Johnson joy as double seals points
STEPHEN Johnson’s weekend brace of goals included a last-gasp winner as Portadown men’s firsts finished out in front away to Campbellians by 5-4.
The nine-goal thriller provided Portadown with a vital victory in the push to close the gap on the Senior One leaders.
Zach McClelland - a representative of Ulster under 16s - stepped into the side in place of the experienced Gareth Titler, with Stuart Bell also selected for the away test.
Campbellians proved strong early on and grabbed the first goal following sluggish defending.
Portadown have often suffered this season across the opening stages of games but eventually settled on Saturday and added to the team’s free-scoring tally thanks to Neil Gilmore’s crisp strike.
With David Agnew unavailable, Justin Barr stepped in to handle the half-time coaching pep talk but Campbellians claimed control after the break by moving back on top.
Jamie Wright found the net on two occasions in quick succession to turn the tables and hand Portadown the upper hand by 3-2.
However, Campbellians took advantage of additional defensive issues in the Portadown backline to add two goals and sit 4-3 up.
Johnson then stepped up over the closing stages with a quickfire double - the first by rounding the Campbellians goalkeeper for 4-4.
Johnson popped up late on to convert Gilmore’s slick pass and provide Portadown with victory.
PORTADOWN men’s seconds kicked off a sequence of four away games on Saturday against in-form Instonians and enjoyed a convincing 5-1 win.
The well-earned success helped Portadown maintain a position at the top of the table, with 13 consecutive triumphs.
FORTHCOMING fixtures are as follows:
Firsts v Ballynahich (Saturday, home, league, start 1 o’clock, meet 11.45): J.Knipe, S.Kirkland, J.Rea, N.Gilmore, S.Johnson, G.Croft, J.Wright, J.Ferguson, J.Hassin, Z.McClelland, G.Edgar, G.Titler, A.Stevenson, S.Bell.
Seconds v Belfast Harlequins (Saturday, home, league, start 4 o’clock, meet 2 o’clock): Players to be notified.
Thirds v Parkview (Saturday, away, league, start 2.30, meet 12.30): Players to be notified.
LADIES’ NOTES
PORTADOWN ladies’ firsts finished 4-0 down in Saturday’s Premier League date against top-of-the-table Queen’s.
“Three short corner strikes proved the difference between the teams,” said Jane McKimm, the ladies’ head coach. “It was an encouraging performance overall.
“We were under pressure early on but defended well then went in search of a way past the Queen’s pressing.
“We conceded from a short corner after 20 minutes but looked to be holding our own until a loss of concentration gifted Queen’s a second before half-time.
“In the second half we continued to work hard but, again, two corner strikes put the match out of reach.
“We managed to apply our own level of pressure and force some corners but could not place Queen’s under anything sustained.
“However, it was a young frontline with Jenni Martin and Ellen Duke, plus Zoe Jackson proved excellent in goals and Emma Smith was strong at left-back.
“Lynn Anderson and Pam Gilpin were also very solid in midfield.”
Portadown ladies’ firsts visit Lurgan tomorrow (Saturday) in the league from 2.30.
PORTADOWN ladies’ seconds’ meeting with Lurgan last weekend ended in a 4-0 defeat - with two late goals adding to the final gap.
PORTADOWN ladies’ thirds enjoyed a 4-1 win thanks to goals by Laura Smith, Kathryn Freeburn and Holly McAdam.
TRAINING for juniors will return on Monday night from 6.30 - weather permitting - at Edenvilla Park.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Portadown
Saturday 25 May 2013
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South
