Portadown 2-1 Larne (Result)
Fyfe brings Ports level after 64 minutes
McCartan gives hosts lead in 88th minute
FT: Portadown 2-1 Larne
What a day for Portadown as Shay McCartan's brillinat late goals earns the Shamrock Park hosts a dramatic win.
It's another defeat for Larne after losing 4-1 to Shamrock Rovers on Thursday night.
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FT: Portadown 2-1 Larne
Shay McCartan scores from his own half to clinch a late victory for the Ports.
Watch: Shay McCartan scores for Portadown to make it 2-1
Portadown 2-1 Larne
A famous victory for Portadown, sealed by Shay McCartan's spectacular long-range strike!
Eamon Fyfe's header had cancelled out Aaron McCarey's unfortunate own goal before McCartan's moment of magic from inside his own half secured all three points.
Larne's European hangover continues, as they once again fail to win a league match following midweek continental action.
Portadown 2-1 Larne
The fourth official signals three minutes of added time as Larne desperately search for an equalizer following Shay McCartan's moment of brilliance.
Shay McCartan - 88 mins
An absolute moment of magic from Shay McCartan!
The Portadown man spots Rohan Ferguson off his line and produces an audacious lob from inside his own half that sails over the stranded keeper.
A stunning strike that has Shamrock Park on its feet!
Portadown 1-1 Larne
Conor McKendry shows neat footwork to cut inside onto his left foot, but Lee Chapman times his sliding challenge perfectly to block the midfielders' goal-bound effort.
Portadown 1-1 Larne
Portadown make their second change of the afternoon as Jamie McDonagh is introduced in place of Paul McElroy, bringing fresh legs to the hosts' attacking line.
Portadown 1-1 Larne
Lee Chapman looks to find Ahu Obhakhan in the box, but his cross lacks the necessary precision, allowing Rohan Ferguson to gather comfortably.
Portadown 1-1 Larne
Shane McGonigle produces another yellow card, this time for Paul O'Neill, after the Larne substitute catches Gary Thompson with a late challenge.
Portadown 1-1 Larne
A glorious chance for the home side!
Eamon Fyfe finds himself through on goal but, with the angle tightening, can only fire straight at Rohan Ferguson, who stands tall to make a crucial save.
Portadown 1-1 Larne
Niall Currie makes his first change of the match as Ben Wylie is introduced, replacing Josh Ukek, who has put in a tireless shift on the wing.
Portadown 1-1 Larne
Eamin Fyfe gets up at the backpost to head home the equaliser for the Shamrock Park hosts.
Watch: Eamon Fyfe scores for Portadown to make it 1-1
Portadown 1-1 Larne
Larne makes another change as Dylan Sloan enters the action in place of Mark Randall, who makes way after a difficult afternoon in midfield.
Portadown 1-1 Larne
Paul O'Neill's curling free-kick forces Aaron McCarey into action, the keeper diving to push the ball behind for a corner, which the Portadown defence easily deals with.
Portadown 1-1 Larne
Shane McGonigle shows Dougie Wilson yellow for a late challenge on Conor McKendry in a prime position, just outside the D.
Another inviting free-kick opportunity for Tiernan Lynch's side, who've already rattled the woodwork from a similar range earlier.
Portadown 1-1 Larne
Steven McCullough's corner delivery carries too much weight, sailing beyond everyone to the far post where Josh Ukek can only direct his stretching header wide of the target.
Another set-piece opportunity wasted by the hosts.
Portadown 1-1 Larne
Shane McGonigle reaches for his pocket to show Conor McKendry a yellow card, the winger's frustration getting the better of him as he petulantly kicks the ball away after the referee's free-kick decision.
Portadown 1-1 Larne
The visitors respond instantly to the equalizer, with Tiernan Lynch making a double change: George Marsh and Paul O'Neill enter the fray to replace Chris Gallagher and Andy Ryan as the Inver Reds look to regain control of the contest.
Eamon Fyfe - 64 mins
The Ports are level!
