Principality Building Society Welsh Premier -Saturday, April 28th.
Llanelli AFC ...5 CPD Porthmadog ... 0
Jacob Mignorance 35,66.
Rhys Griffiths 61,70,80.
Llanelli continued their recent excellent unbeaten run to secure the three
points which gives them a place in the Intertoto Cup. This meant that
Porthmadog suffered their first ever league defeat at Stebonheath with the
home side turning in a superb second half performance. Jacob Mignorance and
Rhys Griffiths proved to be the destroyers on the day. Griffiths completed a
second half hat trick while Mignorance scored one in each half. Port's day
had started badly with Rhys Roberts, Danny Hughes and Carl Jones having to
withdraw on the morning of the match which left them with Mark Cook as their
only substitute.
Llanelli piled on the early pressure but John Gwynfor Jones was in the right
place to cut out Corbisero's cross after 4 minutes at the expense of a
corner. Other early threats came when Mignorance headed wide and Belle
blasted over the bar from distance. Despite the Llanelli pressure Harvey was
not often called into action but he needed to be at his best after 13
minutes to keep out Mignorance at his near post and soon after John Gwynfor
Jones was again well positioned to head away Lee Phillips's dangerous cross.
Porthmadog relied on counter attacks for their occasional bursts into
opposition territory. On one of these Duncan Roberts had to dive full length
to turn away a powerful Les Davies effort from 18 yards. Around the 20
minute mark Llanelli forced a series of corners but were unable to make them
count. Mumford hit the outside of the upright with a good effort and the
goal eventually came after 35 minutes and it was Mumford who played a low
ball into the box for Mignorance to react quickly and turn it past Harvey
from close range. The home side held a goal lead to the interval.
Early in the second period Roberts saved well from Blackmore following a
well worked move by the visitors and soon after Caughter tested Roberts
again with a shot from distance. But, after 61 minutes came the vital second
goal. Rhys Griffiths, at the near post, took advantage of a quality cross
from Gary Lloyd to score from close range. It took them only five more
minutes to add a third with Griffiths turning supplier for Mignorance to
fire low from 15 yards. It was now one way traffic and a fourth goal came in
the 70th minute with Gary Lloyd this time crossing to the far post and Rhys
Griffiths rose to head past Harvey. Griffiths went on to complete his hat
trick in the 80th minute this time beating Harvey from close range at his
near post after receiving from Mignorance. Late on Port's best effort came
following a typical Les Davies break but his powerful shot was well kept out
by Gareth Williams the home side's substitute keeper. A glancing header wide
of the mark by Marcus Orlik and all that was left was the referee's final
whistle, the Llanelli celebrations and a long journey northwards. 2007-08
beckons.
Llanelli: Duncan Roberts (Gareth Williams 58'), Lee Phillips (Neil Thomas
71') Gary Lloyd, Antonio Corbisero, Andrew Mumford (Fernandez 71'), Wyn
Thomas, Stuart Jones, Cortez Belle, Rhys Griffiths, Jacob Mignorance, Nick
Palmer.
Porthmadog: Richard Harvey, John G Jones, Ryan Davies, Mike Foster, Aled
Rowlands: Gareth Caughter, Richard Hughes, Clayton Blackmore (Mark Cook
68'): Jason Sadler, Marcus Orlik, Les Davies. Yellow: Gareth Caughter 25'
Referee: Phil Southall. Attendance: 404
Gareth Williams
Principality Building Society, Welsh Premier - Saturday, April 21st
CPD Porthmadog ...1 Port Talbot Town ... 1
Richard Hughes 26' Scott Barrow 11'
Two goals in the first quarter of the game ensured that this rather
lacklustre game ended in a draw -Porthmadog's 11th of the season. In the end
neither side can feel hard done by following this result.
The visitors were gifted a goal after only eleven minutes when Ryan Davies
under hit his back pass leaving keeper Richard Harvey in no man's land.
