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| Hwlffordd / Haverfordwest (a) |
Rhyl [LC] (h) |
Prestatyn [WC] (a) |
Bangor [LC] (h) |
Caernarfon (h) | | NEWI Cefn Druids (a) | Caernarfon [LC] (a) | TNS (h) | Airbus UK (a) | Bangor City (h) | TNS (a) | Loosemores League Cup - Tuesday, November 7th TNS ... 1 CPD Porthmadog ...2 Duane Courtney 72' Jason Sadler 30' Les Davies 90' Cup ties are synonymous with shocks and there certainly was one at Treflan tonight. Les Davies clinched Porthmadog's semi-final place with a 90th minute winner. The professional outfit will feel that they dominated the game territorially but in fact they created few if any clear cut chances and their only goal came from a set piece. This was a well disciplined well planned performance by the visitors and when the chances came they took them superbly. TNS opened brightly with good movement and accurate passing to stretch the Porthmadog defence. Harris and Wilde put in a couple of early efforts without really threatening the visitors' goal. Alfie Carter was the dangerman hugging the left touchline and testing the Port defence. Gradually Porthmadog weathered the early storm and home keeper Docherty had to rush from his goal to keep out Sadler. Port then forced a couple of corners which came to nothing but on the half-hour mark the visitors struck on the counter attack. Two well judged passes from Kevin Roberts and Danny Hughes put Jason Sadler through. The striker raced on outpacing the home defence before rounding the keeper and slotting the ball into the empty net for a superb opener. For all their fine possession football it was almost half-time before the home side really tested Harvey. In the 43rd minute he turned a Wilde effort round the post and a minute later saved well from Harris at close range. The second-half was much as the first with Port only occasionally looking stretched. Once Ryan Davies did well to clear Carter's cross and Courtney crossed a ball which screamed across the face of goal. A series of TNS corners followed and Naylor's 72 minute corner at last opened up the Port rearguard for Courtney to head past Harvey and bring the scores level. The anticipated TNS onslaught did not materialise. Port showed their intent and on 80 minutes brought on Mark Cook as an additional striker. The sub's flicked header created an opening for the tireless Les Davies who teed up a superb 87th minute curler which thundered against the upright. This did not however prove to be the game's last chance for with 90 minutes on the clock Ryan Davies, who was a giant in the Port defence, struck a fine long cross field pass for brother Les who cut inside along the line of the penalty area before picking his spot and beat Doherty with a low accurate finish. Porthmadog were through and the celebrations could start! Port were a team of heroes who can be proud of the way they executed the pre-match plan. CPD Porthmadog: R. Harvey, G. Mitchel, R. Davies, R. Roberts, M. Foster, K. Roberts (Y. Gwynedd, 75), G. Caughter (M. Cook, 80) , R. Hughes (G. Parry, 66), D. Hughes, L. Davies, J. Sadler Sub not used: C Evans. TNS: Doherty, Courtney, Stones, Jackson, Holmes, Naylor, Hogan, Harris (Ward, 56), Toner, Wilde, Carter. Subs not used: Baker, Eyo, S. Jones, M. Davies. Welsh Cup Round 3 -Saturday, November 4th CPD Porthmadog ... 2 Bangor City ...0 Gareth Parry 54 Rhys Roberts 75 Bangor City's Clayton Blackmore resigned as manager of the club following Porthmadog's comfortable victory to secure a place in the 4th round of the Welsh Cup. The home side took some time to turn their domination into goals but second-half goals resulting from two Chris Evans set pieces gave Porthmadog the victory which their overall play deserved. Despite being well in control from the start Porthmadog were once more guilty of failing to turn early pressure into goals. As early as the third minute Port could have taken the lead but were unlucky when Danny Hughes's header struck the foot of the upright with Havard beaten. The keeper soon after did well to get a hand to a Carl Owen flick which appeared goal bound. Several Porthmadog long range efforts failed to find the target but midway through the half twice Havard saved well at his near post to deny first Carl Owen and then Chris Evans. The visitors were rarely in evidence as an attacking force their only efforts on goal in the opening half were a long range effort by Killacky and another just before the interval by Stott who fired over the bar when well placed. After a scoreless opening half the home side came out determined to put matters right in the second period. Early on a Les Davies thunderbolt was blocked and then Davies again came near to opening the scoring but his close range effort was scrambled for a corner. Then nine minutes into the half came the all important first goal when Gareth Parry fired in from close range after Ryan Davies headed Chris Evans's far post corner back into the danger area. It was