Darren Stuart hits hat-trick as Newington damage Portadown’s promotion hopes

Portadown 0 Newington 4

Newington recorded an easy 4-0 win at Shamrock Park

Portadown’s promotion bid suffered another blow with a disappointing 4-0 defeat to Newington at Shamrock Park.

Portadown were held to a 2-2 draw with Ballyclare Comardes on Friday night and they found Newington too hot to handle.

Darren Stuart’s quickfire first half brace rocked the Ports and even though manager Niall Currie brought Mark Russell, Ciaran Dobbin and Gary Thompson on at the break, the tide didn’t turn.

Ruaidhri Donnelly, on loan from Glentoran, scored the third in the 71st minute and then Stuart completed his hat-trick on 75 minutes.

The last time the two clubs met was back in November with the Ports running out 5-1 winners at Shamrock Park but it was a very different outcome this time.

The BetMcLean Cup finalists’ three game winless run will be a concern to Currie.

Clubs at the top end of the Championship are still coming to terms with the news that leaders Dundela will not be applying for a promotion licence to the Premiership for next season.

The football authorities have informed the Duns there is no scope for allowances to be made over the size of their Wilgar Park pitch, which does not meet top flight regulations.

The east Belfast outfit are five points clear at the top of the table. The winners of the Championship are normally automatically promoted with the runners-up involved in a two legged Play-Off against the 11th placed team in the Premiership.

In the Playr-Fit Premier Intermediate League, Lisburn Distillery won 4-3 at Rathfriland Rangers while Moyola Park triumphed 3-1 at Dollingstown. Armagh City sealed a 3-2 win over Ballymacash Rangers.