PORTADOWN 0 CITY 1
Friendly
21st January 1992
Attendance 6,000
Scorer White(6)
Ref Jim Duffy
City Coton, Hill, Brightwell, Quigley, Curle, Redmond, White, McMahon, Sheron, Megson, Hughes
Portadown Major, McKeever, Sinclair, Strain, Stewart, Murray, Russell, Surgeon, Casey, Campbell – Used Sub Casey
FROM THE PRESS BOX
BRIAN MILLAR WRITING IN THE ULSTER NEWS LETTER 22ND JANUARY 1992
Manchester City’s multi-million pound team cantered to an easy 1-0 win over Portadown before a bumper crowd at Shamrock Park last night. The game was delayed 15 minutes to let the 6,000 fans into the ground to see the English kingpins.
The Irish League Champions battled bravely, but the experience of Steve McMahon, Gary Megson and the sizzling pace of David White proved too much.
White scored the only goal of the game, but the England Under-21 international could have had a hat-trick and was a constant thorn in the side of the Portadown defence.
Portadown paraded new-signing Duncan Campbell, but it was a tough baptism for the on-loan Dundee player, who struggled to get into the match.
The visitors went one up after only six minutes. Raith Rover’s midfielder David Sinclair’s misplaced back pass landed straight at the feet of White The powerful striker raced clear and made no mistake slipping the ball through Mickey Keenan’s legs.
Little was seen of the Portadown attack, but Martin Russell brought the crowd to its feet with a curling free kick which had Tony Coton in the City goal scrambling to cover as the ball skimmed past his upright.
White drilled a dangerous ball across Keenan’s goalmouth, but the ball was scrambled clear as the Irish League Champions fought a rearguard action.
City’s raiding full-backs Hill and Brightwell caused constant problems. From a hill cross, City’s impressive young striker Michael Sheron, playing in place of the suspended Niall Quinn, forced Keenan to save well with his legs from six yards.
Portadown were unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty after 26 minutes. Campbell appeared to be flattened in the Box by Brightwell, but referee Jim Duffy waved play on.
Portadown’s first shot on target didn’t arrive until the 39th minute, Peter Murray’s effort almost embarrassing Coton low at his post.
White had a super chance to make it 2-0 just on half time after being put clear again. But his first touch deserted him and Keenan managed to save.
Portadown manager Ronnie McFall took off Robert Casey after 55 minutes, bringing a cheer from the crowd by putting on favourite 17-goal striker Stevie Cowan.
The Irish League Champions increased their effort after the break and had their best spell of the game pinning City in their own half for a 10 minute period. But Steve Redmond and £2M Keith Curle were a tower of strength at the heart of the City defence.
City should have made it 2-0 in the dying minutes, Alfie Stewart’s back pass letting in White, but his shot was cleared off the line by McKeever.