to the unmarked Cathair Friel, the ball was diverted into his own net by Paul Finnegan. The three points would be secure in added time as Coleraine caught the visitors on the counter attack which allowed McKendry to unselfishly square the ball to Shevlin who made no mistake from inside the area.

In January, Coleraine would be on their way to Shamrock Park in what would turn out to be drab affair in County Armagh. The best chance for the Bannsiders would land at the feet of Stephen Lowry but he was thwarted by Jethren Barr, with Adam Salley blazing over at the other end.

A month later, the Bannsiders would host Portadown in the second round of the Samuel Gelston’s Whiskey Irish Cup with the visitors rattling the crossbar in the opening 45 minutes. However, the Stripes would hit the front on the hour mark as Lyndon Kane’s looping header went into the net, with Portadown ‘keeper Jethren Barr protesting that he had been fouled in the build-up. With less than three minutes to go, Kearney’s men would seal the deal as Josh Carson rifled home from Stephen O’Donnell’s cross field pass.

However, Portadown would get their revenge as they won the last fixture between the two clubs last season at Shamrock Park. After a goalless first-half, the hosts would take the lead just after the hour mark as Adam Salley beat the offside trap, went through on goal and calmly slotted an effort past Gareth Deane. Five minutes later, the Ports would be in dreamland as they doubled their advantage when Jamal Dupree’s cross was headed in at the back post by Harry Anderson.

Manager’s Thoughts:

“I think the changing room is wrecked in there,” he told Coleraine TV after the win against Cliftonville.

“There was no big high fives, handshakes or anything else that goes with it.

“There’s plenty of experience in there and we are long enough in the tooth to know that it’s only three points.

“We’ve only played one game and there are 37 left to do, so there were no big parties or anything like that.

“We will crack on, get back to training and try and do the same this weekend against Portadown.

Officials:

The match referee will be Steven Gregg.

The assistant referees are Gavin Hegarty and Kristian Hanna.

Jamie Robinson has been selected as the fourth official.

Admission:

Coleraine supporters can buy tickets for the fixture which can be purchased HERE.

Fans who can’t make it are able to purchase a matchday stream HERE.

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

If you have access to a lateral flow/PCR test at home, we would encourage you to check yourself before coming to the game.

If you have been in contact with a positive case and haven’t yet been contacted by track and trace, please do not come to the game.

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