Isaac Baird’s big personal win as Linfield will ‘take the aches and pains’ after third road trip in seven days
Isaac Baird was back on familiar turf on Friday but finished with a fresh experience as he helped Linfield to a fightback 2-1 win over Portadown.
Ben Kennedy’s penalty put the Ports in front but the Blues battled back off a Rhys Brennan strike then Matthew Fitzpatrick header.
Richhill-born Baird started his career in the Ports’ youth system before a Mid-Ulster derby switch to Glenavon then Linfield move.
"Portadown's a very difficult place to come to...I've never actually won here, even at Glenavon,” said Baird on the official Linfield social media platforms. "It was never going to be easy and we've had to weather quite a few storms there in the second half but we've got through it and ‘Big Fitzy' (Matthew Fitzpatrick) scored a lovely big header and won us the game.”
It provided the Blues with back-to-back Premiership wins on the road in response to last weekend’s away draw at Carrick Rangers.
Baird started his Irish League career in the heart of midfield but the 22-year-old helped Linfield home at Shamrock Park from a role in the centre of defence.
"We'll take the aches and pains for games and wins (after three fixtures in seven days),” said Baird. "I'm happy just to stay in the team and keep playing so, hopefully, I can keep doing well, keep winning the games and getting more points.
"I actually love playing centre-half, it's easier when you've got probably the best keeper in the league behind you (Chris Johns), you've got ‘Big Ben’ (Hall), Ethan (McGee) and Dane (McCullough) beside and then in front you've got 'Shieldsy' (Chris Shields), Jamie (Mulgrew) and Kyle (McClean)...the players around you make it a lot easier.”
PORTADOWN: Aaron McCarey, Divin Isamala, Matthew Carson, Baris Altintop, Lee Chapman, Eamon Fyfe, James Teelan, Jack Scott, Mikey Hewitt, Gary Thompson, Ben Kennedy. Subs: Jamie Barry, Lewis MacKinnon, Adam Towe, Conor Falls, Benjamin Wells, Finn Flanagan, Dominic Martins.
LINFIELD: Chris Johns, Chris Shields, Kyle McClean, Adam Frizzell, Kitt Nelson, Ben Hall, Rhys Brennan, Isaac Baird, Ethan McGee, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Dane McCullough. Subs: Aidan Glavin, Ryan Nolan, Kirk Millar, Dylan Wells, Jamie Mulgrew, Sean Brown, Kobei Moore.