Matthew Tipton’s full faith in Portadown attacking strength

A 1-0 defeat last weekend has left the Ports with a sole point from the first five fixtures of the Premiership season.

The return from that derby draw with Glenavon arrived on the opening night but was followed by defeats to Crusaders, Larne, Linfield and Carrick Rangers.

Although unable to find the net from road trips to tackle the Crues and Carrick, Shamrock Park performances have produced plenty of drama with injury-time goals and end-to-end action.

Now the Ports face another derby test with the visit of a Dungannon Swifts side without a point as the top-flight’s bottom side.

“I still have faith in our attacking options, despite what was a bad day against Carrick,” said Tipton. “I actually think, in my time as Portadown manager going to Carrick, it was the best we’ve played in terms of control and how our goalkeeper didn’t really have a save to make in open play.

“We hit the bar and post in the first half but then went a goal down and that gave Carrick something to defend.

“The frustration came from our response to that and how we lacked the composure to cut them open or deliver the right ball at the right time.

“We made attacking substitutions and finished with four forwards on the pitch but it all seemed too drastic and with efforts over the bar or from too far out rather than really making their keeper work.

“But that does not mean I stop backing my forwards to put away chances and you only have to look at the previous games going into Carrick to see how we created opportunities against Larne and Linfield.

“I think we are at our best when on the frontfoot and we know we can pose an attacking threat to anyone.

“But although the performances have been encouraging overall, we need a win so it’s about making it count when you get chances.

“But when up against Larne and Linfield we were full of energy and managed to keep the ball alive around the box, so it’s about getting back to that approach compared to what all felt a bit rushed against Carrick.”

Portadown will use the home game to pay respect to former player Kevin McKeever.

McKeever, who died during the week, played in some of the club’s most successful sides during the 1990s.

Former team-mates of McKeever’s have been invited to attend the game as part of the club tribute.

--

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world.

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you