Yule always find it hard to beat Portadown

By Graham Luney
Monday, 27 December 2010

They say football managers are driven on by their defeats, rather than victories.

It’s the times when things go horribly wrong that fuel a determination to get it right at the next opportunity.

But bizarrely, when it comes to festive showdowns, Portadown manager Ronnie McFall can’t remember a time when he tasted defeat.

Despite calling the shots at Shamrock Park for almost 25 years, the veteran supremo can’t recall a time when neighbours Glenavon made his leftover turkey taste a little off.

More often than not, it’s been a win with all the trimmings for the Ports in these battles but Glenavon will believe the time is right to end that shocking record.

While the Lurgan Blues are on a six-game unbeaten run, Portadown’s season, which threatened to explode into life on the back of European miracles, has faded quicker than the sun this winter.

“I really can’t remember Glenavon beating us on Boxing Day,” said McFall. “It was that long ago. A lot of people tell me we have this great record but I don’t really pay attention to that.

“I focus on the next challenge and don’t tend to dwell on things. There is a lot of pride at stake in these games and everyone wants to win them. Glenavon are in good form but hopefully a win for us could help us turn our season around. We need to be more consistent and start putting a run together.”

Portadown have opted for an early pitch inspection this morning to give the game every chance of conquering the freezing weather conditions. A thaw began in Mid-Ulster yesterday so it is fingers crossed. Clubs are taking a significant financial hit during this bitterly cold winter and the Ports hope to avoid counting the cost of another postponed fixture.

“Games against Cliftonville and Lisburn Distillery have to be played and if this one falls foul of the weather then you are into playing two games a week, Tuesday, then Saturday which nobody wants,” McFall added.

“This is the biggest game of the season, when a big crowd attends, and the club doesn’t want to lose that money.”