Away Glee!

During Roy Walker's reign at the Showgrounds we didn't have of a good home record, in fact we didn't have a home record, we were abysmal at home. But we did enjoy a modicum of success on our travels and tomorrows away match at Portadown could provide a springboard for getting our season on track once again. The last time we tasted victory was in mid-January over the Glens at the Oval and we at 'Sport reckon it's about time we tasted it yet again. The last time we were at the 'lost city' of Craigavon, we suffered at the hands of Portadown biggest rivals, Glenavon, by a scoreline we want to forget, but maybe that can work in our favour. Portadown manager Ronnie McFall will no doubt try to play down any complacency in his side, but human nature being what it is, the home team will think we are easy meat.

Matches between our two teams tend to be close affairs and it'll be no different tomorrow and if we can cut out the supply to the Ports danger-man, Kevin Braniff, we can stand a chance. Last time the teams met at the Showgrounds in December, Spike earmarked Chrissy Rodgers to man-mark Braniff. In the first half this worked a treat, but in the 2nd half the wily Kevin slipped Chrissy two times and it led to two goals for the visitors, proving he is a player who can hurt defences. Sky Blue Sport reckon Spike has learned his lesson and will not man-mark Braniff tomorrow, but rather try to cut out the supply to him, which we think is a better ploy. We have tried all day to ascertain team news, but to no avail, but assume Dwayne has made a recovery from his injury and will be between the sticks tomorrow.

If he hasn't made a recovery, Stuarty Addis will take his place, but Mark McCullagh looks doubtful and if he is not available Spike has some contenders for his place. He could recall Chrissy at rightback where he has played before or incorporate Vaulsey like he did in a few matches at the start of the season, or go with Tony Kane and promote Gavin Taggart from the bench to midfield. In the absence of the suspended Cush, we would like to see him start Peter Duffin as he looked good when he came on last week against the Glens. If Shane Dolan's groin is still troubling him we don't expect him to be risked and Liggie could be asked to lead the line again as a lone striker. That would leave Spike with only one decision to make, Jenks or Thommo?

They're both the same type of players, good at going forward, not much on tackling and we think it be too big a risk to play the two of them tomorrow. But Spike could have other ideas, or he may elect to play Alan D in midfield or be bold and play Jimmy Mac up front alongside Liggie. We got away with a scoreless draw last Saturday, by playing defensively and trying to hit on the break, but with the firepower Ports have at their disposal, with Braniff, Twigg and Murray, we figure that won't do tomorrow and we'll need another string to our bow if we are to get a result. Portadown has an outside chance of reaching the top six, but we figure they need to win their next three games, if we can halt them tomorrow, it could just kick-start the rest of our season, come on Sky Blues, let's shag those apple pickers