INTERMEDIATE CUP: Ports crash out of Cup

Gary Taylor's side were defeated 1-0 by Banbridge Rangers in a Cup competition that Taylor won with Portstewart back in the nineties.

The Portstewart boss described the defeat as 'disappointing'.

"We had a few half chances in the first half and to be honest they passed the ball about a bit and put us under pressure for the first ten minutes.

"But, we got ourselves settled and weathered the storm. Tommy Parsons, Stevie Mason and James McLaughlin had chances but they weren't good enough," said Taylor.

A defensive mix up between centre half, Craig Ramsey and keeper Joel Maddison led to the goal and after this the home side shut up shop thwarting any Portstewart efforts.

"We got what we deserved," said Taylor. We had a few chances after

they scored, but to be honest it is difficult to play against a team when they are in their own half.

"They are a couple of leagues below us, and we should have

won. I said after the game that lessons can be learned, our final

ball has to be better."

Taylor said that a few players were off their game on Saturday

and hoped for a change in fortunes when his side return to league action on Saturday.

"We are away to Lurgan Celtic this week. We have a poor record up

there, but I hope the boys will be keen to wipe away the memory

of Saturday and be up for the challenge."