Vauxhall Masterfit Welsh Premier	- Tuesday, March 14th

CPD Porthmadog ... 3	Carmarthen Town ... 0
Carl Owen 15, 45
Jason Sadler 83

Porthmadog found the form which had deserted them in recent weeks to record
a comfortable victory over Carmarthen another team whose season has been
equally inconsistent. The home side with Friel playing in a more advanced
role in midfield and Danny Hughes occupying the anchor position looked far
better balanced as they took the game to their opponents. They could have
gone ahead after 11 minutes when keeper Rob Thomas failed to hold a typical
Les Davies blaster but neither Carl Owen nor Gareth Caughter was able to
complete the job. We did not have to wait long for the Porthmadog opener
however as four minutes later Jason Saddler's cross from the left was
touched on by Gareth Caughter for Carl Owen to shoot low past Thomas from 12
yards. 

Carmarthen attempted to strike back straight away but Wayne Jones's curling
shot past narrowly outside the angle of post and crossbar. But the home side
continued to look the more threatening and Thomas had to pull off a good
save to keep out Webber following a Foster free-kick. Jason Sadler came
close but Thomas foiled his attempt to lob over him into the empty net.
Probing runs by Caughter and Les Davies kept the visitors defence at full
stretch and just on half-time one of these runs bore fruit when Davies burst
down the right and Carl Owen got on the end of a cut back to the near post
and flicked the ball past Thomas to give the home side a deserved two goal
advantage at the interval.

Carmarthen showed more determination after the break as they looked for the
goal which would bring them back into the game. They had a rare opportunity
after 56 minutes when a defensive muddle allowed Sacha Walters clear in the
box but Harvey pulled off a fine save to deny him. John Gwynfor then
suffered a nasty injury in a clash of heads which brought on Geraint
Mitchell. Play had become rather scrappy as Carmarthen were unable to create
any real chances and the home defence were never seriously troubled. Once
again Porthmadog looked the more likely to score. Les Davies came close
when, after being put through by Gareth Caughter, he let fly from 20 yards
but was unlucky to see his shot thunder against the upright. Then a Carl
Owen volley was kept out by a keeper who knew very little about the shot.
But the third goal had to come and a good build up involving Carl Owen and
Les Davies ended with Davies supplying Sadler whose low shot found the
corner of the net. 

With the result now settled Carmarthen's best effort on goal came from Craig
Lima's 85' header which struck the bar and Mike Foster was glad to head the
rebound back over the goal for a corner to ensure a clean sheet. It was all
now too late as Porthmadog gained a valuable three points in the push for
Premier Cup qualification. The anticipated three games in a week will not
now however take place as Carmarthen have called off the return fixture
fixed for next Sunday. Connah's Quay are the next opponents and this result
and performance will provide the team with a much needed confidence booster.

Porthmadog: Richard Harvey: John G Jones (Geraint Mitchell 70'), Lee Webber,
Rhys Roberts, Mike Foster: Gareth Caughter, Paul Friel, Danny Hughes, Les
Davies: Carl Owen (Iwan Thomas 87') Jason Saddler (Curt Williams 84')

Subs not used: Ywain Gwynedd, Iwan Williams.

Carmarthen: Rob Thomas, Hardy, Wayne Jones, Giles, Kevin Evans, Fleming,
Walters, Loss, Kaid Mohammed(James Fleig 84'), Steffan Hughes (Danny Thomas
67'), Craig Lima.

Sub not used: Scott Morris. 

No cards for either side.

Attendance: 139

Gareth Williams.



Vauxhall Masterfit, Welsh Premier	-Saturday, March 11th

CPD Porthmadog ... 1	Newtown ... 1
Les Davies 27	Danny Barton 88

Danny Barton's 88th minute header salvaged a point for Newtown in a game
which Porthmadog should have had sewn up by half-time. No doubt the visitors
were the happier of the two teams at the end with a valuable point secured
in a mid-table game with Premier Cup places at stake.