Despite his best efforts Harvey failed to keep out Scott Barrow who could
not be denied a simple tap in, into an empty net. Rose was soon in the
action again with a header into the side netting. But Port's kamikaze
defending was not over and after 23 minutes it was Danny Hughes who put his
keeper under extreme pressure. This time Harvey dived bravely at Rose's feet
to avert a dangerous situation. But after 26 minutes the home side redeemed
themselves when Richard Hughes race on to a well directed Sadler flick and
lifted a fine 15 yard shot over keeper Kristian Rogers to bring the scores
level. The goal marked something of a turning point and Port went on to
control the remainder of the half. De Vulgt under pressure from Orlik
scrambled the ball clear for corner. Ryan Davies then came very close to
putting Porthmadog in front when he rose to meet Jason Sadler's corner and
thundered a header against the cross bar and from the rebound the skipper's
shot had to be cleared off the line by Hanford. Porthmadog continued to
threaten with shots from Orlik and Les Davies which were saved by Rogers but
just before the interval Harvey saved well from Barrow.
Less than ten minutes into the second half Richard Harvey had to pull off
two excellent saves first diverting a Williams shot over the bar and a
minute later he got up well to push Rose's goal bound header for a corner.
Barrow fired across the face of goal before Port got themselves back in the
game. Just after the hour mark Richard Hughes put Marcus Orlik through but
the forward's shot lacked power. A minute later and Gareth Caughter, making
his 100th WPL appearance, almost had cause for a double celebration when he
was unlucky to see his 20 yard effort dip just over the bar. Neither side
was really dominating but there could have been goals at either end. Sub
Chad Bond rattled the cross bar for Port Talbot soon after coming on and
with time running out Les Davies with the neatest of flicks put Marcus Orlik
in behind the defence but the striker was forced wide and Rogers was able to
save at his near post.
In the end a draw was probably a fair result with neither side deserving to
take all three points. This means that Porthmadog with one game to go
against Llanelli must hope that Carmarthen can win the Welsh Cup Final
against Afan Lido and that 11th place is good enough to secure entry to the
Premier Cup.
Porthmadog: Richard Harvey, John G Jones (Geraint Mitchell 73'), Ryan Davies
(Capt), Rhys Roberts, Aled Rowlands (Mike Foster 85'): Gareth Caughter (Carl
Jones 73'), Richard Hughes, Danny Hughes, Les Davies: Jason Sadler, Marcus
Orlik. Yellow: Ryan davies 70'
Port Talbot: Rogers, Blain, De Vulgt, Hanford, Matthew Rees (Capt),Burrows,
Lee John, Dane Williams (Bond 83'), Rose, Wellington, Barrow.
Subs not used: Surman, Hooper. Yellow: Martin Rose 70'
Referee: K J Parry (Llanfairpwll) Mascot: Ifan Price Cricieth.
Attendance: 178
Gareth Williams
Principality Building Society, Welsh Premier -Tuesday, April 17th
CPD Porthmadog ...0 Haverfordwest County ...3
Jack Christopher 29', 58'.
Chris O'Sullivan 60'
Haverfordwest must really enjoy their visits to Porthmadog as they repeated
the success of their last three visits by running out clear winners in this
battle for the 10th Premier Cup spot. It was Porthmadog who went into this
game as the form team with three straight wins while Haverfordwest have
suffered of late. While Porthmadog enjoyed more of the possession they could
not match the accurate passing and clinical finishing of the visitors. With
Haverfordwest having gone in at the interval one goal to the good the game
was decided when they scored twice in as many minutes near the hour mark.
This together with a missed Porthmadog penalty meant that the visitors were
able to coast to victory in the closing stages.
The partnership of O'Sullivan and Christopher, which had such an influence
on the game, gave notice of intent after only two minutes when Christopher
went close following an O'Sullivan corner. Both sides had their moments
early on. Marcus Orlik tested Kendall with a neat flicked header and again
with a low shot from 18 yards while Carl Jones was unlucky to see his drive
deflected for a corner. At the Port end John Gwynfor did well to cover and
head O'Sullivan's dangerous cross away to safety. Though Port were enjoying
the territorial advantage forcing a series of corners it was Haverfordwest
who went ahead when Christopher got ahead of his marker and flicked
O'Sullivan's excellent early cross goal wards. Though Harvey got a hand to
it he could not keep it out. Sadler immediately struck back with a powerful
shot from 25 yards but Kendall pulled off another good save. The keeper
again did well to touch Ryan Davies's header over the bar. O'Sullivan was
then in the action as a defender clearing Rhys Roberts's header off his
line. The visitors held the goal lead at the interval.
