Ports boss defends his players as they remain rooted to the bottom

Out of six games so far this season, the Seasiders have only managed to claim one point, and are stuck to the bottom of the Championship Two table.

On Saturday they sampled another defeat, this time at home to Ian Todd’s Coagh United. The mid ulster side came away with a 2-0 win, not the score line the Ports boss had hoped for.

“We had our fifth sending off in six matches. It’s hard enough competing with eleven men, but when you are battling with ten it’s even worse,” said the Ports boss.

“Our discipline is poor, Ryan Campbell was sent off for kicking out on Saturday, I can’t say that any of the sendings off have been a bad decision by the referee, the players have given the officials no choice, and I know it’s down to frustration.

“I know that my players are willing to fight. There was some talk on social media over the weekend that players weren’t giving 100 percent, but hand on heart I can say that’s not the case.

“We showed that we can battle from Saturday’s second half performance. We have got ourselves into a rut, and it’s easy for people to criticise, but my players will turn it around.”

The focus this week will be towards Saturday’s league tie with Glebe Rangers at the Riada Stadium.

“They are a strong physical team,” admitted Taylor.

“But every game is a battle when you are sitting at the bottom. I will be calling on my players to step up to the challenge, we are all in this together. Luke Bradley was outstanding on Saturday. When we went down to ten men we went three at the back and we looked very strong, but I want my creative players to be a bit more creative, we are not causing teams a threat,” admitted Taylor.

“I have been forced to make changes every week due to suspensions, and it’s the same again this week.

“We will sit down this week and have a good talk about things. We are missing James Peden, who will be out for the rest of the year and Ryan Doherty, who will be out for another month, but we have players like Paddy Gault in our Reserves who are improving week on week.

“We are causing our own problems, and it’s easy for people to stand on the side lines and criticise, believe me the players are hurting as much as me,” admitted the Portstewart boss.

Meanwhile Portstewart Res were defeated 3-2 by Glebe Res in the CD League.