just that Gareth Parry was the scorer as he was in outstanding form throughout controlling midfield and his passing was of high quality. The Bangor response was to force a couple of corners but the solid central defence of skipper Ryan Davies and Rhys Roberts remained very much in charge, so much so that the experienced former Porthmadog partnership of Mark Lloyd Williams and Paul Roberts failed to produce a solitary shot on target between them during the 90 minutes. Whilst the score remained 1-0 there was always a chance of a Bangor break but after 75 minutes the home side doubled their lead and once again it came via a Chris Evans corner. This time it was defender Rhys Roberts who took advantage of a header back across the face of the goal to score. Though Havard saved Roberts's initial header the defender was on hand to slide the ball into the net from close range. Though Bangor forced a series of corners near the end it was a case of too little too late for the visitors. Porthmadog were worthy winners in a game where there was little of the needle and passion associated with games between the two clubs. Porthmadog will now hope that their cup form will be carried into the league encounter between the two clubs next Saturday with a 2 pm kick-off because of the presence of S4C cameras. Porthmadog: Richard Harvey: John G Jones, Ryan Davies, Rhys Roberts, Mike Foster: Danny Hughes Paul Friel (Richard Hughes 90'), Gareth Parry, Chris Evans (Gareth Caughter 81')): Carl Owen (Jason Sadler 90'), Les Davies. Bangor: Havard, Blackmore, Beattie Killacky (Neville 77'), Webber, O'Neill, M.L.Williams, Stott, Paul Roberts, Jacobs, Walsh (McGuiness 68'). Sub not used: Newell. Referee: Brian Lawlor. Attendance: 317. Gareth Williams Principality Building Society Welsh Premier - Saturday, October 28. Airbus UK ....... 1 CPD Porthmadog ....... 1 Gareth Sudlow 63 Carl Owen 27 On the first look this game would be an easy three points for Port. However, Airbus have seen a slight improvement in form over recent weeks, with a draw against Aberystwyth and a victory against Port Talbot. Add to that Port's inability to perform against lower sides, and we suddenly had a game on our hands. The game got off to a scrappy start, and continued in the same vein for much of the 90 minutes. Neither side really managed to get the ball down on the deck and play good passing football. Having said that, it was Port who had the lion's share of play during the opening 45 minutes. But for all their possession, their goal-scoring opportunities were quite limited during this spell. Richard Harvey was hardly tested, and I can only recall Port coming close twice in the first half. Both these chances fell to Carl Owen. The first coming on 9 minutes when Owen turned well on the edge of the box, and attempted to lob the keeper. But, too often, Port were frustrated by some extremely close off-side calls. The second chance on goal lead to Port's opener on 27 minutes. Owen received the ball in a central position in front of goal and headed past his marker into the box before chipping the keeper to put Port in front in fine style. Porthmadog continued to press for the reminder of the first half, but failed to create any real clear cut goal scoring opportunities. Chances at the other end were even more sparse - James Hussaney looking the most dangerous for the hosts but lacked support up front in the first 45. As in many other games of late, Port failed to continue the momentum from the first half, and Airbus took charge after the interval. Gareth Owen and Darren Williams both came close before the hour mark, and Airbus could have drawn level but for some wayward shooting. However, this was only a stay of execution for them. On 63 minutes Airbus drew level as Gareth Sudlow netted following a scramble after Gareth Owen's free kick. Three minutes later, Harvey was again called to action to deny Darren Williams after a Steve Futcher cross. At this stage, it seemed that Airbus would be the most likely to add to their score, as they continued to press. Port, on the other hand, continued to be frustrated by close calls for off-side, and didn't really look like scoring until the last ten minutes of the game. During this spell Gareth Parry and sub Kevin Roberts both tested McGee in the Airbus goal. Then, in the dying minutes of the 90, Carl Owen got an opportunity to give Port the win. He received the ball in the box but he was desperately unlucky to see his shot, which had beaten the keeper, being denied by the post. On the balance of play, I would have to say that a draw was a fair result. Port had the best of the opening half, but it was the hosts who had looked the best after the interval. Things might have been different had some of the off-side shouts had been given Port's way, but it would have been nice to see Port trying to vary their attacking options a bit more, rather than relying so much on through balls, especially after seeing that the linesmen always