Porthmadog came looking for the equaliser in the second period and Marcus
Orlik came close after 57' with an overhead kick which only narrowly cleared
the bar. A minute later and Haverfordwest scored the first of two goals
which settled the game. Inevitably it was an O'Sullivan supply picking up a
loose ball near the right touchline and hitting a perfect pass for
Christopher again to head beyond Richard Harvey. Two minutes on and Port's
fate was more or less sealed when O'Sullivan struck a superb swerving 25
yard free kick past Harvey. Porthmadog still dominating territorially came
close to scoring when Kendall flung himself full stretch to push out a well
struck free kick from Les Davies. Port were given a final chance to get back
into the game when Kendall fouled Orlik in the box but Sadler struck his
spot kick well over the bar. Though play remained mainly in the visitors
half Christopher showed his opportunism again forcing Harvey to touch a long
range effort over the bar. Though Port forced another series of corners
towards the end it was the Pembrokeshire club's night and they fully
deserved the three points.
Porthmadog: Richard Harvey, John G Jones, Ryan Davies, Rhys Roberts, Aled
Rowlands (Geraint Mitchell 69'): Carl Jones, Richard Hughes (Gareth Caughter
69'), Danny Hughes, Les Davies (Iwan Williams 69'): Jason Sadler, Marcus
Orlik.
Subs: Otten, Heal, Briers, Gryka.
Yellow: Ryan Davies 59'
Kendall, Durham, Wayne Jones, Gilderdale, Elliott, Cattlin, O'Sullivan,
Hicks, Christopher, Coates, Hudgell.
Yellow: Kendall 65', Christopher 81'
Referee: Rob Duncan (Ellesmere) Attendance: 157
Gareth Williams
Principality Building Society, Welsh Premier -Saturday, April 14th
Cwmbran Town ... 2 CPD Porthmadog ... 3
Sam Small 11' Clayton Blackmore 43'
Geraint Goodridge 82' Marcus Orlik 61'
Les Davies 64'
Two goals for Porthmadog in the space of three minutes just after the hour
mark proved to be the decisive period in a match played on a rock hard pitch
in soaring temperatures. This came after scores had been level at the
interval and meant that the visitors, despite having a bit of a wobble late
on when Geraint Goodridge reduced the Port lead, could record their third
straight win to lift them into 10th place in the table.
Cwmbran knew that a win was vital if they wanted to secure another season of
WPL football at the Cwmbran Stadium. This more or less dictated the tactics
of the match. The home side kept things very simple closing down quickly and
using the high ball to keep the visitors defence under pressure. This proved
to be quite successful in the first half for apart from a Clayton Blackmore
header which flew the wrong side of the upright after only two minutes it
was the home side who looked the more likely to score. In the ninth minute
Shane Dawe's 30 yard free kick shaved the cross bar and only two minutes
later Cwmbran were ahead. The Port defence was caught square as Houston's
header put the ball behind the defence for the dangerous Sam Small to run on
and score with a low shot from 15 yards. The home side continued to threaten
as the high ball ruled with both midfields being by passed. Martin Houston
latched on to a header over the defence and Richard Harvey did well to turn
his useful shot round the post. Daniel Clare, following a corner, and later
Luke Sallis came close with low shots narrowly off target.
While this went on Port's only threat came from Rhys Roberts's header
narrowly wide from a corner. But towards the end of the half Porthmadog
began to get a better grip on the game forcing Cwmbran back onto the
defensive with Orlik, Sadler and Danny Hughes combining well. They won a
series of corners as the home side struggled to clear. With two minutes of
the half left Clayton Blackmore scored the equaliser surprising the home
defence with a swerving corner which Wesson could only push on to the
underside of the bar and then over the line.
