INSTITUTE: Colts fight back to claim victory

The game had begun well for the Drumahoe boys and they deservedly took an 8th minute lead after Matty Lynch had two efforts saved by the visiting goalkeeper defender Dylan Forbes popped up to bundle the ball home from close range.

The visitors immediately responded as Stute failed to deal with a dangerous free-kick from the left and although keeper Eoin Matthewson blocked an initial effort he was helpless as the ball fell to another Portadown player who was presented with the simplest of tap-ins.

An identical delivery saw Portadown take the lead on 17 minutes. Matthewson felt he was impeded as he rose to claim a high ball but the ball spilled from his grasp and once again it was a player in red who reacted quickest to fire the ball into the net.

On the stroke of half-time, and against the run of play, the visitors added a third goal when some hesitation allowed the Portadown player to drive the ball beyond the reach of Matthewson’s outstretched hand.

Institute came storming back in the second period and their cause was aided by an early goal from in form John Mallett, who was on hand to scramble the ball home.

The home side enjoyed the majority of possession as they pressed for an equaliser but they had to wait until the 72nd minute before scoring again.

A Brennan free-kick caused problems for the Portadown defenders and the ball fell kindly for captain Cathal Connolly who steadied himself before firing home from 12 yards.

Eight minutes from time Stute got their noses in front as Forbes strode out from defence before his perfectly timed through-ball set Aaron Jarvis in on goal and he made no mistake.

Institute wrapped up the scoring two minutes later as Brennan and Pomeroy combined before the big striker unleashed an unstoppable shot.