found in favour of the defending side. Even though Airbus have improved over the last few weeks, you still feel that this was a game that Port should have been looking to win. Port: R. Harvey, J. G. Jones, R. Roberts, M. Foster, R. Davies, G. Parry (R. Hughes, D. Hughes (P. Friel), C. Evans (K. Roberts), G. Caughter, L. Davies, C. Owen. Sub not used: M. Cooke. Airbus: A. McGee, R. Edwards, L. Williams, S. Cunby, J. Davies, G. Sudlow, R. Crawford, G. Owen, D. Williams, J. McIntosh, J. Hussaney. Subs: C. Mayers, S. Jones, S. Futcher, D Hughes, R. Maloney Iwan. Principality Building Society Welsh Premier - Saturday, October 21st. CPD Porthmadog ...1 TNS ...2 Les Davies 10' Michael Wild 57' John Toner 82' After last week’s 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Cefn Druids, the more pessimistic Porthmadog supporter might have feared the worst from this clash against the league champions. However, from the outset Port showed that this wasn’t going to be a walkover for the full time professionals. The opening few minutes saw good pressure from the home side and only 5 minutes had elapsed when Carl Owen could have put them in front, but Les Davies’s driven cross from the left was just beyond his reach. Porthmadog pressure continued and after 9 minutes a good through ball freed Les Davies who cut through the TNS defence and chipped keeper Gerard Doherty. Unluckily for Les, his shot crashed against the cross-bar and the TNS defence managed to clear the rebound. The resultant corner found Ryan Davies, who headed across the crowded penalty box. Les Davies latched on to the ball with a thundering volley, á la Van Basten, which left Doherty with no chance and left the net bulging! Following this setback TNS did attempt to get more into the game, however it was Port who had the next chance. Once again Les Davies was in the thick of things – this time providing the pass which set Garth Parry free in the opponents’ penalty box, however he couldn’t find a way past Doherty. Amazingly it took until the 27th minute before TNS had their first chance of match! Steven Beck received the ball from a corner and his shot was well saved by Richard Harvey who dived down to his left. There then followed a period of TNS pressure, with both Wild and Beck seeing long range efforts going wide. John Leah did manage an effort on target 8 minutes before half time, but his shot was straight at Harvey and caused no problems. Ken McKenna must have given his players a proper telling off at half time because TNS came out in the second half and controlled much of the play. The opening chance of the half came to Leah who, in a repeat of his effort at the end of the first half shot straight at Harvey. It wasn’t all TNS though and Port did have some chances; Gareth Parry’s header after 54 minutes from a Richard Hughes cross was easy for Doherty. A minute later at the other end of the pitch, it took a fantastic Ryan Davies tackle to prevent a scoring opportunity for Alfie Carter. After 57 minutes though no-one could stop Mike Wild – his volley left Richard Harvey with no chance drawing TNS level. Phil Baker’s deflected effort with 66 minutes on the clock nearly gave TNS the lead, but the ball spooned just over the bar and minutes later Harvey had to save from a Carter header. Then, with only 8 minutes left to play, came the moment that broke Port supporters’ hearts. A cross from the left found substitute Greg Stones, his shot was deflected across the face of the goal leaving another sub John Toner with the easy job of tapping the ball into the net. In the last minute Port nearly got back on terms, but Carl Owen’s header from a Richard Hughes cross went just over the bar. So a game that had started so well finished in defeat for Port. However Viv and Osian can take a lot of positives from the performance. That they more than held their own against a professional team surely means that Port can improve from this poor start to the season. It also shows that the forthcoming cup ties against Bangor, Llanelli and TNS are by no means beyond the team. Porthmadog: Richard Harvey, Richard Hughes, Mike Foster, Rhys Roberts, Ryan Davies, Paul Friel, Gareth Parry, Danny Hughes, Chris Evans, Carl Owen, Les Davies. Subs: Gareth Caughter, Jason Sadler, Kevin Roberts, Mark Cooke TNS: Duane Courtney, Phil Baker, Michael Jackson, Tommy Holmes, John Leah, Scott Ruscoe, Alfie Carter, Michael Wilde, Steven Beck, Nicky Ward. Subs: John Toner, Greg Stones, Barry Hogan Emyr Gareth www.cpdporthmadog.com Loosemores League Cup -Wednesday, October 18th Caernarfon ... 