Irish League Football

Image source, Inpho

Portadown midfielder Eamon Fyfe said that his side dominated the game after making the crucial breakthrough against Ballymena United on Friday night.

After squandering a number of opportunities in the first half, the Ports almost went behind when Josh Carson's free-kick struck the post.

But they broke after that set piece and Josh Ukek scored the opener before substitute Ryan Mayse and Fyfe added further late goals to seal the win.

"I thought we started the first half really well, created a lot of chances so we were disappointed to be going in at 0-0 at half-time," he told BBC Sport NI.

"Second half, we had the intention of pushing on, but I thought the first 20 minutes we were sloppy enough but once the first goal went in, we dominated.

"They pushed on trying to equalise and that is where we found pockets, the game felt more open, and we capitalised."

The impressive win was Portadown's second successive triumph in the league after they beat champions Larne last weekend.

It moved the Ports up to fifth in the table, but Fyfe insists that his side are not getting carried away given the unpredictable nature of the league this campaign.

"It's only two games in a long season, we don't want to get too ahead of ourselves," he added.

"I don't even know where we are sitting, the league is mad at the minute, everyone is in a big bunch, and it doesn't look like breaking anytime soon so you can't get too high."

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Ballymena United manager Jim Ervin apologised to the club's fans after his side suffered a third straight Irish Premiership defeat in the 3-0 home humbling by Portadown.

After the eight-game winning run which shot them to the top of the table, the Braidmen have now suffered successive losses against Coleraine, Crusaders and the Ports.

Ervin described his side's evening as an "absolute disaster" as second-half goals from Josh Ukek, Ryan Mayse and Eamon Fyfe earned Portadown a victory that the Ballymena boss acknowledged was "thoroughly deserved".

"We were poor from start to finish. Extremely disappointed because we collapsed after the first goal. That’s probably the most disappointing thing," said Ervin.

"I’m absolutely gutted for the fans who’ve come out again tonight in numbers and we’ve let them down a bucket full."

After being hailed for their performances during the winning run, Ervin insisted the Ballymena players must now "be brave enough to accept the criticism as well".

"We can’t get too down. We need to respond. We need everybody up and at it," added Ervin.

"The naivety in the defending for our goals was really, really stupid. I’m disappointed in the manner that we’ve conceded. Portadown controlled it from start to finish tonight."

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Crusaders defender Jordan Forsythe lamented a "poor" first half display which he believes cost his side in their north Belfast derby defeat by Cliftonville.

Joe Gormley scored the only goal of the game in the first half, whilst the Reds also squandered a handful of chances to further extend their advantage.

Crusaders improved in the second half and had opportunities of their own to level, but Forsythe believes they left themselves with too much of a mountain to climb.

"I think the first half performance was poor from us, we gave Cliftonville far too much of the ball and they are good with it, they work a lot on their shape and they're good at pulling you out," he told BBC Sport NI.

"There was some good football from both sides, and it was a good advert for the league."

The result, coupled with Portadown's win against Ballymena sees the Crues drop out of the top six.

And Forsythe was disappointed with his own and his teammates' wastefulness in front of goal in the latter stages of the game when they carved out opportunities.

"We came out in the second half and give it a good push, but the wee bit of luck when you were waiting on one to fall for you just wasn't there tonight," he continued.

"I think with the number of chances we had in the second half; we are disappointed because we should take them."

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Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton said that the "effort and desire" of his players to get a result against Crusaders must be applauded.

Joe Gormley scored what proved to be the winner with a well-taken first half finish, with the Reds forced to defend deep in the second half to hang on for the win.

Magilton was delighted with the grit shown to grind out a third successive league win.

"Credit to Crusaders they really forced the issue, we had to defend for our lives, we had character and resilience, and I'm delighted with the three points," he told BBC Sport NI.

Magilton was however, frustrated that Cliftonville squandered numerous opportunities to put the game to bed.

"If we had taken one or two of our chances it might have been an easier night," he added.