Port should have gone ahead after 57'when Marcus Orlik had a relatively easy
opportunity but he soon made amends fastening on to John Gwynfor's excellent
through ball on 61' and raced on to score from 15 yards for his third goal
in two games. Only three minutes later and Port were 3-1 up when Les Davies
got behind the home defence to take advantage of brother Ryan's high ball
over the defence before rounding keeper Wesson to score. Porthmadog were now
in complete charge and could have gone on to add to their goals tally but
having failed to do so were caught hesitating at the back and Geraint
Goodridge took advantage to score from close range with eight minutes left.
This gave Port a tense final period especially when Goodridge threatened
again but this time his 85th minute header went the wrong side of the post.
Three wins in April have put Port in with a chance of securing 10th spot and
a Premier Cup place. On Tuesday they entertain Haverfordwest placed 11th so
an interesting and important tussle is in prospect.
Cwmbran: Wesson, Rhys Williams, Wysome, Clare, Josh Collins, Goodridge,
Sallis (Jason Davies 68'), Shane Dawe, Sam Small Houston (Christian Hanbury
72'), Ben Evans (Drew Sherman 81')
Subs not used Prangley (y), Patel (y) Yellow: Goodridge 65', Collins
67'Wysome 78'.
Porthmadog: Richard Harvey, John G Jones, Ryan Davies, Rhys Roberts, Aled
Rowlands: Danny Hughes, Richard Hughes, Clayton Blackmore (Gareth Caughter
72'):Jason Sadler, Marcus Orlik (Carl Jones 68')
Subs not used: Mike Foster, Geraint Mitchell.
Referee: Paul Thomas (Rhondda). Attendance: 105
Gareth Williams
Principality Building Society, Welsh Premier -Monday, April 9th
CPD Porthmadog ...3 Carmarthen ...0
Marcus Orlik 31'
Clayton Blackmore 68'
Marcus Orlik 85'
The deep gloom that had descended over the Traeth before last Tuesday's game
against Connah's Quay had lifted to some degree by kick off time today.
First there was the decision to go to arbitration, followed by the three
points at Caersws, then the magnificent support of fellow WPL clubs and
suddenly Mr Collins no longer seemed as all-powerful as we at first feared.
To cap it all the team went out and gave what was arguably, their best
league ninety minutes of the season totally dominating Carmarthen from start
to finish.
Marcus Orlik has suggested in a couple of cameo performances that he can
deliver the goods at this level. He came on for the limping Carl Owen after
half an hour and with his first kick of the game struck the goal which Port
had been threatening from the very start. He went on to add a second five
minutes from time and in between Clayton Blackmore delighted the crowd with
a fine finish. Carmarthen were outplayed as Porthmadog's changed formation
with Blackmore, Danny Hughes and Richard Hughes in midfield winning the
lion's share of the ball and distributing it accurately. All of which meant
that Port were controlling affairs throughout. Carl Owen struck the post
after only two minutes and though most of the early pressure came from the
home side Carmarthen's best chance came in the 21' when Terry Evans shot
over the bar when well placed. Less than a minute after his introduction
Marcus Orlik steadied home nerves, coolly fired past Delve. Les Davies did
the spade work dispossessing Kris Thomas down the left and his accurate
cross gave Orlik the time and space he needed. Les himself almost got his
name on the score sheet with a typical volley from 25' which screamed
narrowly past Delve's right hand post. Evans for Carmarthen came close at
the far post following a Walters free kick. But as half time beckoned it was
Delve in action again scrambling the ball for a corner under heavy pressure
from Orlik and Blackmore.
A minute into the second half and a Clayton Blackmore header flew narrowly
the wrong side of the post. Dodds put his header straight at Harvey which
was just about the only save the Port keeper had to make throughout the
second half. Then just as the home supporters were getting ready for another
long defence of a single goal advantage, Clayton Blackmore struck. Les
Davies was again instrumental putting Sadler away with a pass inside his
marker and Sadler cut in and crossed for Blackmore to score with a curler
which ended in the top corner of the net. It was all Porthmadog now and Ryan
Davies went close with a powerful header from a corner. It was no surprise
when Orlik added a third and for the third time in the afternoon Les Davies
had a hand in the goal. He burst down the left holding off Kris Thomas's
challenge and his well placed cross gave Orlik the time and space to score
his second. Two minutes later and Arwel Evans could have scored with his
first action in a WPL game. A fine pass by Orlik set him up, but Delve
diving full length managed to parry the shot round the post.
