Portadown crowned champions and book return to Premiership on dramatic afternoon of Championship action

Portadown booked their return to the Premiership as champions on Saturday afternoon. Here’s the story of the match:
Portadown manager Niall Currie. (Photo by INPHO/Declan Roughan)Portadown manager Niall Currie. (Photo by INPHO/Declan Roughan)
Portadown manager Niall Currie. (Photo by INPHO/Declan Roughan)

TEAMS

PORTADOWN: Buchanan, L Wilson, Chapman, Mayse, Russell, Fyfe, Henderson, Traynor, Thompson, Dobbin, Diau.

Subs: Hogg, McCawl, McElroy, Kane, Barr, Murray, Browne.

DUNDELA: Hunter, Fletcher, Dinu, McGovern, McMaster, Corbett, Dornan, White, Patton, Kelly, Jenkins.

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Subs: McClurg, McCreery, Rea, Burns, Smyth, Kalla, Faulkner.

Referee: Mark Dillon.

FIRST HALF

6: First sight of goal for Jordan Jenkins but his shot is well blocked by Brandon Diau.

14: Some bright moments for Portadown as a Ryan Mayse cross is well gathered by Lewis Hunter and the Dundela goalkeeper holds another cross with a Portadown player closing in.

22: Wicked cross from Jordan Jenkins just evades all green shirts in the Portadown box.

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28: Mark Russell’s cross is headed back out to Jack Henderson on the edge of the box and the midfielder produces a fine pass back out to the Ports winger. His second attempt to swing in a delivery is miscued and goes out for a goal kick.

32: Superb ball over the top from Diau sends Eamon Fyfe in behind and he’s brought down by Jaimie McGovern. Dundela captain is booked.

34: Another yellow shown, this time to Portadown skipper Gary Thompson for stopping a Dundela counter.

36: Visitors almost take the lead from the resulting free-kick through Mark Patton’s direct effort but Gareth Buchanan claws it back.

HALF TIME: Portadown 0 – 0 Dundela.

SECOND HALF

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46: Huge chance at the start of the second-half for Portadown as Mark Russell’s header goes just over the crossbar.

49: Another opportunity on goal for the hosts as Ciaran Dobbin unleashes from distance, forcing Hunter to palm around his post for a corner.

50: Brilliant counter from Dundela ends in Jenkins smashing his shot just inches wide of Buchanan’s far post.

52: Jenkins starting to cause serious problems and he’s brought down in a dangerous position by Luke Wilson while attempting to cut inside from the right. Patton’s free-kick is deflected for a corner off the wall.

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56: A miscued McGovern clearance almost finds its way into Dundela’s net. Ports can’t create a chance from resulting corner.

58: Hunter is forced into another fine save by Ryan Mayse, tipping the playmaker’s attempt over the crossbar. Diau gets first contact from the corner but Dundela clear.

58: Niall Currie makes his first changes with Paul McElroy and Kenny Kane introduced from the bench. Ciaran Dobbin and Mark Russell make way.

60: Another stop from Hunter, this time swatting away Fyfe’s free kick after Luke Wilson had been brought down.

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68: GOAL: Portadown 1-0 (Ryan Mayse). Could that be the goal that sends Portadown up? Mayse keeps his cool as the ball comes across the box to him and slams past Hunter.

77: GOAL: Dundela (Jordan Jenkins). Former Portadown striker Jenkins scores his 21st league goal of the season to level in front of the Duns support. 1-1.

81: Mayse comes close to adding his second but Hunter closes him down in the nick of time.

84: Dundela substitute Lee Rea sends an effort back off Portadown’s post! Huge scare for the title-chasing Ports. Buchanan comes to claim the corner which follows moments later.

FULL TIME: Portadown 1 – 1 Bangor.

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