"I knew Crusaders would provide a real attacking threat but some of our play was really pleasing, we just didn't take our chances."

He also conceded that whilst results have improved after a seven-game winless run, he still demands a better performance.

"I'd like more control in the game overall, we were a little bit erratic towards the end, but you have to credit the opposition, they went for it."

The Reds boss reserved special praise for Gormley, who netted his seventh goal of the season in his 499th game for the club.

"He's special because he has this incredible knack of scoring goals and that you can't coach.

"H is one of the most outstanding finishers I have worked with, inside the box, you don't expect him to miss and if he does you are shocked," he continued.

"Five hundred games for any player at any club is a remarkable achievement and he is an incredible person too."

Image source, BBC Sport

Ballymena v Portadown (Friday, 19:45 GMT)

Both teams have shown reasonable form recently, with Portadown taking confidence from the result last weekend. We've come off of eight wins in a row and then a string of narrow loses, so we'll be hoping to get back on the wagon.

Prediction: N/A (we'll let him off this one!)

Cliftonville v Crusaders (Friday, 19:45 GMT, live on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website)

The north Belfast derby is probably the second biggest fixture in the league. It throws up a good game with plenty of goals. Both sides have had solid starts, with Cliftonville coming off a big win. I think Declan Caddell is still finding a starting team that suits them, but they remain dangerous, especially in games like this one.

Prediction: 2-2

Coleraine v Dungannon Swifts (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound)

Coleraine’s home advantage could give them the edge in a tight game. Rodney McAree's men have impressed with their young, talented squad, and have become a surprise package this season. Despite Dungannon's form, Coleraine have a nice brand of football and might just edge this one.

Prediction: 2-1

Glentoran V Larne (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound)

Tough game to call. Larne’s form has been up and down and with pressure on the squad due to European defeats and squad rotation, they haven't been able to find their rhythm. On their day though, they can beat anyone. Declan Devine will be pushing to secure points on Saturday at home, hoping to build some momentum.

Prediction: 1-1

Loughgall v Glenavon (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound)

A massive game for both teams at the other end of the table. Loughgall have a confidence boost from last week's win, and Glenavon have had good results against some top sides. Sometimes they need to turn draws into wins and they'll be looking to do that this weekend.

Prediction: 1-1

Carrick Rangers V Linfield (Sunday, 12:30 GMT)

Carrick Rangers have seen a turn in form since Stephen Baxter came in, and their results reflect that. Linfield however, with their depth and experience, are known to bounce back strongly after a defeat. I expect Linfield to go out and win in a competitive game.

Prediction: 1-2

Don't forget to join Ballymena United player Colin Coates with Michael McNamee on this weekend's Sportsound programme on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Ulster and the BBC Sport website from 14:00 GMT on Saturday.

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Larne boss Tiernan Lynch says they have to take Sunday's 2-1 defeat by Portadown "firmly on the chin".

It was another setback for the champions, coming three days after a 4-1 defeat by Shamrock Rovers in the Uefa Conference League.

It also leaves the Inver Reds with just one point from their last three league games as they slipped to ninth in the standings.

"It's really easy for me to come here and start blaming people, blaming fixtures or blaming the players but I don't think that's what it's all about," he said.

"Collectively we take our medicine today. There's some things that we're doing really well and there's some things we're doing not so well and it's hurting us at the moment.

"We just have to stay together, roll up our sleeves, take these things firmly on the chin and try to put them right.

"Ultimately it is about what we do about it. You can shy away from this but I don't think that's going to be our form."

Aaron McCarey's own goal gave the visitors the lead but Eamon Fyfe levelled for the Ports before Shay McCartan's brilliant strike from his own half won it two minutes from time.

"We never took our chances, we didn't create enough chances and we conceded stupid goals," added Lynch.

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Portadown manager Niall Currie says the 2-1 comeback victory over Larne was a "fantastic day for the club".