Porthmadog were first out of the blocks and it appeared as though a week off
had refreshed them. They maintained their domination throughout the opening
half and a single goal advantage at the interval was scant reward for the
all out attacking which had the visitors defence at full stretch. The one
goal that came was a true quality effort which showed Les Davies at his
best. He won the ball near the half way line before using his pace to split
open the Newtown defence and then from 18 yards drove a powerful low shot
past Rowley. For the next hour it appeared that this goal would be enough to
secure the three points but it need not have been the case as Mike Foster
and Danny Hughes opened up the visitors defence with a series of through
passes for Les Davies and Carl Owen to run onto. This duo was in top form
and it is a mystery how the Newtown defence held out.

In the opening 15 minutes Ywain Gwynedd shot over the bar Jason Sadler shot
wide and then saw a header fly the wrong side of the upright. After
Porthmadog's goal Carl Owen came close when he cut past Allen on the edge of
the box but a diving Rowley saved at his near post. Friel shot just over the
bar after good work by Sadler. Newtown on the other hand had rarely
threatened apart from once when Harvey dashed out to foil Lewis and when
Lewis again screwed his shot well wide after good work on the left by
Barton.   

Newtown after a half-time rollicking began to make more progress in the home
half and they were aided in this by Porthmadog's rather tentative display in
contrast to their earlier attacking play. They defended deeply inviting the
visitors to push forward instead of consolidating and looking for a second
goal. But three points for the home side still looked the more likely
outcome as Newtown squandered opportunities and Richard Harvey pulled off
several good saves. But a couple of useful corners by Daniels had the
warning bells ringing and with only two minutes left his corner to the far
post found Barton and the Newtown dangerman cleanly headed past Harvey.

Porthmadog had not been without their chances with Les Davies and Carl Owen
opening up the defence with dangerous probing runs but there was no one to
apply the finishing touch though Rowley did well to keep out Iwan Thomas's
low shot. Once the ball bounced around in the box for what appeared an age
but it was finally cleared by a defender's boot. As they threw bodies
forward after Newtown's equaliser the home side showed what might have been
when Gareth Caughter saw a cracking, added time, shot brilliantly touched
onto the bar by Rowley.

Newtown will feel that their persistence deserved a share of the spoils
while Porthmadog, on their own ground, will be very disappointed to see two
points evaporate in the closing minutes of the game.

Porthmadog: Richard Harvey, John G Jones, Lee Webber, Rhys Roberts, Mike
Foster: Ywain Gwynedd (Iwan Thomas 73'), Danny Hughes, Paul Friel (Geraint
Mitchell 90'), Les Davies: Carl Owen, Jason Sadler (Gareth Caughter 60')
Yellow: Mike Foster 68'

Newtwon: Rowley, Craig Williams (Pickup 88'), Daniels, Glen Evans
(Desmoreaux 46'), Allen, Moody, Gareth Hughes, Hooley, Matthew Lewis,
Barton, Watkins.
Sub not used: Giles.

Yellow: Desmoreaux 76', Daniels 26'.

Attendance 166

Gareth Williams


    

Vauxhall Masterfit Welsh Premier	-Saturday February 25th

CPD Porthmadog ... 1	Haverfordwest County ... 4
Carl Owen 45		Richard Adams 33,64, 76.
				Tim Hicks 83

Porthmadog slumped to their third consecutive defeat against a Haverfordwest
side that extended their undefeated run to seven games. A strong wind
blowing from end to end seemed set to have an important influence on the
game. Porthmadog had it at their backs in the opening half and relied on
long balls for Carl Owen to chase. This did not prove enough against an
excellent Haverfordwast rearguard. In fact despite the wind it needed a goal
on the stroke of half time to bring the home side back on level terms. Owen
reacted, when a Les Davies shot was initially blocked, to hammer past
Kendall into the roof of the net. 

Despite the wind it was the visitors who had gone ahead with a rare first
half attack after 33 minutes. Wyn Thomas lobbed a ball against the bar from
the edge of the area and Richard Adams was first to react at the far post to
beat Harvey from close range. Porthmadog who had controlled much of the game
in the opening period failed to take full advantage of the strong wind. Les
Davies forced Kendall into make a good early save at the expense of a corner
and Carl Owen struck the post. But despite a series of dangerous corners the
home side failed to capitalise. After the visitors' opening goal Ywain
Gwynedd fired low to test Kendall and Webber headed over when Foster found
him with a more than useful free kick.

