Irish Premiership

Portadown 0 – 0 Glentoran FT

Portadown and Glentoran played out a goalless draw in an entertaining Irish Premiership contest at Shamrock Park.

Portadown, who secured their first victory of the season last week, will feel frustrated after leaving Shamrock Park with a single point despite missing two clear chances to claim consecutive wins.

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Finn Flanagan sent an effort flying over the bar from eight yards out, with the goal waiting for him after just two minutes, while a late error on 76 minutes led to a two-on-one breakaway that Ben Kennedy could not convert due to a lack of power.

Glentoran struggled to find their rhythm for much of the game. Ryan Cooney’s looping cross struck the crossbar, which marked their nearest effort at a winner, as they climb to third place in the Irish Premiership standings.

Shamrock stalemate

Portadown deserved to lead in the second minute. Recalled striker James Teelan broke away down the left and drove a shot against the inside of the post.

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The ball came back to Flanagan, who stood eight yards from goal with goalkeeper Andrew Mills lying on the floor, but the striker smashed his first-time shot over the crossbar.

Glentoran began to find their stride in the 19th minute. Greg Sloggett’s low cross deflected off Jordan Jenkins and forced goalkeeper Aaron McCarey to dive and parry the ball at the near post.

The away side then hit the woodwork when Cooney’s looping cross sailed over all defenders only to rebound off the bar. Ross Clarke was unable to direct the follow-up shot on target.

James Singleton posed a threat in the 32nd minute, arriving at the back post to meet a Conor McMenamin corner delivery, but his header failed to find the target.

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The second half began much the same way, with Lee Chapman delivering an excellent long pass to Teelan. The striker’s first touch skipped the ball away from him, leaving it to run to an relieved Mills.

Glentoran goalkeeper Aaron McCarey nearly faced a tricky moment in the 54th minute when he reached for a Teelan cross and missed. Substitute Marcus Kane, who came on at half-time, cleared the loose ball to prevent further danger.

Portadown kept pushing forward, with Baris Altintop directing a Matthew Carson free-kick header just wide, followed by another Flanagan attempt that went astray.

Jordan Stewart demonstrated attacking ambition for the visitors when he forced a fine save from McCarey in the 67th minute.

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Portadown had another opportunity to take the lead with 14 minutes remaining. O’Mahoney King picked the ball away from a desperate slide from Kane and sprinted down the right wing.

Kennedy was positioned in front of the goal, but the ball arrived behind him and he could not control his strike properly. Mills collected the ball, and Portadown wasted their chance to take all three points.

Portadown boss David Jeffrey described the result as “job done” after his side prevented Glentoran from scoring.

“We asked the players before they went out whether they could deliver a clean sheet, because that is something which has escaped us this far,” Jeffrey said.

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“If I’m being honest, over the piece, we had three or four really good chances, and I don’t think it would be unfair to say that, if we’d got the three points, no-one could say that you didn’t deserve them.”

“But I said to the players, we’ve got to build on last week, we’ve got to keep the same momentum going, and I thought, to a man, they were absolutely first class.”

Glentoran interim manager Paddy McCourt, who shares the role with Tim McCann, said he was disappointed with the attacking play of his side.

“I’m pleased with a point in terms of how we defended, we put our body on to…”

“I’m disappointed, if I’m being honest, with our own attack and play.

“When we had opportunities to either create a chance or get a shot away, it was probably below the level we expect with the players we have.”