Portadown set-up a mouth-watering clash against Linfield in the semi-final of the Minor section at SuperCupNI after a comeback win against Chicago City in Portstewart.

The Ports had to recover from a goal behind to secure the 6-1 success as Juan Garcia Costello blasted the Americans into an early lead.

However, Portadown quickly bounced back from that setback to lead 3-1 at the interval as Harvey Morton, Max Moffett and Alfie Houston were amongst the goals on a wet morning in the north coast town.

After scoring three in the first half, it would be the same after the break for Portadown as Fionnan McCluskey, Braxton Mustoe and Cameron Fitzsimons powered the Co Armagh men through to the last four for a meeting against fellow Irish League side Linfield.

placeholder image — Portadown have beaten Glenavon, Kilmarnock and Chicago City en-route to the last four

“It was great to finish top of the group obviously,” said Portadown head coach Robbie Gaston.

"It wasn't the start we wanted obviously, going one down straight away, but the boys fought well and came back into it.

"It's good to see it out 6-1 in the end.

“There is so much character in that wee team, they do fight for each other and they work really, really hard.

"They deserve to top the group and reach the semi-final.”

So does Gaston back his boys to potentially knock Linfield out and reach the showpiece decider on Friday?

He replied: “It must have been a number of years since Portadown has been in SuperCupNI, so that was our aim at the start of the season.

"We definitely had to qualify this year...a lot of preparation has been going in for even the year before when they were under 12s.

"They've worked really hard, it's brilliant to get here first of all and then top of the group is massive, so everybody is very, very happy.

“It's a one-off game and you never know what can happen. The boys will be up for it and we'll see how it goes.

"Us and Linfield know each other really well and we know their quality.

“Ballymena are actually staying in the same accommodation as us, so we've been comparing notes.

"We’ll have to see if we’re still comparing notes if we both reach the final.”

Linfield also didn’t have things their own way as they had to battle to a 3-2 victory against Surf Select in Kells.

The Blues were 1-0 down at half-time but a quickfire brace from Harri Niblock turned the game on its head, and despite Surf Select levelling for 2-2, Linfield edged the win when Odhran McGarrity bagged the all important fifth goal of the game.

Meanwhile, the other semi-final is another all-Irish League affair after Ballymena and Cliftonville also topped their respective groups.

The Sky Blues made it three wins from as many games after edging out Atlas 1-0 at the Warren in Portstewart, with holders Cliftonville easing to a 3-0 success against Scottish side Ross County in Kells.

Portadown and Linfield will do battle at Anderson Park in Coleraine on Thursday at 11am, with the meeting between Ballymena United and Cliftonville taking place at the Limavady Showgrounds at 2pm.