Linfield came from behind to beat Portadown 2-1 at Shamrock Park on Friday night, with Rhys Brennan and Matthew Fitzpatrick on target after Ben Kennedy’s penalty. The win lifts David Healy’s side to the top of the BOYLE Sports Premiership, a point clear of Coleraine, who have a game in hand.
It was a night that asked questions of the Blues, and they found the answers in the second half.
A goalless first half gave little away, with Portadown finishing the opening period strongly in front of the BBC cameras.
The deadlock was broken three minutes after the restart. Chris Shields, making his 200th Linfield appearance, was penalised for bringing down Eamon Fyfe, and referee Tony Clarke pointed to the spot. Ben Kennedy made no mistake to put David Jeffrey’s side ahead in the 48th minute.
Linfield did not stay behind for long. In the 55th minute Isaac Baird slipped a pass through, Fitzpatrick flicked it on and Brennan settled himself before curling a precise right-footed finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. It was a quality goal and a timely response.
Healy turned to his bench soon after, with Jamie Mulgrew and Kirk Millar replacing Shields and Kitt Nelson, and Kobei Moore later coming on for Adam Frizzell.
Portadown kept pushing, and Michael Hewitt flashed a dangerous ball across the face of goal with nobody able to get a touch. At the other end, Aaron McCarey was in good form for the hosts, diving to keep out a Fitzpatrick header from a Millar cross and then denying Moore.
The breakthrough came in the 84th minute. Kyle McClean’s corner from the left evaded everyone, and Fitzpatrick was waiting at the back post to force the ball home and put Linfield in front for the first time.
To Portadown’s credit, they finished strongly. In stoppage time James Teelan headed off target from a Jack Scott corner and Divin Isamala also went close with a header, but the Blues held on.
It was not always comfortable, but this was a win built on resilience. Going a goal down away from home and responding within seven minutes says plenty about this squad, and Fitzpatrick’s persistence, having been denied by McCarey moments earlier, was rewarded.
The result follows Tuesday’s 2-1 win at Larne and makes it back-to-back league victories for Linfield. They now sit on 32 points from 13 games, one ahead of Coleraine, who play Crusaders on Saturday. Portadown remain 11th on eight points.
Key moments: 48 mins Kennedy penalty (Portadown 1-0); 55 mins Brennan (1-1); 84 mins Fitzpatrick (1-2). Half-time: 0-0.
WHAT’S NEXT: Linfield host Dungannon Swifts at Windsor Park in the BOYLE Sports Premiership on Saturday 31 October, kick-off 3pm.
Read more: Larne v Linfield report | Carrick Rangers 2-2 Linfield
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