Portadown striker Aaron Duke has not started regularly for the side this season but after coming from the bench to score and assist in Saturday’s win over Loughgall, he insists: “It’s a squad game.”
The 23-year-old has only been selected from the start for four league games this season – largely due to the form of Adam Salley and Lee Bonis – but has played a key role for the league leaders to date.
“We are doing so well this year because of our squad and the spirit here,” Duke explained to Match On Tuesday.
“On Saturday I came off the bench, scored a goal and then got my assist and we won the points, so you can’t ask for too much more than that.
“The boss has been speaking to me about the situation and I completely understand it, he knows my situation, but he has explained what he expects of me.
“When the team is doing as well as it is at the moment then you just have to accept that they have the shirts at the moment and all I can do is keep working hard.
“Clubs might want to make approaches to take me on loan but Tippy wants to keep me as one of the strikers which I appreciate.
“All I can do is make an impact when I’m on the pitch and pose those questions.”
A former Dundee United professional, Duke’s ability has never been in doubt and, just like the vast majority of Matthew Tipton’s squad, has his best years ahead of him.
“This is a really young squad and we’re growing together,” added the striker.
“Adam Salley and Lee Bonis are both in a similar age bracket to me and the same is true across the squad but a lot of them have lots of experience.
“Liam McKenna has won the Championship with Warrenpoint, Conall McGrandless played for Cliftonville and had success with Warrenpoint, Paddy McNally won the league last year with Larne – and there is more than that.
"There is a real will to win here and there is a great spirit in the dressing room – that is the most important thing.”
Saturday’s win ensured Portadown now have collected 38 points from their last 15 games.
And their points gap to the rest of the top four (Ballinamallard – five points, nine to Loughgall and 14 to Dundela in fourth) is substantial.
“Our football wasn’t great on Saturday and disappointed us a bit,” Duke continued.
“But that is a sign of champions to me – to be grinding out results when we aren’t at our best and picking up three points more.
“If you’d asked any of us at the start of the season if we would take being where we are now with the points cushion we have, then of course we would take it.
“But we want to keep pushing on and building on this because that is what is demanded of you here.
“We are top of the league and we need to keep doing what we’re doing. This is a really important part of the season coming up –our next three games are against teams in the top six and if we can win those, we’ll be in a fantastic position.
“But this is a long, hard season and no doubt there will be lots of twists still to come, so nobody is looking too far ahead.”
Portadown face another big test of their title credentials as they travel to Dundela on Saturday, with a 3pm start at Wilgar Park.
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