Crues looking to defend four-point lead while Ports closing gap at the bottom

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Portadown began the season on -12 points and have narrowed their deficit to -6

Legendary Irish League manager Roy Coyle will be back in charge of Glentoran for Saturday's Premiership game against Ards in Bangor.

The former Glens boss and now the club's director of football has taken over on a caretaker basis following Alan Kernaghan's resignation last week.

Coyle's opposite number Niall Currie goes into the game on a high after being named manager of the month for August. His North Down side are third in the table in the wake of last week's agonising, last-gasp 1-0 defeat to pacesetters Crusaders.

The win gave the Crues a four-point cushion at the top and they are back in action on Saturday with a home game against in-form Dungannon.

Swifts manager Rodney McAree moved to strengthen his squad this week by signing former Portadown winger Peter McMahon.

After their 4-0 home win against Carrick Rangers, Pat McGibbon takes the Ports to Windsor Park this week. 

It's a chance for McGibbon to renew old acquaintances with his former Manchester United and Wigan Athletic clubmates David Healy and Roy Carroll, manager and goalkeeper respectively with the Blues.



Also on Saturday, second-placed Glenavon host Ballinamallard, who have managed just a single point in their six games so far.

It's seventh against eighth at the Ballymena Showgrounds with the Sky Blues hosting Cliftonville.

Meanwhile, Carrick will be hoping to stop the rot when they travel to Coleraine. 

So as another Saturday afternoon beckons, champions Crusaders already look menacing.

And it's getting interesting at the bottom...

Portadown started the season on minus 12 points due to IFA disciplinary action but it's now down to minus six and they are slowly but surely closing the gap on teams above them - cause for concern for Carrick and the Mallards.

Danske Bank Premiership – Saturday 10 September, 3pm

Ards  v  Glentoran

Ballymena United  v  Cliftonville

Coleraine  v  Carrick Rangers

Crusaders  v  Dungannon Swifts

Glenavon  v  Ballinamallard United

Linfield  v  Portadown 

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