Lacklustre Stute blown away by Ports’ goal blitz

The score-line didn’t flatter the visitors who in truth never got out of second gear after they cruised into a 3-0 advantage after just 17 minutes. ’Stute produced their worst display of the season and that was summed up as they didn’t have one single shot that troubled Portadown goalkeeper David Miskelly, throughout the 90 minutes. To his credit after the game boss Paul Kee was bitterly disappointed by his team’s display and conceded that at times it was a case of men against boys, as Ronnie McFall’s out-fit showed why they are going to be serious title contenders this campaign. Institute for the third game in a row stuck with the same side, however they fell a goal behind after just four minutes. A Ross Redman right wing corner found Gary Breen, his downward header was cleared off the line by Declan McKeever, but Tim Mouncey was on hand to head home from close range. Moments later the visitors added a second in sublime fashion when Peter McMahon made no mistake blasting home with his left foot from some 25 yards, after McKeever’s initial clearing header from Redman’s corner, fell to the midfielder. McMahon added a third on 17 minutes this time he latched onto Sean Mackle’s defence splitting pass, before side footing home past ’Stute keeper Eugene Ferry. Institute’s one and only half chance throughout the match came on 38 minutes but Stephen O’Flynn’s header from McKeever’s cross was easily cleared by Ports skipper Keith O’Hara. Portadown netted a fourth on 47 minutes when the always alert Gary Twigg was on hand to turn the ball home from close range, after Chris Casement’s right wing cross had created the chance. After Twigg’s goal the Mid-Ulster men really did take their foot of the gas but still ran out comfortable winners, in fact in the closing stages substitute Shea Conaty went close to adding a fifth, but his shot was kept out by Ferry. Institute: Ferry, McLaughlin, Scoltock (O’Donnell 70), Crown; Curry, McManus, Walsh, McBride (Burke 61), McKeever; Hume (Armstrong 61), O’Flynn. Portadown: Miskelly, Casement, Redman, O’Hara, Breen (Ramsey 32), McMahon, Mackle, McAllister (Murray 72), Mouncey, Gault, Twigg (Conaty 77). Referee: Mr Robert Crangle (Belfast).