 Gary Hamilton got Portadown's opening goal against Cliftonville |
Second half goals from Gary Hamilton, Peter McCann and Vinny Arkins earned Portadown a comprehensive win over Cliftonville at Shamrock Park. It was very much normal service resumed for last year's runners-up after the shock of a 2-1 defeat at Institute.
The victory took Ronnie McFall's men into second place in the table, just a point behind Linfield, the team which pipped them to last season's title.
Cliftonville will be desperately disappointed with their performance.
After two wins from three games, this was their biggest test of the season so far but Liam Beckett's side went into the game with a string of injuries and Conor Downey suspended.
They were on level terms at the break but were simply overrun in the second half.
Hamilton got the first with a left-foot shot on 49 minutes and the international striker turned provider five minutes later sending McCann through to beat Reds reserve keeper Emmett Mapp.
McCann crossed for Arkins to head Portadown's third on 72 minutes.
MMIX
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