The equaliser stems from Mark Randall's careless turnover, allowing Shay McCartan to find Paul McElroy wide right.
The resulting inswinging cross is delivered perfectly to the back post, where Eamon Fyfe powers his header home from close range.
Portadown 0-1 Larne
A promising move from the hosts as Ahu Obhakhan threads a clever ball to Josh Ukek inside the penalty area.
The winger's cutback for Paul McElroy is just overhit before Gary Thompson's follow-up effort is deflected behind by Levi Ives.
The resulting corner comes to nothing, but that's better from Niall Currie's side.
Watch: Late McCartan stunner helps Ports beat Larne
Shay McCartan scored from his own half two minutes from time to give Portadown a dramatic 2-1 victory over Larne at Shamrock Park.
The champions were aiming to bounce back from Thursday night's 4-1 defeat by Shamrock Rovers and they took the lead on 34 minutes.
Conor McKendry's low drive hit the post and then rebounded off Ports keeper Aaron McCarey before going in for an own goal.
Portadown levelled on 64 minutes when Eamon Fyfe got up at the backpost to head home.
McCartan won it for the Ports with a spectacular long-range shot and the win sends Niall Currie's side above Larne.
Larne's early-season struggles continue and their European hangover shows no signs of abating as they still search for their first league win since qualifying for Uefa Conference League.
The visitors broke the deadlock in fortuitous circumstances after 33 minutes. McKendry, receiving a pass from Cian Bolger 25 yards out, unleashed a shot that struck the far post before ricocheting off McCarey's face and into the net.
Portadown players celebrate making it 1-1 against Larne at Shamrock Park
Prior to the opener, the Inver Reds had squandered two gilt-edged opportunities. Bolger's glancing header from Mark Randall's corner flashed across goal, with Jordan McEneff agonizingly close to connecting.
Four minutes later, Benji Magee inexplicably missed from six yards after Andy Ryan's deft header set up the former Loughgall man.
After the break the away side came within inches of doubling their lead. Ryan's curling free-kick in the 56th minute beat McCarey but crashed against the upright. This near-miss seemed to galvanize the hosts, who began to assert themselves.
The Mid-Ulster side's persistence paid off in the 64th minute when Fyfe drew them level. Mark Randall's careless turnover allowed McCartan to find Paul McElroy, whose inswinging cross was met powerfully by Fyfe as he headed in.
As the match entered its final stages, both teams pressed for a winner. Larne's Paul O'Neill forced McCarey into a diving save from a free-kick, while at the other end, Fyfe was denied by Rohan Ferguson when through on goal.
However, the defining moment arrived in the 88th minute courtesy of an extraordinary strike from McCartan. The Portadown man, spotting Ferguson off his line, launched an audacious lob from inside his own half that sailed over the stranded keeper, sending Shamrock Park into raptures.
Larne must quickly regroup as they seek to defend their title, while the hosts will look to build on this morale-boosting triumph in the coming weeks.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Linfield | 13 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 27 | 13 | 14 | 26 |
|
| 2 | Ballymena United | 14 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 20 | 15 | 5 | 24 |
|
| 3 | Dungannon Swifts | 14 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 19 | 13 | 6 | 23 |
|
| 4 | Cliftonville | 13 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 17 | 14 | 3 | 21 |
|
| 5 | Glentoran | 14 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 15 | 12 | 3 | 21 |
|
| 6 | Crusaders | 12 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 15 | 12 | 3 | 20 |
|
| 7 | Coleraine | 14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 19 |
|
| 8 | Portadown | 13 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 17 | 16 | 1 | 18 |
|
| 9 | Larne | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 15 |
|
| 10 | Glenavon | 14 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 16 | -5 | 15 |
|
| 11 | Carrick Rangers | 13 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 13 | 24 | -11 | 11 |
|
| 12 | Loughgall | 14 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 14 | 35 | -21 | 8 |
|
Manager: Niall Currie
Manager: Tiernan Lynch
Manager: Niall Currie
Manager: Tiernan Lynch
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