Party-poopers Ards spoil Niall's reunion
Ports slip-up in fight for survival
By Nigel Gould
As far as reunions go, Niall Currie’s catch-up with former club Ards was memorable – for all the wrong reasons.
The Ports boss was fired up for a much-needed kick-start to his club’s Premier League Mission Impossible but Ards very much spoiled the party.
To date it’s been one just win from eight games and on Saturday the Ports moved a step closer to Championship football after a 3-0 defeat at Shamrock Park.
Goals from Kyle Cherry, Ross Arthurs and young Matthew Shevlin gave Ards all three points.
To make matters worse, Portadown's Ken Oman picked up a red card.
Currie only left the County Down side in December after a five-year stint to fulfil a dream to manage his hometown team.
Earlier in the day, Ports legends Alfie Stewart, Neil Candlish, Robert Casey and John Convery (now on coaching staff) entertained the Portadown Supporters Society during a special lunch at Shamrock.
Certainly, there was a feeling of optimism that the club was getting back on track again after a torrid time of late.
However, every point is now vital for them if they are to stand any chance of survival.
Elsewhere, league leaders Crusaders march on relentlessly to another title after a 2-1 win over Ballymena.
Linfield kept up the pressure on Stephen Baxter’s men with a 2-0 win over Carrick.
Meanwhile, Coleraine beat Dungannon Swifts 2-1 and it was scoreless between Glentoran and Glenavon.