Ben Pierce’s instant impact attracts early Portadown praise

Ben Pierce and Portadown manager Matthew Tipton. Pic courtesy of Portadown FC.

Pierce only arrived in Northern Ireland from England around 48 hours before but stepped in between the weekend posts following just a single training session with his new team-mates - and quickly attracted praise.

Victory by 4-0 over bottom-based Knockbreda arrived thanks to Adam Salley’s double, a Lee Bonis effort and own goal to place Portadown seven points clear at the head of the Bluefin Sport Championship table.

It handed Pierce a winning start to life with the Ports - having arrived as an out-of-contract signing until the end of the season.

Ports boss Matthew Tipton set sights on bringing in an additional goalkeeper alongside Danny Devine due to ongoing hip problems for Aidan McAdams, a January signing from Rangers.

The recent departure of USA-born Bobby Edwards to FC Cincinnati in America’s MLS forced Portadown into a replacement.

“He kept a clean sheet and we got the win, so that’s an ideal start for Ben, especially considering it was wrapped up quite quickly last week and he arrived here on the Thursday,” said Tipton of the former Everton, Manchester United and West Brom goalkeeper. “But he also pulled off two key saves, one inside the first few minutes then another in the second half.

“He showed real presence, with good distribution and communication skills and all really off the back of one training session.

“David Miskelly (Portadown assistant manager and former Irish League goalkeeper) was also pointing out specific small details he picked up on given his background, so an encouraging start.

“Off the field, Ben has quickly thrown himself into everything and was talking to me about the Irish League on Thursday, one day after our initial conversation.

“By Saturday he had watched highlights of every Ports game this season and was well-informed on what was going on in the league.”

The Ports aim to protect top spot by hosting Queen’s this weekend at Shamrock Park.

“Earlier in the season we would look at fixtures and plan over blocks of games with various points targets,” said Tipton. “Now it is a case of treating each game one at a time and keeping the focus on getting the wins.

“We have worked hard to be in this position as league leaders and there are still a number of games left so no-one is going to relax.

“But I can see from the boys they are willing to make those extra sacrifices still to get over the line.”