CHAMPIONSHIP TWO: Ports knock the fizz out of Coagh!

Gary Taylor’s side had been struggling away from home with disappointing defeats at Chimney Corner and Sport and Leisure in recent weeks.

But they seemed to diminish the bad form on Saturday with a win Coagh.

James Peden’s 70th minutes penalty was enough to separate the sides and the Portstewart boss was delighted.

“Coagh always have a very strong side.

“They are sitting third in the League so we were delighted to get the three points.

“We really deserved the win.

“We had a shaky opening, but after that the lads found their feet and we dominated play.”

Tommy Parson forced Coagh’s keeper into a number of saves early in the half and Ian Todd made his presence known, but the deadlock wasn’t broken until the 73rd minute when Parson was brought down in the box. James Peden slotted home from the spot to give the visitors the lead.

“I have to give Steven Tosh, Mervyn Nicholl and Hugh McAllister credit, they are the spine of our team, and we notice a big difference when they are all on the field. Tommy Parson also had a great game. He’s been sub now for the past few seasons, but he’s waited his turn to get into the team and he’s performing really well.”

Portstewart face another tough test this week against second place Warrenpoint Town.

The border side remain unbeaten this season: “We have home advantage which always helps, “ said Taylor. “ They are the team to beat in our league and I have no doubt that we will give them a good run for their money.”

Portstewart will be without influential forward Ian Todd for the tie: “ Toddy is out now for the next two weeks through a suspension, “ admitted Taylor. “He will miss the Warrenpoint game and the Tobermore game. Unfortunately we will be hit by a lot of suspensions now in the coming weeks as we’ve had a few players sent off.”

Portstewart’s game with Warrenpoint Town has a 3.00pm kick this Saturday.