Principality Building Society, Welsh Premier -Friday, December 1st.
Connah's Quay Nomads ...1 CPD Porthmadog ...0
Adam Dickinson 68'
A narrow victory in an evenly fought contest makes Connah's Quay the
overnight leaders of the Welsh Premier. A solitary goal midway through the
second half, which had a strong element of luck attached to it, was the
difference between the two sides at the end.
Neither side created many chances over the ninety minutes and even though it
was a relatively quiet night for the keepers Richard Harvey in the
Porthmadog goal was probably just about the busier of the two. The wet
slippery conditions with even some standing water dictated the tactics and
for both sides it was a case of keeping things simple and making extensive
use of the long ball. Harvey under pressure in the opening minutes did well
to punch out Mutton's high cross from the left. The corner that followed led
to a slick Porthmadog counter attack and two well judged passes from Gareth
Caughter and Les Davies sliced open the Nomads defence but though well
placed Jason Sadler's finish failed to really trouble Smith in the home
goal. Play continued end to end with both sides having their threatening
periods. With 35 minutes gone Richard Harvey pulled off a fine save holding
on to Chris Williams's header from Marc Limbert's free-kick. Late in the
half Marc Limbert struck a 20 yard volley narrowly wide and Mutton should
have done better when he cut in from the right but shot tamely.
Both sides had early second half opportunities Connah's Quay came close when
Dickinson almost took advantage of a short Limbert free kick but his dipping
shot went narrowly over the cross bar. Moments later and Porthmadog debutant
Clayton Blackmore hit a cross field ball for Les Davies who turned his
marker but his angled shot went narrowly past the post. Then with the
visitors enjoying a good period Gareth Caughter was only inches away from
touching in Danny Hughes's low far post cross. The Nomads' goal continued to
lead a charmed life as Caughter this time crossed low into the box with Les
Davies just failing to apply the finishing touch. Then the Nomads struck
back with a long Molyneux throw causing some panic in the Port goalmouth and
Harvey doing well to cut out a dangerous Dickinson cross from the left.
Then after 69 minutes came the winning goal. Limbert who had previously sent
in several dangerous free kicks this time miscued his effort but the ball
rolled across to Dickinson who took full advantage of his luck chipping the
ball, from 18 yards, over Harvey into the net. Though Carl Owen was
introduced as a third striker the nearest Porthmadog came to finding an
equaliser was when Ryan Davies got a head to Mike Foster's free kick.
Further chances were limited but play continued to be end to end though
Dickinson went close again for the home side towards the end.
It was with some relief that the home side heard the final whistle. They
will feel however that they just about deserved to edge the victory while
Port will feel that they did enough to deserve something from such a close
contest.
Connah's Quay: Paul Smith, Swanick, Lovell, Hutchinson, Chris Williams,
Pinch, Limbert, Seargant, Mutton, Molyneux (Cook 90'), Dickinson.
Subs not used: Jellicoe, Roche, Alan Morgan, Millward.
Yellow: Chris Williams 75'.
Porthmadog: Richard Harvey, John G Jones, Ryan Davies, Rhys Roberts, Mike
Foster: Danny Hughes (Kevin Roberts 86'), Clayton Blackmore, Paul Friel,
Gareth Caughter (Carl Owen 72'), Jason Sadler, Les Davies.
Subs not used: Chris Evans, Mark Cook.
Yellow: Les Davies 32' Paul Friel 36'.
Referee: Mark Petch. Attendance:252
Gareth Williams
Loosemores Challenge Cup, Semi-Final, First Leg Tuesday, November 28th.
CPD Porthmadog ... 0 Rhyl FC ...0
A close contest was anticipated between two clubs who were playing each
other for the fourth time this season. With the two games at Belle Vue
having been settled by a late goal in the home team's favour and the
previous contest at the Traeth having been a goalless draw it was always
likely that goals would be at a premium and that is how it turned out.
The visitors started strongly and Porthmadog were forced on the defensive.
