The always-celebrated
Mid Ulster Derby saw how a visiting Glenavon FC squad, pile more misery in the
home squad, leaving the whole of Shamrock Park stunned and resigned to see its
squad down to relegation.
As the Danske Bank Premiership
moving near it end, the quality of its matches are seen with an all-around
competition and hunger from many of its squads looking forward to move some
spots up in the overall table.
If we count, one of
those spots is the last one that the NIPL offers to whoever finishes in third
place and becomes one of the league representatives in the elimination rounds
of the UEFA Europa League.
So far, this spot
held zealously by the Cliftonville Reds, who lost their Derby match at Seaview
and now exposed to several squads looking forward to unseat them and making it
an interesting race to the finish.
With one of the
league top matches and considered an attractive one in several fronts playing
and in this edition of the Mid Ulster Derby played between the hosts Portadown
FC seeing their chances dwindling for a return to the big circuit.
Very well the
visiting Glenavon Lurgan Blues, located in the middle of the table and looking
forward to move up some posts adding points to their cause as well winning
their matches, todays Derby had the essence of being a contest for anyone.
For the Ports Boss
Niall Currie it was business as usual and trying to net an important win as a
way to try to salvage their campaign and not go down to the infamous relegation
league of first division.
In the case of the
Lurgan Blues Boss adding points and looking forward to move up the table, as
Gary Hamilton looking forward to a notable finish at the end of this campaign,
for him and his Mourneview Aces it was now or never.
If this match had all
the elements of an all-around final, both squads displayed a one of a kind
football and fighting in it every minute that passed after the visitors sentenced
the match in the first half and never let go of their lead despite the
insistence of the Ports.
With an inspired and determined
Glenavon Bunch making all sorts of moves and the right ones, these opened up
the early score with an early score in the ninth minute of play when James Gray
defeated the Ports keeper McGaughey.
As the score was in
favor of the visiting Lurgan Blues, Glenavons Greg Moorhouse in the 22nd
sentenced the match for the 2-0 that will stand at the end despite the local
Ports eleven making all sorts of efforts.
In the 29th
minute the locals almost came close to a goal but a well-timed Lurgan Blues keeper
Johnny Tuffey who caught a nice volley from Shea McGerrigan’s, that the whole of
Shamrock Park saw in disbelief and disappointment how the play went awry.
Still the Ports
tenacity alongside their faithful support became an all-around inspiration and saw
how their Boys showed a lot of resilience and playing with likes of tornado's,
their insistence paid off in the 52nd minute.
After a flagrant foul
from Glenavon’s midfielder James Singleton that conceded a clear penal in the
area and at the same time he picked up a red card, leaving the visiting side
with just ten players in the pitch and for the locals Adam Foley converting for
the 2-1 in the 52nd.
Despite the local’s
resurgence in the remainder of the match, the Lurgan Blues defense endured the
fury of the Ports strikers and insistence towards its posts, came away with a
much valuable win away, and stayed put in sixth place.
Post Contents and Property of Fern
Mc Costigan © Copyright All Rights Reserved
Crest Credit and Property of Portadown
Football Club 2017
Photos Credit and Property of ©2017
North Ireland Football League
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