North West Cup win for Taylor’s Portstewart

It was a day of mixed fortunes for Portstewart as they met Newtowne in the North West Junior Cup in Limavady.

A brace from Steven O’Neill and two more from Craig Moore secured a place in the next round for Gary Taylor’s side, however the game was marred by an injury to Portstewart’s Ryan Doherty.

The versatile forward was taken to hospital with a suspected leg break after a challenge from a Newtowne player.

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Speaking to Times Sport on Monday, the Ports boss said: “It was a horrendous tackle on Ryan.

“However thankfully things don’t seem to be as bad as we first thought.

“He’s in a full leg cast, it’s to keep his knee immobilised in case there is any ligament damage.

“He’s to have another x ray in a fortnight, so it’s just a wait and see until then.

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“Ryan is one of our key players, he is not only good going forward, but he also defends well, I would say he is one of the best players in the League. His injury is a big loss to us,” admitted the Ports boss.

“I would rather be out of the Cup than be without Ryan, “ he admitted,

Portstewart will meet Paul Owen’s Limavady United in the next round.

Before that they make the trip to Newington this Saturday, in a return to league action.

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“It was good to get a few goals on the board on Saturday, so I am hopeful that will give the boys confidence ahead of Saturday’s tie,” said Taylor.

“Newington have picked up a few good results this season, so we’ll prepare as best we can.”

Portstewart will also be without suspended Lee Forgrave and Matt Hynds for Saturday. Stuart Millar is also out with injury.

“We thought we had a big squad at the start of the season, but we have four key players out - so already our big squad doesn’t seem so big.

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“We didn’t play particularly well on Saturday, but the big difference from previous weeks was that we took our chances in front of goal, so that was pleasing.

“Joel Madison was suspended for Saturday, so Luke Forgrave was in nets for us and he did very well. He pulled off a great save near the end of the game to deny them a third goal, I know he was nervous to make the step up from the Reserves, but we were pleased with his performance.”

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