NIALL Currie declared himself “so proud” after his Portadown side had produced the result of the day in the Sports Direct Premiership - a 3-0 victory over Crusaders at Seaview.
The visitors took the lead on 29 minutes through Ryan Mayse, extended their advantage on 69 minutes with a Ahu Obhakhan goal following a Shay McCartan assist and wrapped up the victory with a 76th minute effort from Lewis MacKinnon.
Portadown are back in the top flight thanks to last season’s Playr-Fit Championship title success and Currie is delighted that his team - one of the league’s part-time outfits - are now up to seventh.
He said: “We were very good. Seaview is a difficult place to come to and I haven’t left here too often with a smile on my face over the years.
“We were worthy winners - one of the best performances I’ve been involved in. It’s as good as it gets for a manager.”
On his club’s part-time status in a league that is going increasingly down the professional route, Currie added: “The boys have an honesty about them. We only train for an hour and a half on a Tuesday night and an hour and a half on a Thursday night but our fitness levels are right up there. The lads do runs on a Wednesday night for their general fitness.”
The Ports next Saturday host bang-in-form Ballymena United, who made it five league wins in a row with a 3-2 success against Cliftonville at the Showgrounds.
Currie said: “Ballymena have signed some very good experienced players. They are a very strong side.”
Saturday’s victory moved Ballymena up to second, two points behind leaders Linfield, who have played a game less, the Blues leaving it until the seventh minute of injury time to make the breakthrough against basement side Carrick Rangers at Windsor Park, Kirk Millar doing the damage with a free kick.
Glenavon drew 1-1 draw with Dungannon Swifts at Mourneview Park, while Coleraine were 2-0 home winners over Loughgall, who go to Larne on Tuesday night.
The champions beat Glentoran 2-0 at Inver Park under the Friday night lights and are nine points behind Linfield but with three matches in hand due to their European commitments.