CHAMPIONSHIP: Portadown boss Matthew Tipton out to build on bright start

Matthew Tipton is calling for continued progress from his Portadown players following a positive start last Friday to life as Shamrock Park manager.

Tipton’s first game in charge of the Ports featured an encouraging 1-1 draw with Bluefin Sport Championship league leaders Institute.

Institute took the lead but Portadown regrouped to produce a performance that attracted praise from visiting manager Paddy McLaughlin alongside home fan support.

Now attention turns to the second of four successive home games when Loughgall make the derby journey from village to town tonight.

Portadown hold a three-point lead over Loughgall - with Ballyclare Comrades seven clear of Tipton’s side in the final promotion play-off spot entering the closing six games.

Tipton’s remit as a replacement for Niall Currie may have centred on long-term progress but he admits encouragement at the early signs on show against Institute and continued development in preparation for the final fixtures.

“You hope to see a lift in the first game under a new manager but what we must avoid is a slump after any initial bounce,” said Tipton. “We started out under pressure from an Institute side who came to Shamrock Park as the league leaders.