Glentoran Seconds strengthened their position at the top of the Premiership Development League with a 2–0 victory over Portadown Reserves at Ashfield Boys’ High School on Monday evening.

The Glens started the night on 36 points from 14 games, holding a three-point advantage over Linfield Swifts with one game in hand and possessing the league’s strongest attacking and defensive records.

There were notable inclusions in the Glentoran line-up, with first-team squad member and academy graduate Charlie Lindsay returning to the starting XI.

Cal Weatherup, who was part of the senior squad for Friday’s 1–1 draw with Bangor, was also involved, while the second’s top scorer in the league James McClure again led the attack.

Glentoran made an early breakthrough after 10 minutes, capitalising on their first clear set-piece opportunity. A corner from Ryan Bailie was met by James McClure, who reacted quickest to steer a half-volley into the net for his latest league goal.

The lead was extended ten minutes later. Another Bailie delivery, this time a free-kick from the right, reached captain Ciaran Rogers-Duffy, who directed a header beyond the Portadown goalkeeper to make it 2–0.

Portadown created significant chances before the interval, forcing Milo Beimers into a series of decisive saves to ensure Glentoran Seconds went into half-time with a 2–0 advantage.

The game settled into a more controlled pattern after the break, with Portadown enjoying spells of possession and testing the Glentoran defence. Milo Beimers produced further saves to maintain the two-goal cushion and secure all three points for the Glens.

Glentoran Seconds are next in action on Monday 8 December when they host Linfield Swifts in a top-of-the-table fixture at Ashfield Boys’ High School.

Full-Time: Glentoran Seconds 2–0 Portadown Reserves

Starting XI: Beimers (GK), Bell, Drennan, Rogers-Duffy (C), McCann, Faloona, Bailie, Lindsay, McClure, Johnson, Beatty.

Substitutes: O’Neill, Hardy, Grummit, Magowan, Ayr