1 CPD Porthmadog ...2 Chris Jones 83' Les Davies 52' Jason Sadler 86' Port booked their place in the next round of the competition, and an away tie against The New Saints, thanks mainly to another Les Davies wonder goal early in the second half. The first period had followed a familiar pattern, with Port having the lion’s share of the possession but failing to make it count in the final third of the pitch. They came close in the first minute, when Caernarfon based Jason Sadler forced a save out of Cofi’s new keeper Ben Heald. Port continued to press, with Kevin Roberts and Gareth Caughter making an impression. Kevin Roberts came close with his head after a corner that resulted from Sadler’s earlier effort. Roberts and Caugher then combined well on 26 minutes, and Caughter forced another save out of Heald. At the other end, Harvey was only really tested once in the first half, when Paul Carvill found himself clear on the left hand side for the Canaries near the half way mark in the opening period. Port continued to huff and puff but had limited success, until the half hour mark when they had a golden opportunity. Kevin Roberts did well to stop the ball from going out for a goal kick before crossing into the box. Les Davies headed it down to Sadler but he failed to make a proper connection with the ball. Port’s other scoring opportunity of note in the first half fell to Gareth Caughter, whose speculative long range effort dipped at the last minute to give the Caernarfon keeper another test. As the half drew to a close you started to fear that Port’s inability to take advantage of their chances would cost them again, especially as Caernarfon had more of the ball in the final minutes. Caernarfon were first off the mark after the interval, and managed to keep possession more successfully than they had in the opening half. But just as you started to fear that Caernarfon were getting on top came the moment that changed the match. Les Davies picked up the ball mid way into the Caernarfon half beating three or four of his opponents before chipping the ball over the keeper to give Port the lead seven minutes after the interval. Port continued to press with Kevin Roberts and Les Davies having opportunities. The hosts then had a good period of pressure around the 70 minute mark, with Lee Jones and Mark Thomas coming close to score for them. It took an excellent save from Richard Harvey to deny Jones. Then with seven minutes on the clock, Chris Jones, the subject of an approach by Port, shot through a crowded box for the equaliser. This would have given Caernarfon the point they needed to proceed to the next round. In the closing minutes, Port started to press again, and just as you thought that time had run out, Chris Evans crossed the ball to find an un-marked Jason Sadler on the right hand side of the box, and he made no mistake as he shot home to give the lead back to Port with only four minutes to go. Port managed to hold on to their lead as the ref gave a long period of extra time. They remain in all cup competitions, but they now need to take their form in the cups into the league as they face a tough challenge against TNS on Saturday. Caernarfon: Heald, I. Owen, Ogilvey, E. Jones, Bamber, Quinn, C. Jones, M. Thomas, Rowley, Peters Carvill. Subs: L. Jones, C. Roberts, Maxwell Porthmadog: Harvey, Mitchell (J. G. Jones), C. Evans, R. Roberts, R. Hughes, D. Hughes (Gwynedd), Friel, K. Roberts, Sadler, Caughter, L. Davies (Cooke) Sub not used: C. Owen. Iwan Gareth. Principality Building Society Welsh Premier - Friday, October 13th. NEWI Cefn Druids ...3 CPD Porthmadog ...0 Heverin 42' 45' 61' Once again Porthmadog were made to pay for failing to turn pressure into goals in the early part of a game. The first half hour gave no inkling as to the way in which this game would turn out but an excellent Mike Heverin hat-trick, which included two goals in three minutes just before half-time, gave Druids their first league win of the season. The visitors threatened from the start with Kevin Roberts testing Druids keeper Edwards early on from a narrow angle and then after 7 minutes the same player looked to have put Port ahead but his looping header was hooked off the line. A couple of efforts by Carl Owen and Les Davies came close before Roberts was again unlucky to see his dipping shot drop just over the bar. Following a good build -up on the left keeper Edwards did well to block another Kevin Roberts effort at the expense of a corner. But Heverin warned the visitors of what could happen when after 20 minutes he rattled the upright following a corner. Carl Lamb then shot narrowly wide as gradually the home side got more into the game. Three minutes before half-time Mike Heverin struck to punish Port for their earlier misses when he took advantage of a goalmouth scramble to open the scoring. A minute before the interval and Heverin doubled Druids' lead when he burst on to Osian Jones' through ball after Lamb had initially opened up the visitors with a fine cross field ball. Port attacked from the start of the second half but Gareth Parry fired wide following a Les Davies lay off. But Druids, with their confidence growing, took advantage of the slope and the inevitable Heverin drew a good save from Harvey. Just past the hour mark the striker completed a fine hat-trick and virtually sealed the victory when he turned well in