Though the wind was less strong during the second period it was the
visitors' turn to dominate. Adams came close at the near post when Hudgell
crossed from the left. The same player then took advantage of Wyn Thomas's
long cross from the right capitalising on poor defending and this time
squeezing his header in at the far post. Porthmadog tried to strike back
immediately but a good build up involving Les Davies and Iwan Thomas ended
with Thomas's shot flying over the bar.

Two further goals in the final 14 minutes made the game safe for the
visitors. After 76 minutes Hicks broke into the box and supplied Adams on
the left where the forward found enough space to beat Harvey and complete
his hat trick. It was game over now and poor defensive work six minutes
later gave Haverfordwest their fourth goal. Hicks took full advantage
winning the ball in a central position and bursting through the home defence
to drive low past Harvey.

The game reflected the varying fortunes of the two sides since they last met
in the autumn when Porthmadog gained a point at the Bridge Meadow. County
have moved up the table convincingly and for the third consecutive season
have gone away from the Traeth with all three points.

Porthmadog now have three further home matches in succession -against
Llanelli, Newtown and Carmarthen. These are difficult games one against a
team of professionals and another against a Carmarthen side which has been
strengthened with a couple of signings this week. Suddenly Porthmadog are
slipping again in a season where they are producing some very inconsistent
performances.

Porthmadog: Richard Harvey: John G Jones, Lee Webber, Rhys Roberts, Mike
Foster: Ywain Gwynedd (Jason Sadler 80'), Gareth Parry, Paul Friel, Iwan
Thomas: Carl Owen, Les Davies.

Subs not used: Geraint Mitchell, Tom Hughes.

Haverfordwest: Kendall, Brace, Catlin (Blain 61'), Palmer, Wyn Thomas, Rob
Jones, Owain Thomas (O'Sullivan 61'), Hicks, Adams (McNabney), Rossiter,
Hudgell.

No cards for either side.

Attendance 176

Gareth Williams






Vauxhall Masterfit Welsh Premier -Saturday, February 18th

Caersws ...2		CPD Porthmadog ... 1
Chris Venables 13  	Jason Sadler 71
Lloyd Grist 52

A disappointing day for Porthmadog at Caersws in what was a largely
disappointing game with little goalmouth incident on a very sticky surface.
A goal in each half proved to be enough to give the home side the three
points in this mid table clash. 

Porthmadog started well and within the first ten minutes had forced three
corners, Danny Hughes had drawn a save from Mulliner and Gareth Parry had
headed wide. Caersws were hardly out of their own half during this time but
when they did break out after 13 minutes the move proved decisive. Mark
Williams's cross from the right was parried by Harvey but Chris Venables was
free at the far post to tap in from close range.

Even after this it was Porthmadog who still enjoyed the best of the
possession. Paul Friel fired wide after a good exchange of passes with Carl
Owen. But the best Port chances came close to the interval the first when
Danny Hughes created a good opening for Les Davies but the shot went across
the face of the goal. Carl Owen's shot, after being played in by John
Gwynfor, curled narrowly wide of the upright.

Eight minutes into the second half Caersws went further ahead when Ross
Stephens broke from midfield and split the visitors defence wide open. Lloyd
Grist fastened on to the well directed pass and drove low past Harvey from
15 yards. The home side then enjoyed their best period of the game and could
have gone further ahead when Grist found Ross Stephens in space and the
forward's shot grazed the bar. Soon after Stephens came close again but this
time fired across the face of goal. 

Porthmadog struggled to get back into the game but their passing generally
lacked the accuracy to free Owen and Sadler. The most likely source for
Porthmadog always seemed to be a free kick from Mike Foster and this turned
out to be the case. Lee Webber's downward header from one of these after 71
minutes found Jason Saddler in space in the box and the newcomer took
advantage and notched his first goal for Porthmadog.

