BANNSIDERS HIT THREE AT SHAMROCK PARK
Coleraine picked up a first win of the new campaign with a sweeping victory over Portadown at Shamrock Park.
The Bannsiders moved in front after just eight minutes. They were awarded a penalty after Greg Hall was alleged to have handled the ball, and whilst Ben Doherty saw his spot-kick saved he made no mistake with the rebound.
The visitors pressed to extend their advantage as the game progressed with James McLaughlin twice having efforts on goal while George Tipton was later well placed to knock a corner off the line, followed by a Paddy McNally clearance later in the half.
It was perhaps no surprise, then, that Coleraine did double their advantage early in the second half when Jamie Glackin pounced to score from close range.
Portadown's hopes of salvaging something from the game were dealt a blow just after the hour when Lee Bonis was shown a yellow card for a late tackle, his second caution of the game.
Stewart Nixon then had a couple of chances to put the game beyond any doubt. He rattled the crossbar from distance on 66 minutes and then had a low drilled shot cleared off the line by Paul Finnegan.
The Ports did come close after that when Tipton's effort was tipped away by Gareth Deane and Conall McGrandles' header from the subsequent corner was clawed away.
Coleraine's third came on 89 minutes, McLaughlin finding the net with a low drive following Josh Carson's run down the left wing.
Stephen Murray almost grabbed a stoppage time consolation for Portadown only to see his shot rattle the crossbar after he turned in the box to create the opening.
Portadown: Pierce, Hall, Finnegan, Lavery, Tipton, Bonis, Murray, Burns, McNally, Teggart, Kerr subs Pengelly (not used), Crane (not used), McCallum (not used), McGrandles (replaced Teggart 21), Croskery (not used), Conaty (replaced Kerr 74), Glenfield (replaced Lavery 87)
Coleraine: Deane, Kane, Doherty, Lowry, McLaughlin, Carson, McConaghie, Tweed, O'Donnell, Glackin, Nixon subs Gallagher (not used), Douglas (not used), Wilson (replaced Glackin 88), Allen (replaced Nixon 84), Riley (not used), Tosh (not used), McLean (not used)
Substitution 
Substitution 