the box to slot the ball past Harvey. To their credit Porthmadog continued to look for that elusive score and Carl Owen in particular threatened. He almost took advantage of a good Ryan Davies through ball but allowed the angle to narrow before shooting and Edwards saved easily enough. Twice Owen turned provider first to set up Les Davies but the forward's shot flew wide of the target and then he supplied Danny Hughes who miss-hit his volley when well placed. Finally Jason Sadler burst into the box but failed to get enough power on his shot due to the close attention of Taylor and Rowlands who performed uncompromisingly throughout at the heart of the Druids defence. The Druids will be relieved to secure their first league victory while Porthmadog will be very concerned as they have picked up only one point out of six against teams which lay beneath them in the table. This will certainly set the alarm bells ringing. Newi Cefn Druids: Edwards, Hunter, Wright, Taylor, Aled Rowlands, Chris Roberts, Osian Jones, Wayne Phillips, Carl Lamb (Edgar 90'), Mike Heverin, Steve Watkin. Subs not used: Burns, Carwyn Davies. Porthmadog: Richard Harvey: John G Jones, Ryan Davies, Rhys Roberts, Mike Foster: Kevin Roberts ( Jason Sadler 58'), Gareth Parry( Gareth Caughter 67'), Danny Hughes, Paul Friel (Richard Hughes 78'): Carl Owen, Les Davies. Subs not used: Mark Cook. Referee MA Jones (Gwersyllt) Attendance: 104 Gareth Williams Principality Building Society Welsh Premier - Sunday, October 8th. CPD Porthmadog ...2 Caernarfon Town ...2 Carl Owen 25 Chris Jones 6 Kevin Roberts 65 Layton Maxwell 32 (pen.) Though Porthmadog came back to score a 65th minute equaliser having been 2-1 in arrears at the interval they will hardly be satisfied by a point from a game which they dominated territorially and in terms of possession. The home team were quickly out of the blocks and before three minutes had elapsed Carl Owen had chipped a shot over the bar and Les Davies, unmarked in the box, had failed to make contact with an excellent Chris Evans cross. The early Porthmadog pressure was not however a sign of things to come for with only six minutes on the clock Caernarfon winger Chris Jones took advantage of a home defensive muddle. Finding himself totally free on the right he fired low past Harvey to put the visitors ahead. The visitors' confidence increased following the score and they forced a couple of corners and Ryan Davies needed to pull off a good tackle to stop Rowley. But it was the home side who created the better opportunities. Chris Evans had a shot deflected for a corner following a good break and Les Davies forced Caernarfon keeper Pritchard to save at full stretch. It was Les Davies who created the opening for Porthmadog's 25th minute equaliser breaking down the right before cutting the ball back for Carl Owen to slot the ball into the net. Seven minutes later another Caernarfon counter attack led to their second goal. Again it was Chris Jones who broke on the right cutting into the box before taking a tumble in the area from a Ryan Davies tackle. The referee responded to his assistant's signal pointing to the spot. Layton Maxwell made no mistake from the spot finding the corner of the net with a powerful strike. There was still time however for a couple more Porthmadog efforts before the interval from Carl Owen and Gareth Caughter. There were a couple of Caernarfon efforts on goal early in the second half a Lee Jones header from a Carvill cross flew over the bar and later Harvey saved well from Chris Jones. It was a case then of the first half all over again but even more so with Porthmadog enjoying long periods of possession and pressure. Les Davies had a header well saved at the near post by Pritchard and by now the introduction of Kevin Roberts on the right for the home team was beginning to have an effect. He provided width, attacking the Caernarfon defence at pace. In the 65th minute Roberts broke on the right and his cross field pass found Les Davies who for the second time in the afternoon cut a ball back into the box this time for the initial supplier Kevin Roberts to fire low into the net. As the home side pushed forward a win seemed likely but despite long periods of pressure the goal would not come. Gareth Caughter shot narrowly over the bar and a long distance effort by John Gwynfor looked on its way into the net but scraped the crossbar. Kevin Roberts was again narrowly off target from a Jason Sadler cross. Caernarfon still provided a threat on the break and it needed a good block by Ryan Davies to foil Maloney. But with time running out Carl Owen went on a strong run down the left but Pritchard dived at his feet to block his run at the near post. A home draw was not good news for Porthmadog. They will need to take more of the chances they are creating if they are not to be drawn into a bottom of the table battle as the season progresses. Porthmadog: Richard Harvey: John G. Jones, Ryan Davies, Rhys Roberts, Richard Hughes: Gareth Caughter (Jason Sadler 74'), Paul Friel (Kevin Roberts 58'), Gareth Parry, Chris Evans (Danny Hughes 58') Yellow: Ryan Davies 6' Caernarfon: Pritchard, Bamber, Ogilvy, Yates, Eifion Jones, Maxwell, Maloney, Chris Jones, Carvill (Gwyn Peters 70'), Rowley (Craig Roberts 80'), Lee Jones. Sub not used: Heath, Lloyd. Yellow: Eifion Jones 69' Attendance 312. Referee: Kevin Parry Gareth Williams www.porthmadogfc.com Loosemores League Cup -Tuesday, October 3rd CPD Porthmadog ... 