Portadown battle to beat Linfield
Kevin Braniff grabbed the glory as Portadown's impressive run of form continued with a hard-earned win at home to Linfield.
Saturday, 21 November 2009
Portadown 1 - 0 Linfield
Braniff produced the fixture's decisive moment early in the second half to settle a match which Linfield dominated in terms of possession and sights of goal.
Linfield enjoyed a superb start and attacked from the first whistle, with David Miskelly producing a strong stop at his near post to deny Paul Munster.
Ross Redman then proved to be in the right place at the right time seconds later to head Michael Carvill's curling effort off the line.
The Linfield pressure continued with a Damien Curran free-kick which bounced off the post and a Munster drive wide of the mark from a promising position.
Miskelly was called into action on 20 minutes to tip Robert Garrett's drive from distance over the crossbar.
The closing stages of the half featured a Billy Joe Burns header which clipped the top of the crossbar and powerful Garrett shot which flashed past the post.
Portadown kicked into gear over the start of the second half and held the lead within seconds of the restart.
Gary McCutcheon fed Braniff and his shot was tipped wide by Stuart Addis. McCutcheon and Braniff combined seconds later to break the deadlock from the resultant corner-kick as the former's delivery was turned home by the latter on the volley.
Linfield's response featured a curling free-kick by Carvill which Miskelly managed to tip over the bar.
Portadown continued to impress - with John Convery's looping header, a low cross by Alan Teggart which Richard Lecky narrowly missed and Wesley Boyle's sidefoot shot all offering hope of a second goal.
Jamie Mulgrew came close on two occasions during the high-tempo half, with only a Tim Mouncey clearance off the line preventing Philip Lowry from levelling the game.
Linfield dominated possession as the half progressed but Portadown carved out a superb opening to wrap up the points on 83 minutes. However, Lecky was at a stretch and he could only stab wide from a Teggart cross.
Portadown: David Miskelly, Gareth Porter, Ross Redman, John Convery, Keith O'Hara, Wesley Boyle, Tim Mouncey, Kevin Braniff, Alan Teggart, Richard Lecky, Gary McCutcheon. Subs: Neil Armstrong, Andy Hunter, Richard Clarke (on for Porter, 66 mins), Aaron Haire, Chris Curran.
Linfield: Stuart Addis, Steven Douglas, Michael Gault, Damien Curran, Michael Carvill, Billy Joe Burns, Kris Lindsay, Mark Miskimmin, Robert Garrett, Jamie Mulgrew, Paul Munster. Subs: William Murphy, Philip Lowry (on for Garrett, 66 mins), Noel Bailie, Jamie Tomelty (on for Burns, 83 mins), Mark McAllister (on for Miskimmin, 66 mins).
Referee: Mark Courtney (Stewartstown).
© UTV News