A DREAM FOR MATT, BUT MARE FOR GARY

PORTADOWN boss Matthew Tipton admitted his team had a ‘dream’ return to the Danske Bank Premiership after their Mid-ulster derby win against Glenavon at Mourneview Park.

Striker Stephen Murray bagged a deadly double before Lee Bonis and new signing Aaron Burns struck for the Ports.

Shell-shocked Glenavon hit back with goals from Peter Campbell and James Singleton, but Gary Hamilton’s boys, missing a number of first team regulars, never appeared capable of salvaging the situation.

“It was a dream start for us,” said a beaming Tipton (above) afterwards. “We came here with a game plan and the boys executed it perfectly.

“Ha “Having just been pro promoted, we are n not expected to win a lot of games, but I love proving people wrong.

“I’m just a lit little bit disa disappointed our fans we were not here to see the game. They have stuck with us during our days in the Championship, so I’m delighted we were able to get a result for them on our return to the top-flight.”

Glenavon boss Hamilton (inset) admitted his team paid the ultimate price for a number of defensive lapses.

“There wasn’t going to be any other outcome the way we defended,” said an exasperated Hamilton.

“In my opinion it was schoolboy defending. Portadown played two balls into the channel in the first half – their only two chances and they scored from both.

“We played with a not more energy after the restart and, fair play to the boys, got ourselves back into it when Peter scores.

“But they (Portadown) go down the pitch, get a ball into the box and their player (Bonis) is hungrier to get on the end of it and finishes us off. I’m so disappointed, especially as it was a derby game.”