1 Bangor City ...2 Mark Cook 88 Kyle Jacobs 65,71 Two goals in the space of six minutes in the second-half by the former Macclesfield Town player Kyle Jacobs gave Bangor City the victory which their greater second-half enterprise earned them. This came after a first-half where Porthmadog, though looking the stronger of the two teams and the more likely to get on the scoresheet, failed to turn possession into goals. The first half was a quieter affair than usual meetings between these two Gwynedd rivals. The visitors had the first effort on goal after five minutes when Wilson headed Walsh's far post corner over the bar. But for the remainder of the opening half Bangor were restricted to long range efforts with the home team making most of the running. Carl Owen came close from a couple of half chances after good build up play. Owen again almost took advantage of a mix up between Docker and keeper Havard but the visitors managed to scramble the ball away. Late in the half Bangor threatened with Harvey saving well at his far post to keep out a powerful long range effort from McGuiness. Ryan Davies also did well to shepherd Paul Roberts away from goal after the ball had been given away in on the edge of the box. The second period started much as the first with Porthmadog forcing the pace and winning several corners. The closest they came to opening the score was when Les Davies chipped over the bar. However they failed to retain their grip on the game as Bangor spread the ball wide, especially after Sion Edwards was introduced, using their pace to test the Porthmadog defence. With the game past the hour mark Jacobs was allowed room to run at the home defence and from 20 yards unleashed a powerful shot which ended in the far corner of the net giving Harvey no chance. Much of the home play was now untidy with the ball being given away far too often. Clayton Blackmore, who came on as substitute keeper in the second half, was not given his first test until the 69th minute when he comfortably held a Les Davies free-kick. A minute later and Port could have drawn level as Blackmore, this time, was relieved to see Carl Owen's shot strike the foot of the upright. In the 71st minute Bangor doubled their lead as the usually reliable Harvey could only parry a speculative long distance effort by Kyle Jacobs into the net. This second goal spurred the home side to increase their efforts and Gareth Parry's shot, after a good run by Les Davies, was blocked for a corner. Blackmore pulled off a good save to keep out a Les Davies header but it was left to late substitute Mark Cook to score Porthmadog's consolation with only two minutes left. Cook picked up the through ball held off a defender and coolly slid the ball past Blackmore for his first senior goal. In injury time Port had one more opportunity to draw level but Blackmore kept out a Barry Jones drive. This was a disappointing second half performance by Porthmadog and this cost them the game. After a run of four games without defeat the old inconsistency returned to haunt them. Their game lacked width as they persisted in trying to break through the middle of a Bangor defence well marshalled by Adam Docker. Porthmadog: Richard Harvey: John G Jones, Ryan Davies, Rhys Roberts, Richard Hughes (Barry Jones 75'): Gareth Caughter (Kevin Roberts 72), Paul Friel (Mark Cook 75), Gareth Parry, Chris Evans: Carl Owen, Les Davies. Bangor City: Ian Havard (Clayton Blackmore 45), Anthony Wilson, Peter Jones, James Marsden (Sion Edwards 46), Adam Docker, Jon Newell, Mel McGuiness (ML Williams 61'), Ashley Stott, Paul Roberts, Kyle Jacobs Mike Walsh. Attendance: 299. Referee: Brian Lawlor(Holyhead) Gareth Williams www.porthmadogfc.com Welsh Cup Round 2 -Saturday September 30th Prestatyn Town ...2 CPD Porthmadog ...4 Fisher Cooke 57 Gareth Caughter 47,63. Steve Bowes 59 Carl Owen 72 Mike Foster 79 (pen) Despite the two goal margin at the end Porthmadog didn't gain entry to the 3rd round without some discomfort. After spurning numerous chances in the opening half they found themselves a goal behind against the Cymru Alliance newcomers at the hour mark. Two goals within two minutes by the home side had made a shock result more than a possibility. The WPL side however kept their cool to run out deserved winners at the end. Porthmadog enjoyed the majority of the possession in the opening half and created a catalogue of chances which they then proceeded to waste. In the tenth minute Paul Friel struck