A six point haul over Easter has certainly eased the relegation worries and
once again Porthmadog can think of a Premier Cup place next season.
Porthmadog: Richard Harvey: John G Jones, Ryan Davies, Rhys Roberts, Aled
Rowlands: Jason Sadler, Danny Hughes, Richard Hughes, Clayton Blackmore:
Carl Owen(Marcus Orlik 30'), Les Davies(Mark Cooke 88')
Sub not used: Iwan Williams, Iestyn Woolway. Yellow: Rhys Roberts 12' Ryan
Davies 50'
Carmarthen: Delve, Terry Evans(Bell 77'), Keddle(Hancock 77'), Walters,
Dodds, Kris Thomas, Danny Thomas(Mattie Davies 57'), Ramasut, Fowler, Kaid
Mohammed, Cotterall.
Sub not used: Ashley Williams(GK) Yellow: Ramasut 27, Keddle 28', Walters
35.'
Referee: Simon Jones. Attendance: 247.
Gareth Williams
Principality Building Society, Welsh Premier -Saturday, April 7th
Caersws ... 0 Porthmadog ...1
Jason Sadler 21'
A single goal 21' minutes into the game by Jason Sadler was enough to secure
the double for Porthmadog over their Mid Wales rivals in this relegation
battle at the Recreation Ground. This was a game where the result mattered
more than the quality of the performance, which was just as well as the game
rarely rose above the mediocre on a bone hard pitch. It was the proverbial
game of two halves with the visitors looking the better side in the first
half and deserving to be ahead at the interval. In the second half it was
Caersws who looked the more likely to score with Port tending to defend
deeply and conceded possession in the middle of the park.
Both sides had difficulty controlling the ball in the conditions and when
Carl Owen was well placed after only 7' the ball took a wicked bounce and
the chance was lost. Port continued to enjoy most of the attacking and Les
Davies fired wide from distance after 10'. Caersws hit back forcing a couple
of right wing corners but with 21' on the clock the visitors took the lead.
The goal was a good one and resulted form what was probably the best move of
the match. Danny Hughes found Aled Rowlands free on the left and Rowlands
with a well judged pass found Carl Owen bursting into the box. The striker
fired across the advancing Mulliner who did well to palm it away, but Jason
Sadler raced in on the blind side and showed his striking qualities finding
the net with a quality finish from a narrow angle. Port deserved their lead
and continued to make the running through the power of Les Davies and the
pace and hard running of Carl Owen who was unlucky when his overhead kick
flew wide. The nearest the home side came to scoring was when Chris Venables
sent a curling free kick just wide of the angle near the interval.
Caersws could have drawn level after 51' when Lloyd Grist glanced
Birmingham's well hit cross, narrowly past Harvey's right hand post. Caersws
were enjoying a good spell at this stage and soon after Colin Reynolds
headed wide following a Grist corner. Yet another header this time from Andy
Davies went across the face of goal. A couple of times skipper Ryan Davies
had to concede corners under pressure. With Port conceding the centre of the
field the home side looked the more likely to score with Graham Evans
successfully pulling the strings. Neil Mitchell fired over after a throw on
the right. Harvey was also in action pulling off a couple of good saves in a
crowded penalty area, and once had to punch clear under pressure. Gradually
Porthmadog weathered the storm thanks in no small measure to cool
performances at the back by John Gwynfor and Mike Foster. Twice near the end
Jason Sadler threatened for the visitors once forcing Mulliner to back pedal
and punch a 30 yard effort over the bar. In injury time he got behind the
Caersws defence but delayed his finish and Mulliner rushed out to clear.
It was a relief for Port supporters to hear the final whistle with the
precious three points safely gathered in. This win assumed even greater
importance as news filtered through of Caernarfon's good win and Newi's
point at home against Haverfordwest. No time to relax however as Carmarthen
visit the Traeth on Monday but Rhys Roberts and Clayton Blackmore should be
available for this game.
