Euro progress for Linfield and Portadown
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Irish Premiership side Linfield progressed to the next qualifying round of the Champions League after overcoming B36 Torshavn on penalties while in the Europa League, Portadown battled past Shkendija to make the second qualifying round.
Linfield were up against it when they travelled to the Faroe Islands after last week’s first leg stalemate but despite being under some early pressure, the Blues got themselves into the contest and could have gone into the lead as Mark McAllister headed over from a Damien Curran free-kick before Daryl Fordyce saw his shot go just wide.
After a tense second period, the tie went to penalties but Kaemint Matras hit the bar with the first Torshavn penalty, to hand David Jeffrey’s side the early advantage. Jim Ervin, Gary Browne, Michael Carvill and Brian McCaul all scored before Linfield ‘keeper Ross Glendinning saved the last Torshavn spot kick to send the Belfast side through.
They now face AEL Limassol of Cyprus with the first leg on Tuesday 17th July.
In the Europa League, Portadown bounced back from conceding an early goal to defeat Macedonian side Shkendija 2-1 at Shamrock Park.
All of the hard work from the first leg seemed to be undone inside ten minutes as the visitors took the lead. However, Ronnie McFall’s men fought their way back into the game after a nervy start and levelled the tie just before the hour mark when Richard Lecky headed home a Darren Murray cross before the comeback was completed with just ten minutes remaining.
It didn’t seem it was going to be Portadown’s night when they squandered late chances but Ross Redman produced a superb free kick from 35 yards out to send the home fans into raptures and fire the Ports into the next round, 2-1 on aggregate.
Ronnie McFall's men now face Croatian team Slaven Belupo Koprivnica with the first leg taking place on Thursday 19th July.