the ball cleanly from the edge of the box only to see the ball thudding off the bar to safety. Carl Owen and Les Davies had shots deflected for corners and a powerful shot on the turn also by Les Davies, was well saved by keeper John Dunt diving to his left. Carl Owen twice headed over the bar at corners and the same player sent a shot into the side netting from a narrow angle. The best chance of all came after a good 38th minute build up on the left involving Gareth Caughter and Les Davies which created a clear chance for Gareth Parry but the midfielder shot wide from 10 yards. During one rare home attack Ryan Davies, under pressure, headed a Fisher Cooke shot behind for a corner. But as the half drew to a close it was Carl Owen again who threatened and keeper Dunt needed a second attempt to hold his powerful shot. If the first half was scoreless the second half made up for this with 6 goals. The visitors were quickly out of the blocks and scored within two minutes of the resumption. Chris Evans sent a perfectly weighted ball into Gareth Caughter's path and with a perfect first touch the forward broke into the box beating Dunt from close range. This should have steadied the Porthmadog nerves but instead the goal seemed to lift the home side and within 10 minutes Prestatyn were back on level terms when Fisher Cooke took advantage of some defensive hesitation to lift a fine 20 yard shot beyond Harvey in the Porthmadog goal. Two minutes later and the home team delighted their supporters by going ahead. Bowes found space in the box after a build up on the left and beat Harvey with a low shot from 10 yards. The lead only lasted for four minutes before Chris Evans and Gareth Caughter once again combined to create a goal. Caughter found space at the far post to convert Evans' deep cross. In the 72nd minute Gareth Caughter turned provider and Carl Owen restored Port's lead with a well placed finish. The visitors finally booked their place in the next round after Carl Owen had been brought down in the box by Fuller with the goal at his mercy. Mike Foster stepped to score from the spot. It was a case of all's well that ends well and a pleasing double for Gareth Caughter. Prestatyn: Dunt, Chris Evans, Jack Lewis, Fuller(Peter Jenkins 86'), Duffy, Parker, Fisher-Cooke, Peter Evans, Milne, Wellburn( Steve Harris 71'), Bowes. Sub not used: Craig Griffiths. Yellow: Dale Milne 69' Porthmadog: Richard Harvey: John G Jones, Ryan Davies, Rhys Roberts, Mike Foster(Richard Hughes 82'): Gareth Caughter(Kevin Roberts 83'), Gareth Parry, Paul Friel, Chris Evans: Carl Owen(Jason Sadler 82'), Les Davies. Gareth Williams www.porthmadogfc.com Loosemore's League Cup -Tuesday, September 26th CPD Porthmadog ...0 Rhyl FC ...0 A Porthmadog team containing several young and inexperienced players justified the faith of their managers holding their own against a virtually full strength Rhyl side. This was the third occasion that the two sides have met during September but this time there was no 86th minute goal to get the visitors out of gaol. The first strike on goal came after 12 minutes of midfield skirmishing when Porthmadog's Paul Friel found space to test keeper John Gann with a low shot from 18 yards. With both sides building from the back there was plenty to admire in the play though 19 minutes had gone before Rhyl had their first real strike on goal when Clampitt fired a low shot from the edge of the box, narrowly missing the target. Four minutes later young Porthmadog reserve striker Mark Cook showed plenty of confidence running on to a through ball, firing just wide of the angle from 20 yards. Just after the half hour mark Richard Harvey pulled off a fine save to deny Rhyl when Hay fired through a crowded box. But the best chance to open the scoring came when young Cook took advantage of a deflection to break into the box but Gann was quickly out and the lob bounded narrowly past the upright. An even opening half ended scoreless. Rhyl probably edged the second half in terms of possession and it was they who were first on the attack with Murtagh breaking well on the right but sending his shot over the bar. Near the hour mark Ryan Davies -on for Rhys Roberts in the second half- almost caught out the Rhyl defence to take advantage of a quickly taken free-kick, but his header looped over the bar. Connolly, for Rhyl, failed to repeat his free-kick success at Belle Vue, his 68th minute effort curled wide of the post from 20 yards. Connolly was soon in the action again but his low shot flew across the face of the goal. Porthmadog were still very much in the game with Friel and Gareth Parry in excellent form testing the visitors defence with probing passes. Following a Gareth Caughter free kick Gann had to save under pressure from Richard Hughes. Rhyl upped the pressure in the closing minutes and Porthmadog can thank their keeper Richard Harvey for a couple of excellent saves. In the 82nd minute he dived low at his near post to keep out