Today at the Oval, in front of desperate weather conditions of wind and rain, a large crowd of 3-4000 turned out to see if the Champions could keep their record in tact, before today the Glens were unbeaten at home in their last 8 games at the Oval and indeed to keep up the race for an Uefa Cup place they did that but only just.  In the 3rd minute Rory Hamill fired a right foot shot across the goalmouth and Elliott only had to get a touch but he fired wide from all of 3 yards, 2 minutes later Elliott lost his marker Brown again but his header was just over the bar, and on 7 minutes Ian Gilzean was the next to miss a sitter this time Elliott the provider and Gilzean threw himself at the ball but his knee shot went wide. The visitors decided to join in on the shots, and Larkin did very well to get past Kennedy but with only Gough to beat he fired just over with a bolting left foot drive.  Then Arkins headed wide from a Sheridan cross.  Elliott was the threat again, making Kenny Brown's debut a nightmare twisting and turning, he layed the ball off to the advancing Kennedy but his timid shot was easily stopped by Dalton down low.  Rory Hamill then sprinted past Strain and with the goal beckoning he delayed his shot and was blocked for a corner, the Ports then lost starlet Richard Clarke when he shot inches wide when it looked easier to score and the tackle from Colin Nixon left Clarke on the floor clutching his ankle, who managed to come on again after treatment but shortly after had to withdraw from the game.

The Glens never let Portadown rest in the final 15 minutes with superb Portadown defending preventing the Champions from getting their well deserved goal.  Gilzean then thought he had scored with his headed but some how Rory Gallagher managed to scoop the ball off the line, so close!  Then enter Zico Elliott, Kennedy threw the ball to him from the throw in and Elliott turned quickly to fire in a deep cross to the far post but the gusts of wind caught the ball and proceeded to loop over Daltons head and left the keeper sprawled in the back of the net while Elliott celebrated his 11th goal in 10 games and his 18th of the season.  No doubt the Glens had deserved the win, but they should have won far more handsomely than this

Final Score Glentoran 1 Portadown 0