Coleraine look to extend unbeaten run at Portadown

Two teams with contrasting early season form meet at Shamrock Park on Friday night as Portadown host Coleraine.

The Ports have lost all three of their opening matches while the visitors remain unbeaten after winning two and drawing one of their three games.

Portadown are one of three sides yet to bank a point under new manager David Jeffrey, Limavady United and Bangor being the others.

The Bannsiders, meanwhile, could stretch their lead at the top of the table with victory at a venue where they boast an enviable record.

They are unbeaten in their last four visits there - three wins and a draw - and won both their visits last season.

Conversely, it is 188 days since the mid Ulster side last tasted success at home, a 1-0 win over Dungannon Swifts.

Since then, of course, they have undergone a managerial change, with the vastly experienced Jeffrey being coaxed out of retirement to succeed Niall Currie.

The former Linfield and Ballymena United manager is currently experiencing a testing time on his return to the dug-out but opposite number Ruaidhri Higgins is banking on him to succeed sooner rather than later.

"We know that going to Shamrock Park on a Friday night is gonna be a difficult task and we'll need to be on it to win the game," Higgins told Coleraine TV.

"It's only a matter of time before they start picking up points.

"I've got really good respect for David Jeffrey - he's a good man, a really good man.

"He's a legend in Irish League football but, hopefully, come 10pm on Friday we've added three points to our tally because that's what we're going there for - we want to win the game.

"But we'll show the opposition the respect they deserve as well."

Coleraine are expected to be without Joel Cooper for the trip to mid Ulster who picked up an injury during last weekend's 2-0 win at Carrick Rangers.

His likely absence may open the door for high profile summer signing Conor McMenamin to make a first start since arriving from SPL side St. Mirren.

Better news is the anticipated return to the squad of defender Cameron Stewart who is making good progress after sustaining an ankle injury on the opening day of the season.

A win for Coleraine on Friday night would help to open a healthy gap on the teams below them, all of whom play on Saturday, except for Ballymena United and Larne whose game is postponed because of Larne's involvement in Europe.

Fixtures

Friday

Portadown v Coleraine

Saturday

Bangor v Carrick Rangers

Cliftonville v Dungannon Swifts

Glentoran v Crusaders

Limavady Utd v Linfield