another Connolly effort. Moran was first to the rebound but blazed over the bar. Three minutes later and Harvey made an even better save when it seemed that Moran, having been put through in space by Wilson, had to score. But Harvey threw himself low to his left to deny the prolific scorer. Les Davies had a last chance to win it for Porthmadog in the 86th minute but his 25 yard free kick dipped over the bar. There was an excellent debut by Barry Jones from Bodedern -not putting a foot wrong- and also excellent first starts of the season by reserves Iwan Williams and Mark Cooke. Porthmadog: Richard Harvey; Barry Jones, Richard Hughes, Rhys Roberts (Ryan Davies 45'), Mike Foster (John G Jones 72'): Paul Friel, Gareth Caughter, Gareth Parry, Iwan Williams: Mark Cook (Carl Owen 76'), Les Davies. Subs not used: Iestyn Woolaway, Arwel Evans. Yellow: Mark Cook 62', Les Davies 77' Rhyl: Gann: Connolly, Graves (Moody 55'), Clampitt, Horan, Timmy Edwards, Hay, Moran, Cameron (Owen 76'), Murtagh, Wilson. Sub not used: Mark Powell. Yellow: Wilson 77' Referee: A P Harris. Gareth Williams. Principality Building Society Welsh Premier -Saturday September 23rd Haverfordwest County ... 1 CPD Porthmadog ... 1 Chris Miller 11' Carl Owen 63' This was an absorbing end to end contest, so full of attacking play that it was surprising that it only produced one goal in each half. Both sides will feel that they might have taken all three points, the home side will point to some lengthy periods of pressure on the Porthmadog goal in the second half while the visitors will consider that it was they who produced more clear chances on goal. All of which means that a draw was probably a fair result on the day. Porthmadog carved out the early chances with Carl Owen's header testing out Kendall and then Les Davies was in the action on a couple of occasions one of these bringing a diving save from Kendall. The home side were quick to retaliate and soon after Wayne Jones was guilty of wasting a good opportunity firing over the bar following a deep cross. Haverfordwest were playing with plenty of width and this produced an early goal when Miller got his head to Hudgell's cross scoring off the post after 11 minutes. Referee Mark Whitby needed the assistant's confirmation that the ball had indeed crossed the line. The home side continued to press with much of the danger coming from Hudgell and O'Sullivan and Ryan Davies did well to clear one low cross from Hudgell at the expense of a corner. Midway through the half came a period of intense Porthmadog pressure which started when Danny Hughes broke from midfield and Kendall had to be at his best to turn the shot round the post. Porthmadog then forced four corners in quick succession but though O'Sullivan sliced a clearance on to the roof of the net there was still no end product. Another Les Davies run, breaking through two tackles with the referee waving play on, ended with a screamer across the face of goal. But Richard Harvey also needed to keep his concentration as the home side counter attacked and he saved well near post from danger man Hudgell. The half ended with a Les Davies shot being cleared off the line and the visitors could count themselves unfortunate to be behind at the interval. Soon after the break Harvey had to save from Hudgell following a run into the box and this was followed by a long range effort by Harris which flew over the bar. But Porthmadog were not out of the game and just after the hour a mark came the deserved equaliser with Les Davies cutting past two defenders before sending a deep cross for Carl Owen to beat Kendall with a neat header at the far post. The Bluebirds pushed forward now in the hope of regaining the lead and record their first league win of the season but though they enjoyed much of the possession they found Ryan Davies and Rhys Roberts once again in outstanding form and equal to the aerial bombardment thrown at them. On one occasion new skipper Ryan Davies had to clear over his own bar and there were one or two penalty area scrambles but in the main the home side for all their possession were restricted to shooting from long range as they failed to create many clear chances. This proved to be a very entertaining game which any neutral would have thoroughly enjoyed. Porthmadog can be pleased with their away point whilst Haverfordwest are left still searching for that elusive first win. Haverfordwest: Kendall, Brace, Wayne Jones (Tim Hicks 77'), Elliott, Rob Jones, Richie Adams, O'Sullivan, Palmer, Miller, Adie Harris, Hudgell. Subs not used: Cattlin, Heal. Yellow; Adie Harris 36' Porthmadog: Richard Harvey: John G Jones, Ryan Davies, Rhys Roberts, Richard Hughes: Danny Hughes, Gareth Parry, Paul Friel, Chris Evans (Gareth Caughter 81'): Carl Owen, Les Davies. Subs not used: Mike Foster, Iwan Williams. Yellow Ryan Davies 79' Attendance 203 Referee: Mark Whitby Gareth Williams www.porthmadogfc.com |
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