Highlights: Portadown secure first points of the season

John McGovern
BBC Sport NI contributor

Portadown claimed their first Irish Premiership victory of the season with a 3-1 win over nine-man Limavady United at Shamrock Park.

The Ports had taken just one point from their opening nine league matches, but second-half goals from Baris Altintop and Ben Kennedy secured a much-needed victory for David Jeffrey's side.

Limavady's afternoon unravelled late on as Tiarnan Boorman and substitute Leon Boyd were both shown straight red cards.

The result means that Portadown, who remain bottom of the table, are now a point behind Bangor.

Ports secure first victory

Portadown suffered an early setback when Rhys Breen was forced off after three minutes, but his replacement James Teelan made an immediate impact by opening the scoring.

Matthew Carson's dangerous delivery was headed into Teelan's path and the substitute fired a low effort beyond Martin Gallagher.

Limavady responded just two minutes later when Ronan Wilson threaded a pass behind the Portadown defence for Jamie McGonigle, who raced into the area and drove across Aaron McCarey for his sixth league goal of the season.

McCarey later raced from his goal to pressure Philip Lowry into shooting wide after McGonigle had sent him clear.

The visitors started the second half brightly, but Portadown regained the lead when Ben Kennedy switched play to Altintop, who found himself in space on the left and fired beyond Gallagher.

Kennedy then made it 3-1 after 75 minutes, meeting Jack Scott's free-kick at the far post and finding the net.

Adam Towe almost added a fourth when Teelan released him on the counter-attack, but his effort struck the post.

Limavady's frustration showed in the closing stages as Boorman was dismissed after bringing down Kennedy when through on goal after 83 minutes.

Boyd was then shown a straight red for a late challenge on Carson in the 89th minute as the Roesiders finished with nine men.

What the managers said

Portadown manager David Jeffreys: "I think it's extremely important. We find ourselves in a very difficult and disappointing place. After a very positive pre-season, the season starting proper has been difficult. Ultimately, the league table doesn't tell lies.

"We just had to stick together as a group, staff and players together, and continue to work as hard as we possibly could. The players responded brilliantly today. They played fantastically well, worked their absolute socks off and got the rewards that their hard work deserved.

"It would have been nice if we had got more, but I'm not going to start getting greedy. Three goals were good enough for me today and I'm delighted they secured the three points.

"While obviously very sorry that Rhys [Breen] had to leave the field so early, James [Teelan] came on and did what James does. We thought he was certainly going to play a part today – I didn't think he would play a part so early."

Limavady United manager Paul Owens: "Outside of the goal, I don't think we had a shot on goal. It's probably the first time in nine games that we've put in a performance like that. Portadown fully deserved their victory.

"Both of our red cards were red cards in my opinion. I've apologised to David Jeffrey for the second one because it was a terrible tackle from Leon, but he's not that type of player.

"I thought the challenge on Alfie Gaston at 1-1 was a stonewall red card and that could have made it a different game, but outside of that we were nowhere near the levels we've had in recent weeks."