Originally Posted by pete
Good trip to go on but no big match feel to event.
Ground was very run down, with fans way too far away from the pitch. Floodlights were shockingly poor (didn't seem to look too bad on tv) & must only be used for saturday afternoons as middle of pitch was dark. IMO lack of bulbs & fact they so far from pitch was main problem.
The 100 City fans given new stand behind goal & good bit of atmosphere given we so far from pitch. Don't know how was picked up much on tv. BBC (I presume BBC NI) even came into the stand durring 1st half to interview a few of us.
All the stories of loads of security was a joke & completely unnecessary anyway. Buses had "escort" for last 1/2 mile at most & only about 10 PSNI officers in the ground with couple of local club security guys having a nap in the stand. Programme seller took euro but chipper didn't seem to be too keen on euro although did take them eventually.
Crowd was very low at maybe 1000. Feck all noise from home support. Think his lead to poor team performances.
Arkins & Collins stood out for Portadown. Collins is Robbie Savage type player whereas Arkins faded in 2nd half.
For city Devine had almost nothing to do. Kearney was good even if poor pitch (looking like sloped towards camera) didn't help. In 2nd half city counter attacked well but faded after getting the goal. Brilliant pass from Colin & classy finish from Doyler. Shocking defending from corner for equaliser - tv seemed to show Bennet at fault. We were crying out for couple of subs even before we got the lead goal.
Good trip all round but this whole thing being bused in & out of ground meant we could have been anywhere in the country.
One sour note was golf ball thrown into our stand near end of game. Rumour was that sling used & some discussion whether came from inside (gates already open at this stage) or outside ground.