It’s too little, too late from South as Ports edge into top spot

With South having already qualified with three wins from their previous three games, the only thing left to play for was the privilege of finishing as group winners.

In the early stages of the game, neither team was able to create any chances but as the first half wore on, South began to control the game.

Much to the surprise of the onlooking crowd, Portadown scored against the run of play, with more than a hint of fortune in the build-up.

A long ball from a Portadown defender ricocheted into the path of an attacker. Although South keeper Mark Hutchinson dealt well with the first shot, the rebound was slammed into the net.

Moments later, South equalised through an Adam Glass short corner, which, with the help of a slight deflection, rocketed into the roof of the Portadown net. The game took another dramatic twist as Portadown regained the lead moments later after a defensive lapse of concentration.

After such an action packed finale to the first half, with tensions running high, the message at half-time was to be more composed on the ball, calm on the pitch and precise in attack.

This advice was well received and South searched for the equaliser. However, five minutes in, they gave a short away and Portadown extended their lead. The next 10 minutes were frantic, disjointed and nervous from South and as the game became stretched, Portadown looked the most likely to score.

Eventually, South began to improve their overall play, defending better as a unit and attacking with more purpose. This led to several chances being created as South looked to claw back the two goal deficit.

Simon Watt, hero from the previous match, looked to have halved the difference with some quick thinking to take an auto pass and lash into the net.

However, it was too quick for the umpire as the goal was disallowed and ordered to be retaken. With two minutes to go, Adam Glass added his second of the game to set up a grandstand finish. With South camped in the Portadown half for the closing stages, it was a case of too little too late.

With South’s passage into the semi-finals already assured, they would rather have a victory over Portadown in the league in two weeks’ time. Before that, South entertain Seasiders Portrush in their first league match of the campaign.