PORTADOWN boss Niall Currie admids he is “surprised and delighted” to see his side sitting in joint third place in the Sports Direct Premiership.
The Ports – in their first season back in the top flight – defeated nine-man Cliftonville 2-0 at Shamrock Park thanks to goals by Ryan Mayse and Ahu Obhakhan. Reds Conor Pepper and Jonny Addis saw red.
Currie said: “We are surprised and delighted. We want to stabilise the club. We are a decent side when we are at it.
“We started full on with energy and enthusiasm. We have everything to hurt teams, we have creativity. Credit to all the players.
It’s important we stay honest and stay humble."
Dungannon Swifts are in the dizzy heights of second place after a 1-0 win at Ballymena United, Andrew Mitchell’s late penalty proving decisive.
Swifts boss Rodney McAree said: “We have one of the smallest budgets in the league but we have a good group of players.”
Linfield surged eight points clear at the top with a 3-0 win over Coleraine at Windsor Park. Former Antrim GAA star Matthew Fitzpatrick bagged a double for the Blues. Joel Cooper was also on target.
Fitzpatrick said: “It was one of those days when I got chances and put the ball in the net.”
Carrick Rangers drew 0-0 at home to Loughgall, the east Antrim side missing two penalties.