There was an early moment of panic in the home defence when keeper Richard
Harvey failed to hold on to a cross but the ball was scrambled clear. Then
in the twelfth minute Rhyl can count themselves unfortunate not to take the
lead when Lee Hunt's header struck the crossbar. Having survived the early
threat the home side then settled into their game and though the visitors
enjoyed a larger share of the possession they did not really threaten the
Porthmadog goal against a well organised defence. The only real save
Richard Harvey had to make was from a low shot by Connolly following a good
Rhyl build-up. Port in fact could have gone ahead in the 33rd minute,
following a Chris Evans corner, when Rhys Roberts's goal bound header had to
be scrambled off the line.
Early in the second period Porthmadog could have been punished for giving
the ball away in the Rhyl half of the field. The visitors broke quickly
putting Hunt through and though the forward held off a couple of challenges
his low shot slithered the wrong side of the upright. Soon after Harvey
saved well diving at Moran's feet. Rhyl continued to threaten and just after
the hour Connolly's curling free kick struck the cross bar before bouncing
to safety. That proved to be the closest the visitors would come to scoring
and as the game entered its final quarter it was Porthmadog who came closest
to scoring. In the 77th minute Jason Sadler broke on the left of the box but
his well struck shot drifted over the bar. Soon after Les Davies who had
come in for some heavy marking by the Rhyl defence turned well and shot but
straight at Gann. Then when Sadler swung across an 83rd minute corner met by
Ryan Davies hopes were raised of another late, late show but the shot flew
just wide. Two late Mike Foster free kicks gave the visitors a nervous
finale. From the first Jason Sadler narrowly failed to put a final touch to
Les Davies's flick on and then Sadler again from the second free kick was
unlucky to see his final touch drift tantalisingly wide of Gann's far post.
It will be all to play for at Belle Vue in a week's time but Rhyl will now
feel that they should be favourites to earn themselves a place in the final.
Port though failing to use the home advantage to put themselves in pole
position will no doubt feel that they are still in with a shout having kept
a clean sheet. The first legs of these games often prove to be tight nervy
affairs with neither side wishing to concede and this was the case tonight.
Porthmadog: Richard Harvey: John G Jones, Ryan Davies, Rhys Roberts, Mike
Foster: Gareth Caughter, Danny Hughes, Paul Friel, Chris Evans (Kevin
Roberts 64'): Carl Owen (Jason Sadler 69'), Les Davies.
Subs not used: Gareth Parry, Mark Cook, Adam Jones.
Rhyl: Gann, Powell (Dylan Owen 46'), Graves, Connolly, Horan. Moody, Hay,
Moran, Hunt, Murtagh, Wilson.
Subs not used: Cameron, Clampitt.
Referee: Kevin Parry. Attendance: 307.
Gareth Williams www.porthmadogfc.com
Principality Building Society, Welsh Premier -Saturday, November 25th.
CPD Porthmadog ... 4 Caersws ... 0
Gareth Parry 21'
Les Davies 29' 44'
Jason Sadler 41'
Porthmadog notched the long awaited victory, their first since the opening
day of the season when they defeated Welshpool. Four goals in the opening
half for the home side finished off this game as a contest. For once
Porthmadog took some of the many chances they have been creating and in fact
they could have been more than four goals up by the interval.
Despite the score line it was the visitors who started the livelier and with
the wind at their backs they forced several early corners and were unlucky
not to have gone ahead after only 9 minutes when Graham Jones supplied
Graham Evans whose shot from 15 yards struck the cross bar. This proved to
be something of a wake up call for the home side and after surviving the
pressure of the first 15 minutes they came into the game and could have gone
ahead after 19 minutes when a superb ball by Jason Sadler released Les
Davies but the striker's shot struck the side netting. But home supporters
did not have long to wait for the opener. Chris Evans's right wing corner
was poorly defended and Gareth Parry took advantage to nod the ball past
Mulliner. Two minutes later and Porthmadog could have been two up when Chris
Evans released Les Davies but once again the forward found the angle too
narrow and Mulliner did well to get a hand to Davies's chip.
Before the game had reached the half hour mark Porthmadog went deservedly
two up when Mike Foster, not for the first time, released the front men with
a quality through ball and this time Les Davies beat his marker and sent a
flashing shot inside Mulliner's far post. Port continued to dominate and it
was no surprise when they went further ahead. Jason Sadler was brought down
on the edge of the box as the visitors found life increasingly difficult.
Sadler himself took the free kick and curled his shot around the wall and
inside Mulliner's far post. A minute before the interval and Porthmadog were
four up with Mike Foster again providing the cross -this time surprisingly
enough with his right foot! Les Davies rose to head well clear of Mulliner
for his second of the game and his ninth of the season.
