Saints singing in the rain
TNS completed their friendly match build-up to the Champions League meetings with Liverpool with a deserved win in Northern Ireland.
The Saints turned monsoon conditions to their advantage with a slick passing display on an excellent, but wet surface, dominating possession from start to finish.
Although both leading scorers were left on the bench, there were few clues to Ken McKenna's Anfield intentions as Nicky Ward led the charge on Portadown's goal and only smart saves from home keeper David Miskelly kept both him and Steven Beck at bay in the first-half.
John Toner's 39th minute effort was ruled out for offside and Ward saw another good effort well-saved just before the break.
Home striker Gary Hamilton sent a good shot just wide on the resumption, but TNS were mostly in control at the back and the introduction of Marc Lloyd Williams and Mike Wilde on the hour made the difference to their attack.
After sending a five-yard header wide from Wilde's cross and seeing another effort just clawed away, Jiws latched on to Barry Hogan's 81st minute through ball to fire past the home keeper from inside the six-yard box.
Gerard Doherty had rarely been troubled but was forced into two smart saves to retain the lead, the first from a Richard Clarke shot and the second a superb stop from a free kick in the final minute.
In between, Lloyd Williams hit a long range effort narrowly over the crossbar. |