Aaron McCarey's own goal put the Premiership champions in front but the Shamrock Park hosts hit back with two second-half goals.

Eamon Fyfe headed in the leveller before Shay McCartan won it two minutes from time with a superb strike, scoring from his own half.

"It's a fantastic day for the club - in situations like this it is very important to stay in the game," said Currie.

"We knew possession wise it was always going to be difficult but our shape was fantastic and we were very disciplined.

"We stuck to our gameplan. I thought in the last 25 minutes we opened the game up and had quite a few breakaways."

The highlight of the match came in the 88th minute when McCartan spotted Rohan Ferguson off his line and sent his long-range effort into the net.

"Shay is a wonderful player, a wonderful talent.

"People have been saying about his lack of numbers in terms of goals, in terms of assists but is a special player and I'd love to see his GPS stats because he worked his socks off of the ball."

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Linfield assistant manager Ross Oliver says the better team won as the Premiership pacesetters lost 2-1 to Cliftonville on Saturday.

The leaders moved in front thanks to a Matthew Fitzpatrick strike but the Reds dominated and finally got their reward in the final 10 minutes.

Ryan Curran and Ryan Corrigan netted to secure the win for visitors and Oliver was in no doubt that it was a deserved victory.

"Absolutely, I don't think there is any argument about that even though we went in 1-0 up at half-time," said Oliver.

"I don't think we have any excuses, we just weren't at it today. We had a chat with the with the boys in there - it was a poor performance all round."

The result sees Linfield remain two points clear of Ballymena United at the top and with a game in hand.

However, Oliver is concerned with the team's home form with all three league defeats this season coming at Windsor Park.

"It's not like us - we're usually so strong at home.

"It's something we'll need to address and address pretty quickly."

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Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton says the performance in the 2-1 comeback victory over Premiership leaders Linfield is the template for progress.

Matthew Fitzpatrick gave the Blues a first-half lead at Windsor Park before the Reds hit back with goals from Ryan Curran and teenager Ryan Corrigan.

"I'm delighted with the level of performance - they set the standard and the template moving forward," said Magilton.

"It's always a very difficult place to come to. To have to work your socks off, which we did. To have to show courage, which we did and you have to show quality, which we did.

"Ultimately there was a real determination from the players and substitutes that came on to get the result."

The win moves the north Belfast side up to fourth in the standings and five points behind the Blues.

It's back-to-back wins now for the Reds after beating Coleraine 2-1 on Tuesday night to end a five-match winless run.

"Tuesday night was an important win for us - we had periods of play when we were getting back to where we want to be be.

"Today there were more prolonged periods of real quality in our play without a cutting edge but I was delighted with the contribution of the players, they were so courageous."

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Carrick Rangers manager Stephen Baxter said that he had mixed emotions after watching his side draw 1-1 with Glenavon in an eventful Irish Premiership encounter at Mourneview Park.

The visitors had goalkeeper Ross Glendinning sent-off in first-half stoppage time after he handled the ball outside the area.

Substitute keeper Ben McCauley saved Niall Quinn's penalty 15 minutes from time and then David Cushley's spot-kick in the 89th minute looked to have given Carrick three points.

David McDaid headed home in stoppage time to salvage a point for the Lurgan Blues however.

"In many ways you’re disappointed because when you get a goal in the 89th minute you’ve really got to see the game out and take all three," said Baxter.

"But in the balance of the game a draw is a very good result for us because we were up against it for such a long period of time.

"To go down to 10 men and see that through when Glenavon were coming at us in waves of attacks. We always had that little bit going forward as well."

“If you had offered me a point at half-time I would have been pleased with it and we’ll be very satisfied that we have come away with something."

Baxter had special praise for keeper McCauley.

“Young Ben came on and his first big moment was having to make a penalty save and what a brilliant save it was.

"If we had conceded at that moment it would have been more difficult but we held in there, waited for our moment, got it and we could have nicked it in the end.

“Credit to Glenavon though, they came up the pitch and got a goal.”