The second half proved to be something of an anti-climax for home supporters
as Porthmadog took their foot off the accelerator and did not add to their
score. Credit must be given to the visitors who stuck to their task
determined not to let the score line get out of hand and had sufficient
pride to continue their efforts to gain at least a consolation. In fact it
was the visitors who came closest to getting their names on the score sheet
first when Andrew Davies tested Harvey early in the second half and closest
of all when sub Chris Jones was unlucky to see his header strike an upright
following Mark Griffiths's right wing corner. The nearest the home side came
to adding to their first half tally came when Chris Evans fired wide after
receiving from John Gwynfor and late on Carl Owen tested Mulliner and then
again the keeper did well to cut out Kevin Roberts's dangerous cross.
Three points lift Porthmadog to 12th place and despite the fact that Caersws
were depleted by suspensions the home side will be well pleased that they
have at last been able to replicate cup form in the league. This win extends
Porthmadog's unbeaten run to an impressive seven games -a run which also
includes some notable scalps.
Porthmadog: Richard Harvey: John G Jones, Ryan Davies, Rhys Roberts, Mike
Foster: Richard Hughes (Danny Hughes 64'), Gareth Parry (Kevin Roberts 75'),
Paul Friel, Chris Evans, Jason Sadler, Les Davies (Carl Owen 69').
Yellow: Jason Sadler 83'
Caersws: Mulliner, Andrew Thomas, Grist, Reynolds, Clarke (Simon Jones 57'),
Grahan Jones (Chris Jones), Martin Plant (Ian Probert 46), Neil Mitchell,
Graham Evans, Mark Griffiths, Andrew Davies.
Yellow: Hugh Clarke 42' Attendance: 184
Referee: WA Tregonning.
Gareth Williams: www.porthmadogfc.com
FAW Premier Cup Round 2 -Tuesday, November 21st
CPD Porthmadog ... 2 Llanelli FC ...1
Jason Sadler 12' Wyn Thomas 82'
Ryan Davies 94'
Cup joy continues for Porthmadog for having dumped TNS out of the League Cup
a fortnight ago tonight they booked their place in the last eight of the
Premier Cup with a victory over the league's other professional outfit
thanks to a goal in the fourth minute of injury time by skipper Ryan Davies.
Llanelli slumped to their third consecutive defeat as Porthmadog once again
turned in an all round team performance to gain this last gasp win.
Gareth Caughter fired a Richard Hughes cross wide of the upright in the 6th
minute for the home team and Stuart Jones for the visitors flicked a neat
effort on to the roof of the net. With the early sparring over Porthmadog
struck with 12 minutes on the clock. Les Davies took advantage of some poor
defending to break into the box slipping the ball to Jason Sadler on the
left and the forward, despite the acute angle, beat Duncan Roberts with a
fine shot at his near post. Llanelli had a good opportunity to draw level
when Rhys Griffiths crossed from the left but Richard Harvey pulled of a
fine save to deny Craig Williams. Though they were forced back into defence
Porthmadog were still threatening on the break with Les Davies and Jason
Sadler testing out the home defence on a number of occasions. With half an
hour gone Harvey pulled off another good save to keep out Craig Williams.
With Port still a goal to the good Llanelli mounted their best period of
sustained pressure as half time drew near. They forced four corners in quick
succession but despite this Richard Harvey only had to make one serious save
and once again it was from dangerman Craig Williams.
Porthmadog started the second period well forcing two early corners but the
game was now end to end with John Gwynfor having to clear off his line and
then almost immediately Rhys Griffiths set up Corbisero but the shot was off
target. As play swung to the other end Les Davies saw his header from a Mike
Foster long ball also fly wide of the post. As in the opening period
excellent cover play by the quartet at the back and quick closing down in
midfield for Porthmadog kept Llanelli's opportunities to a minimum but it
was not entirely panic free as John Gwynfor was again forced to conjure the
ball off the goal line. With only ten minutes of normal time left Llanelli
pushed on and Porthmadog saw a lead which had survived from the 12th minute
finally yielded in the 82nd minute. Wyn Thomas pounced on Ryan Davies's
defensive header and crashed the ball back past Harvey from 18yards. The
visitors now scented victory and another Craig Williams free kick caused
panic and Harvey had to pull off another good save this time from sub James
Thomas. The part timers were not sitting back and waiting for extra time and
it was a credit to their fitness that they forced a 94th minute corner on
the left. Jason Sadler swung the ball over and skipper Ryan Davies took
advantage of the defensive panic to squeeze his shot into the net. The
celebrations could start and Porthmadog could look forward to another
attractive home fixture.
