EARLY GOAL HANDS PORTS MID-ULSTER HONOURS
Portadown claimed Mid-Ulster derby honours with a narrow defeat of Glenavon at Shamrock Park.
The visitors kicked off their first game under new boss Paddy McLaughlin in determined fashion, forcing keeper Aaron McCarey into a fingertip save to keep out James Doona's effort from outside the box.
However it was Portadown that seized the early advantage when, on six minutes, Ahu Obhakhan grabbed what proved to be the only goal of the game after meeting Eamon Fyfe's flick from the edge of box to fire low into the bottom left corner.
Doona might have levelled soon after but could only fire wide despite having space in the box while a later David McDaid attempt also failed to stay on target.
Glenavon came close again early in the second half when Calum Birney's header from Keith Ward's corner looked goalbound only to be kept out by McCarey.
At the other end Ben Wylie blasted wide from a Ryan Mayse delivery at the back post while, late in the game, James Carroll did have the ball in the net for the visitors only for the effort to be ruled out offside.
Substitution 
Substitution 