Any hope that this would lift Porthmadog and get them back on level terms
proved to be false. The experienced Reynolds marshalled the home defence and
Mulliner was not called upon to make another serious save. In fact it was
Caersws who almost took advantage on the counter attack but Lewis failed in
his attempt to lob over Harvey.

This was a performance best forgotten by Porthmadog in a game that was
important for their challenge for a place in next season's Premier Cup. With
things so tight in mid table these were three valuable points for Caersws.

 Porthmadog: Richard Harvey, John G Jones, Lee Webber, Rhys Roberts, Mike
Foster: Danny Hughes, Gareth Parry (Iwan Thomas 59'), Paul Friel, Les
Davies: Carl Owen, Jason Saddler.

Subs not used: Geraint Mitchell, Ywain Gwynedd.

Yellow: Les Davies 73'

Caersws: Mulliner, Andrew Thomas, Grist, Reynolds, Anthony Griffiths,
Venables, Graham Jones, Geraint Lewis, Mitchell (Bermingham 79'), Stephens,
Mark Williams.

Subs not used: Probert, Mark Lewid.

Yellow: Chris Venables 69'  

Attendance: 255

Gareth Williams





Vauxhall Masterfit Welsh Premier	-Saturday February 11th

Rhyl ... 3		CPD Porthmadog ... 0
Andy Moran 51,87.
Lee Hunt 73

Three goals in the second half gave Rhyl a deserved victory. The home side
started well and in the 11th minute Moran found himself in space in the box
but his touch let him down and the opportunity was lost. Only a minute later
Hunt swept a good opportunity past the post. Stones then came close,
following a good build up on the left, but his clever flick at the near post
was well anticipated by Harvey in the Port goal.

The Port defence however kept its composure with Rhys Roberts outstanding at
the heart of the defence. With Rhyl closing things down quickly in midfield
and with the physically strong back four dominant in the air Port struggled
to create anything in the final third. One moment of danger came when Jason
Sadler, on his debut, turned Horan well on the edge of the box but he was
denied a run on goal by a blatant shirt pull which resulted in a free-kick.
Port were again unlucky when a good bout of interpassing put Sadler through
on goal but a linesman's flag for offside denied him the opportunity.
Television footage subsequently would seem to confirm that Port complaints
were justified. The half ended with Rhyl again on the attack and Harvey did
well to keep them out with an excellent punch under pressure at the back
post.

Rhyl were not denied for long in the second-half however and six minutes
into the second period a throw from the left reached Moran who turned well
in the box to beat Harvey from 10 yards. Port worked hard to contain the
home side but Wilson fired narrowly wide from 25 yards and Moran's dipping
shot drifted wide. Port might have drawn level after 69 minutes when Danny
Hughes crossed following good work by Sadler but Carl Owen appeared to be
impeded as he battled to get a finishing touch.

Rhyl more or less settled the match after 73 minutes when Port gave the ball
away in midfield and they were punished when Limbert drove a low ball into
the box and Hunt finished off from close range. The disciplined home side
then kept a tight control on things and three minutes from time Sharp again
capitalised on an error to drive low at goal. Harvey stopped the initial
shot but Moran was on hand to collect the rebound and score his second from
close range.

Congratulations to Mike Foster who made his 300 Welsh Premier appearance
today but unfortunately he was unable to celebrate it with a win. Rhyl ran
out worthy winners. 

Port: Richard Harvey, John G Jones, Lee Webber, Rhys Roberts, Mike Foster:
Danny Hughes, Gareth Parry (Ywain Gwynedd 74), Paul Friel, Gareth Caughter
(Iwan Thomas 81'), Carl Owen, Jason Sadler.

Sub not used: Richie Owen.
Red: None Yellow: None

Rhyl: Whitfield, Connelly, Graves, Stones, Horan, Wilson, Limbert, Moran,
Hunt (Sharp 81'), Taylor (Adamson 75'), Brewerton.

Sub not used: Mark Powell
Red: None Yellow:None

Attendance 490

Gareth Williams