Caersws: Andy Mulliner, Andrew Thomas, Lloyd Grist, Colin Reynolds, Jack
Bermingham (Damien Currier 60'), Graham Jones, Chris Venables, Neil
Mitchell, Graham Evans, Andy Davies, Geraint Lewis (Mark Griffiths 70').
Subs not used: Ian Probert Yellow: Damien Currier 71'
Porthmadog: Richard Harvey; John G Jones, Ryan Davies, Geraint Mitchell,
Mike Foster: Jason Sadler, Danny Hughes, Gareth Caughter(Richard Hughes
46'), Aled Rowlands: Carl Owen, Les Davies (Marcus Orlik 89').
Sub not used: Iwan Williams
Referee: Brian James Attendance: 182
Gareth Williams.
Principality Building Society, Welsh Premier -Tuesday, April 3rd
CPD Porthmadog ... 1 Connah's Quay ...2
Les Davies 52' Christian Sergeant 14'
Tommy Mutton 47'
These have been an horrendous few days for the Porthmadog club and its
supporters, so much so that even a defeat at the hands of 4th placed Nomads
could only marginally add to the gloom which had already enveloped the
Traeth like a thick blanket. Christian Sergeant opened the scoring after 14'
and was influential in the other goal which came straight after the
interval. Porthmadog fought back after 52'and looked in with a good chance
of levelling matters when disaster struck again. Hugh Jones who had
controlled matters coolly without much card waving, suddenly lost his cool
and showed young Carl Jones a red card for dissent and for the second game
running Port had to finish the game with ten men.
Both sides had to contend with a blustery wind and a hard dry pitch which
suited the visitors' simple game of closing down the opposition and counter
attacking quickly catching Port on the break. Despite enjoying most of the
possession in the first half Porthmadog failed to test Smith the Nomads'
keeper and it was Richard Harvey who was the busier of the two keepers.
Sergeant gave warning after only 8' that he could have an influence on the
game when he forced Harvey into a fine diving save with a cracker from 25
yards. Another chance came his way six minutes later, when a quickly taken
free kick caught the Port defence napping. Sergeant's powerful low shot beat
Harvey just inside his right hand post. Porthmadog had their chances Orlik
put Carl Owen through but the forward's shot did not trouble Smith. Then
Smith had a real piece of action when he did well to block Les Davies who
was bearing down on goal after anticipating a back pass. Davies created an
opening for Orlik but the low shot was deflected for a corner. The best of
Port's chances fell to Carl Owen put through by Les Davies but his finish
was wayward. The Nomads' tenacious play often created panic in the Port
ranks and from one of these Ryan Davies had to clear off his line.
A minute into the second period and the Nomads' struck again. Richard Harvey
had to dive full length to push away another Craig Sergeant effort but the
alert Tommy Mutton was on hand to tap in the rebound. Port heads, however,
did not go down and after 52' they had cut the arrears thanks to Les Davies,
who acrobatically turned a Carl Owen cross past Smith. Port looked as though
they might get something from the game. Smith scrambled Caughter's shot
round the post and Jellicoe did well to frustrate Les Davies in full flight
breaking into the box. But Harvey was also in action saving well at his near
post from Molyneux and Sergeant cracked another shot just over the bar. With
five minutes left came a bizarre series of events as in quick succession
Harvey saved well, Mitchell cleared off his line and another shot struck the
bar but somehow the Port goal survived.
These are hard times at the Traeth and a point tonight would have helped to
secure safety. The game at Caersws now becomes vitally important with
turning pressure into goals again proving an issue. The Nomads on the other
hand have three more valuable points to push for third place.
Porthmadog: Richard Harvey: John G Jones, Ryan Davies, Geraint Mitchell,
Mike Foster: Marcus Orlik(Jason Sadler 74'), Danny Hughes, Gareth Caughter,
Carl Jones: Carl Owen, Les Davies.
Subs not used: Richard Hughes, Aled Rowlands.
Yellow: John G Jones 74' Red: Carl Jones 82'
Connah's Quay: Smith, Swanick (Roche 46'), Chris Williams, Sergeant, Pinch
(Melia 76'), Jellicoe, Limbert, Garside, Mutton, Molyneux (Carvill 89')
Referee: Hugh Jones (Morda) Attendance: 162
Gareth Williams
