Joel Cooper hits the top corner with a wonderful strike to give the Bannsiders the lead at the Showgrounds.

Approaching half an hour gone at Ballycastle Road where the hosts are in a commanding position thanks to Joel Cooper's spectacular finish from the edge of the penalty area.

Finn Flanagan takes the place of the injured Gary Thompson for Portadown.

Gary Thompson is now up on his feet and being helped towards the dressing rooms amid an ovation from both sets of fans.

There's some concern here for Gary Thompson who lands awkwardly following an aerial challenge.

Players from both sides immediately signal for medical attention and the Portadown skipper continues to receive treatment inside the Larne penalty area.

Paul Leeman
Former Glentoran captain on BBC Sport NI

What a goal from Joel Cooper. He looks to curl it into the top corner and he gives Andrew Mills no chance. It's a fantastic goal.

Aaron Donnelly cuts in from the left and lays the ball across the edge of the Portadown penalty area but the in-rushing Conor McKendry can only sweep his first-time shot narrowly over the crossbar.

The first flashpoint of the evening as Portadown skipper Gary Thompson catches James Simpson with a late tackle in the middle of the pitch, prompting a melee between players from both sides.

When the dust eventually settles, referee Louise Thompson issues yellow cards to Thompson, Larne's Conor McKendry and Portadown's Baris Altintop.

The opening 15 minutes have whizzed by as both teams seek that elusive opening.

Image source, PACEMAKER

Paul Leeman
Former Glentoran captain on BBC Sport NI

Pat Hoban has been a big miss through injury and hopefully he can get a few minutes tonight. Glentoran fans will be happy to see him back.

Eamon Fyfe lines up a free kick from 25 yards in a dangerous position for Portadown but the striker slips as he makes contact with the ball and the shot lacks the necessary power to trouble Rohan Ferguson.

Aaron McCarey carefully plucks a James Simpson cross out of the air but is immediately clattered by an unintentional, unavoidable collision with Matt Ridley.

The Portadown keeper requires a spot of treatment but is able to continue.

A chance for Coleraine from a dead ball after Joel Cooper is upended on the edfe of the Glentoran penalty area.

Levi Ives, who scored from an almost identical position the last time the teams met here on the final day of last season, slams his free-kick straight into the wall.

After that bright start from Glentoran, Coleraine have begun to exert themselves on this game, knocking the ball about nicely.

Still no effort on goal from either side, though.

Portadown have only scored two goals in the first half of league games so far this season.

Can David Jeffrey’s men strike early this evening?

Image source, Press Eye

Paul Leeman
Former Glentoran captain on BBC Sport NI

Duncan has been a breath of fresh air in the league and he's a real character. He has great pedigree and Glentoran will hope that experience and leadership can help them.

Perhaps surprisingly, Larne’s recent run of just one point from their last three home games isn’t their worst spell on their own turf in recent seasons.

Between the start of February and mid-March, 2025, the Inver Reds lost two and drew three league games during their unsuccessful defence of the Premiership title.

Larne boss Gary Haveron will certainly be hoping that lightning doesn’t strike twice in that respect.

A brisk opening an Inver Park where Dan Bent had to head away a James Teelan cross at full stretch.

Straight away at the other end Chris Gallagher's shot for Larne is well cleared by Matty Carson while Matt Ridley's header from a corner is held by Aaron McCarey.

All this inside the opening couple of minutes!

It's a bright start from the visitors who are dominating possession.