Congratulations to the players who provided an exciting contest but none for
the official, BBC or FAW, who decided that the fixture should be played on
the same night as the Champions League.
Porthmadog: Richard Harvey, John G Jones, Ryan Davies, Rhys Roberts, Mike
Foster: Richard Hughes (Danny Hughes 60') Gareth Parry, Paul Friel, Gareth
Caughter (Chris Evans 80'), Jason Sadler, Les Davies.
Subs not used: Mark Cook, Kevin Roberts, Ywain Gwynedd.
Llanelli: Duncan Roberts, Fernandez, Gary Lloyd (Nick Harry), Neil Thomas
(James Thomas 70'), Stuart Jones, Wyn Thomas, Lee Phillips, Corbisero, Rhys
Griffiths, Mingorance, Craig Williams.
Subs not used: Dale Griffiths, N. Sinfield.
Referee: Kevin Parry. Attendance: 170
Gareth Williams www.porthmadogfc.com
Principality Building Society, Welsh Premier -Saturday, November 18th
Carmarthen Town ... 1 CPD Porthmadog ...1
Kaid Mohammed 33' Kevin Roberts 89'
It took a late, late equaliser for Porthmadog to give themselves a deserved
share of the spoils at Richmond Road this afternoon. Carmarthen had held the
lead since the 33rd minute but this lead had looked very precarious as
Porthmadog applied the pressure in the second period.
The home side forced the early pace but the only real threat came when they
won a free kick on the edge of the box. This was cleared and after 10
minutes had passed Port came more into the game with Carl Owen and Richard
Hughes having shots blocked and it also took some good defensive work by
Dodds to keep out Les Davies. Les Davies again threatened near the 20 minute
mark when he broke through a couple of tackles but then failed to get enough
power on his finish. Carmarthen had their first real shot on goal after 25
minutes when Kris Thomas fired over the bar from 20 yards. This was followed
by another long range effort from Mohammed but it went straight to Harvey in
the Porthmadog goal. The home side continued to push forward and it took a
good save by Richard Harvey to deny Ramasut from 20 yards after a free-kick
had been partially cleared.
Thirty three minutes had gone when Carmarthen won a corner on the left.
Sacha Walters lifted a dangerous looking corner across and Kaid Mohamed
finished from close range at the far post. This was a major disappointment
for Port whose goal had not been under threat and doubly so for, despite
their otherwise excellent defending, they have conceded a goal from a corner
in each of their last three games. Les Davies looked set to equalise almost
immediately as he burst through in typical fashion but was unfortunate to
see his low shot flash the wrong side of the post. Just before half-time
another Les Davies run threatened but this time he squared the ball for
Richard Hughes who also saw his well struck effort go narrowly past the
upright.
Carl Owen had to be withdrawn at half-time and was replaced by Jason Sadler.
A goal behind the visitors pushed forward more in the second period and
early on Richard Hughes came close with a couple of headers before Gareth
Caughter cut inside from the right and flashed a shot across the face of
goal. The visitors were now applying the pressure and some of the home
side's passing suffered as they failed to gain relief from these sustained
attacks. Port then introduced two wide players, Kevin Roberts and Chris
Evans, who added to the home side's problems. Eventually however Carmarthen
did break out and seemed determined to settle the game and their nerves with
a second goal. At this stage Porthmadog have Richard Harvey to thank for
keeping them in the game with a series of excellent saves. The first of
these on 78' was a pure reflex save to hold on to Mohamed's brilliant flick
which looked certain to turn Cotterall's left wing cross into the net. A
minute later he flung himself to his right to divert Sacha Walters' snap
shot round the post and then again two minutes further on he did well at his
near post keeping out Cotterall's effort.
