PORTADOWN, from the Ulster Premier League, scored a superb 3-2 victory over visiting EYHL 1 side Ards in a Denman Shield first round tie that also saw a promising debut for the home side by sporting all rounder Brianna Gregg, an athletics star with Newry AC and also a water polo winner.
Ards started well and looked sharper than the Ports who hadn’t played in some weeks.
And it was no surprise when Ards made the breakthrough in clinical fashion when an awkward ball was played in from midfield and a forward pounced to score on the inside of the left post.
The warning signs were there as Ards had been getting joy from working the ball from the defence through the centre midfield. Portadown did manage to win an unfruitful penalty corPC but the end of the quarter saw them go in one down.
Portadown improved in the second quarter. Alyssa Somerville struck a reverse hit which was well saved, and then Evie Girvan flashed a shot across the Ards goal.
The Ports were now more confident and prepared to receive the ball in tight spaces. This was rewarded with an equaliser when Lara Wilson and Emily Adamson pickpocketed the Ards defence and Emily got a reverse shot away so quickly that the keeper couldn’t react in time.
And just like that it was two when Emily Adamson sent a ball towards goal and Katie Herron was on hand to instinctively deflect the ball home to give her side a 2-1 half time lead.
The match was hugely entertaining with some great play from both teams. Beth Harper was imperious and marshalled a Ports defence who effectively kept Ards at bay.
Ards one and two touch play did, however, create space and they were able to work their way around the circle until a forward found space and tucked the ball home.
Emma McEntee almost scored an unlikely Ports goal when she audaciously shot from the edge of the circle and the ball looped high and came down against the crossbar and away.
Portadown were looking increasingly dangerous and although the third quarter finished 2-2, Portadown scored the decisive goal when Lara Wilson pounced on a rebound to force the ball in past the visiting keeper.
Ards fought back but the Ports not only held out but started to dominate. Leah Galbraith’s aerials were causing problems and Evie Thompson got the ball under control and fed Evie G who forced a save from the keeper in the final act of an exciting match and magnificent win for the Ports.
Portadown-Ards action
