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Linfield 5 - 0 Portadown

The Blues welcomed Mark McAllister into the starting line up with star striker Peter Thompson suspended for his straight red card against Crusaders in last Tuesday's league game.

Portadown started the game brightly. On three minutes, Jordan Baker made a run down the right before cutting the ball back for Gary McCutcheon.

The Scotsman couldn't keep his shot down and the ball sailed harmlessly over the bar. The same player tested Alan Blayney on 16 minutes, but the Linfield goalkeeper got down well to save at his right hand post.

Curtis Allen had Linfield's first real chance on 26 minutes. Following hesitancy in the Portadown defence, Allen was allowed time and space to hit a low shot from the edge of the box but luckily for the Ports, David Miskelly did well to smother the ball at his near post.

The opening goal of the game came on 29 minutes. Jamie Mulgrew lifted the ball over the Portadown back line and Curtis Allen marginally beat the offside trap before keeping his cool and slotting the ball home beyond Miskelly in the Portadown goal.

On 33 minutes, the Blues doubled their lead. Billy Joe Burns slid the ball to Philip Lowry who smashed the ball home from the edge of the box giving Miskelly no chance.

After a slow start to the game, Linfield were beginning to apply their dominance to Ronnie McFall's shell-shocked side.

It took only two minutes of the second half for Linfield to add a third. A great move involving Allen and McAllister, allowed the latter to slip the ball through to Billy Joe Burns. Burns kept his head before lifting the ball over a hapless David Miskelly and into the back of the net.

Convincing

Mark McAllister should have added insult to injury a few minutes later but his header from point blank range went well over the crossbar following Jamie Tomelty's corner kick.

Curtis Allen's close range effort on 63 minutes was well saved by Miskelly before on 69 minutes, Jamie Tomelty played a delicious through ball to Curtis Allen who made no mistake by drilling the ball home from the left from 10 yards.

In form Allen was not allowed the chance however, to complete his hat trick after being replaced by Paul Munster.

The Blues added a fifth on 79 minutes and it came from another fine move. Robert Garrett found Mark McAllister on the right hand edge of the box. The former Dungannon striker played a delicious ball to the back post before the onrushing Jamie Tomelty smashed home past Miskelly.

So, a convincing win for David Jeffrey's side and one which means the Blues stay top of the Carling Premiership, a point behind Cliftonville who recorded a 1-0 home win over basement side Lisburn Distillery.

Linfield Team: Blayney, BJ Burns (Casement 71), Aaron Burns (Curran 77), Bailie, Lindsay, Lowry, Garrett, Mulgrew, Tomelty, McAllister, Allen (Munster 73).
Subs: Gault, Addis.

Portadown Team: Miskelly, Redman, Clarke, Kelly, Braniff, Mouncey, Teggart (Morrison 53), McCutcheon, Baker (Topley 66), Hunter (O'Hara 82), Mackle.
Subs: Armstrong, McCluskey.

© UTV News