Portadown kept the pressure on Linfield with another hard fought victory over the Whites this afternoon at Ballyskeagh.  The victory came at a cost though as influential midfielder Tim Mouncey was stretchered off after only 4 minutes with a suspected dislocated knee.  His replacement was fans favourite, Richard Clarke who made up for lost time as he got himself into the midfield groove after a number of months warming the bench.   The Ports had the wind at their backs for the first half, but despite the lions share of possession they’d nothing to show for their efforts.  However, cometh the hour cometh the man as they say and that man Clarke was on hand to steer home a header from six yards just before the break to send the Ports fans into raptures. 

The second half was a scrappy affair as the teams stuggled to cope with the strong wind and driving rain which was whipping across the pitch.  The Ports did go close after some neat moves with Braniff, McCabe, McCafferty Gartland and McCloskey all having efforts at goal.  Jamie Tomelty made the Points safe though with a well taken goal 5 minutes from time when he caught out an Andy Hunter clearance, clipped the ball over Brennan and finished from a tight angle to seal the victory.

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