Having weathered this storm Porthmadog struck back and with 89'on the clock
Mike Foster hoisted a high ball into the box and Richard Hughes's flick-on
found Kevin Roberts in space on the right of the box and the young winger
picked his spot firing low past Neil Thomas to give Porthmadog a point which
on the overall play was the least they deserved. Having been on the
receiving end of a late equaliser last Saturday it was a good feeling to be
the beneficiaries on this occasion.
Carmarthen: Neil Thomas, Terry Evans, Deryn Brace, Craig Lima, Mark Dodds,
Kris Thomas, Danny Thomas, Tom Ramasut, Sacha Walters, Kaid Mohammed (Mattie
Davies 89'), Nathan Cotterall.
Subs not used: Fleming, Fowler, Butler Stephens. Yellow: Ramasut 12'
Porthmadog: Richard Harvey: John G Jones, Ryan Davies, Rhys Roberts, Mike
Foster: Richard Hughes, Gareth Parry, Paul Friel (Kevin Roberts 74') Gareth
Caughter (Chris Evans 73'): Carl Owen (Jason Sadler 45'), Les Davies.
Yellow: Jason Sadler 71'. Attendance: 318.
Gareth Williams www.porthmadogfc.com
Principality Building Society, Welsh Premier -Saturday, November 11th.
CPD Porthmadog ...1 Bangor City ...1
Les Davies 55' Marc L Williams 89'
It was a case of snatching a draw from the jaws of victory for Porthmadog
today as they allowed Bangor back into the game in the last ten minutes
inexplicably deciding to defend deeply after totally dominating the second
half of the game. Inevitably it was Marc Lloyd Williams, making little
impression until that moment, who grabbed an 89th minute equaliser to level
the scores.
There was little to commend in a first half which was seriously affected by
the strong blustery wind. It was the visitors had the wind at their backs in
the opening half. Bangor though seemed unable to take advantage of the wind
over hitting a series of long balls which came to nothing. In fact 12
minutes had passed before we had a single shot on goal and that came from
Walsh for Bangor but caused few problems for home keeper Richard Harvey.
Port came closest to opening the scoring after half an hour when Ian Harvard
did well to tip Ryan Davies's goal bound header over the bar. At the other
end Richard Harvey pulled off a good save to keep out an angled shot from
Marc Lloyd Williams. Half time arrived and it was little surprise that the
game remained scoreless.
From the start of the second period Porthmadog seemed determined to make
better use of the elements. Only a minute had gone when Gareth Parry rattled
the Bangor cross bar with a thunderbolt from 25yards. Bangor retaliated with
a speculative long distance effort from Killacky which drew a good save from
Harvey. Then it was all Porthmadog. First Chris Evans fired narrowly wide
and then Les Davies on 55' put the home side ahead. After Harvard had
initially pulled off a good save it was Davies who reacted first to put the
ball in the net from close range. Port continued to dominate and a second
goal looked inevitable but despite good build up often involving Les Davies
Jason Sadler and Gareth Parry the final pass did not materialise. The
introduction of Carl Owen further stretched the visitors' defence and from
one of his supplies Gareth Parry fired narrowly wide. Then with victory
seeming inevitable the home side took their foot of the pedal reversed the
tactics which had served them well and withdrew into deep defensive
positions. This only served to encourage the visitors and they sensed that
there might be something for them after all. Carl Jones tested Harvey at his
near post and then with only a minute of the ninety left Kevin Scott swung
across the right wing corner which provided Marc Lloyd Williams with just
enough room to find the net.
There was only time left for Les Davies to earn a yellow card from finicky
referee Kerry Morgan. Another case of two points lost for Port who now face
a difficult match away at Carmarthen still looking to repeat cup form in the
league.
Porthmadog: Richard Harvey, John G. Jones, Ryan Davies, Rhys Roberts, Mike
Foster: Kevin Roberts (Gareth Caughter 67'), Gareth Parry, Paul Friel, Chris
Evans (Richard Hughes 81'), Jason Sadler (Carl Owen 71'), Les Davies.
Yellow: Gareth Parry, Les Davies.
Bangor: Harvard, Blackmore, Beattie, Killacky (McGuiness 73'), Webber,
Scott, ML Williams, Stott (Carl Jones 81'), P. Roberts, Jacobs, Walsh.
Referee: Kerry Morgan Attendance: 324
Gareth Williams www.porthmadogfc.com
