Ballyclare Comrades continued their pre-season preparations with a challenging test against Premiership side Portadown, ultimately falling to defeat but taking plenty of positives from the performance.

The opening half was a competitive and evenly matched affair, with both sides working hard and creating moments throughout. The Comrades matched their opponents well for long periods and looked organised both in and out of possession. Just as it looked as though the teams would head into the break level, Portadown found the breakthrough with a strong header from a corner with the last kick of the first half to take a narrow lead into the interval.

Portadown added two further goals after the restart, but the scoreline did not reflect the effort and commitment shown by the Comrades. The squad continued to battle throughout the second half, maintaining their intensity and work rate until the final whistle despite coming up against strong opposition.

Most importantly, the fixture provided another valuable step in the team’s pre-season programme. With many players gaining important minutes on the pitch, it was another productive evening as fitness levels continue to improve and preparations for the new campaign gather momentum. The coaching staff will be encouraged by the attitude, application and commitment shown throughout the match, with plenty of positives to build on ahead of the next pre-season fixture.