Huws Gray Alliance -Saturday, 30 October 2010.
Welshpool Town ... 4 CPD Porthmadog ... 5
Lee McElmill 7' 89' Marcus Orlik 22', 26' 90'
Dan Tolley 66' Paul Roberts 47' 59'
Andy Webb 73'(p)
We should never be surprised at the ability of the funny old game to
surprise us. After an hour, and having totally dominated the game up to that
point, Porthmadog were cruising with a 4-1 lead. Who at that stage would
have predicted a nail biting finish? But in the end Port needed an added
time goal by Marcus Orlik to get out of gaol and snatch a victory. A mixture
of poor defending, strange refereeing decisions and a determined fight back
left Port reeling and very relieved when referee Martin Williams blew the
final whistle.
Port started well passing the ball around confidently and after five minutes
keeper David Jones came off his line well to cut out a Cai Jones cross. But
with 7 minutes on the clock travelling supporters were stunned when, totally
against the run of play, the home side went ahead. Webb played a hopeful
ball in from the left but home forward Lee McElmeel was the first to react
and fired past Richard Harvey unchallenged. Port took a little time to
recover from the shock and though in possession for much of the time did not
really threaten until after 17 minutes David Jones saved under pressure from
Iwan Williams. Then after 22 minutes came the equaliser, when Paul Roberts,
who had looked a threat from the start, slipped a perfect through ball for
Marcus Orlik to run on to. The forward then coolly slotted the ball past the
advancing Jones. It needed only four more minutes and Port were ahead. Paul
Roberts again was the supplier, running on to a good ball played into space
by Rhys Roberts. The striker rode a tackle before crossing low to the back
post giving Marcus Orlik a simple tap in. Though Port continued to dominate
they failed to turn pressure into goal chances. Welshpool hardly threatened
but just before half -time Richard Harvey needed to be alert tipping over
the bar a smart header from the tall figure of Chris Barker. 2-1 was hardly
a reflection of the play in the opening half.
Port struck two minutes after the interval when previous supplier Paul
Roberts deservedly got his name on the score sheet. He got in behind the
defence and, though David Jones did well to save his initial close range
shot, Paul made sure heading the rebound past the stranded Jones. Roberts
was now a constant threat and David Jones did well rushing out to save at
the striker's feet. We did not have to wait long for the Port fourth and
when Rhys Roberts rose to head a Foster free kick back into the goal mouth,
Paul Roberts was on hand to send a rasping shot through the crowded box to
score and give the score line, at 4-1, a more realistic appearance. But what
was to happen next could hardly have been predicted. On 66 minutes, and with
Richard Harvey down in the box, the ball was lobbed towards the unguarded
goal. Back was Mike Foster whose header struck the bar and sub Dan Tolley
was in to head into an empty goal. 4-2 but there was no real thought of
danger for Port. Then referee Martin Williams entered the fray surprising
everyone by waving a yellow card at Rhys Roberts for an alleged shirt pull
at a corner from the left. He then pointed to the penalty spot. Andy Webb
stepped up sending his left foot penalty wide of Richard Harvey's left hand.
4-3 now it really was game on. The home side now raised their game and
suddenly they were first to the loose ball and Port's play lost its
confidence and composure. Passes started going astray and the ball was in
the Port net again -but fortunately the linesman's flag was up. Then with a
minute left the Port defence was caught expecting another offside decision.
Lee McElmill could hardly believe his luck in space and lifting his shot
over Richard Harvey. 4-4 but there was an unlikely sixth goal in this
amazing second half. Paul Roberts, who had been involved in the four Port
goals, was involved again in a fifth. He broke into the box on the right and
cut the ball back for Marcus Orlik to fire the winner from 12 yards,
completing his hat trick. Port had taken the three points they deserved and
that despite Welshpool's unlikely fight back.
Porthmadog: Richard Harvey, Dan Pyrs, Mike Foster, Ryan Davies (Gareth Owen
64'), Rhys Roberts, Richie Owen, Jack Jones, Cai Jones (Jamie McDaid 64'),
Paul Roberts, Marcus Orlik, Iwan Williams. Subs not used: Darren Jones,
Barry Evans, Geraint Mitchell. Yellow: Rhys Roberts 72', Jack Jones 75'.
Welshpool: Dave Jones, Scott Jones (Zac Manhire 63'), Paul Dowridge, Chris
Barker, John Harris, James Neill (George Clifton 85'), Tommy Lewis, Lee
McElmeel, Steve Tomkins (Dan Tolley 61'), Scott Bright, Andy Webb. Yellow:
Tommy Lewis 36', Scott Jones 58'
Referee: Martin Williams (Wrexham) Attendance: 74.
North Wales Challenge Cup Round 1 -Wednesday, 27 October.
Caernarfon Town ... 2 CPD Porthmadog ... 4
Kevin Lloyd 26' Paul Roberts 5' 18'(p), 70'
Dylan Owen 73' Jonathan Sadler 53'(p)
Challenge Cup holders Porthmadog successfully negotiated the first hurdle in
their attempt to keep their hands on the trophy. Though they gave the
impression, with two goals in the first 20 minutes, that this would be a
comfortable outing for them they found that once they took their foot off
the pedal it was to prove difficult to regain the early momentum. Caernarfon
were more than ready to take advantage of this and for the rest of the
evening made life difficult for Port.
The visitors were indebted to Paul Roberts whose hat trick proved decisive.
He opened his account after only five minutes. He turned well after
receiving Mike Foster's throw-in, creating space for himself and beating the
keeper from the edge of the box. His second came after 18 minutes when he
found the corner of the net from the penalty spot. He had to wait until the
70th minute to complete his hat trick scoring from close range after Richie
Owen's initial shot took a deflection into Paul's path.
Two up after 20 minutes Port relaxed and Caernarfon used the strong wind on
their backs to good effect and though caught offside on numerous occasions
they took advantage of Port's high defensive line to cause several moments
of panic. It was no surprise when a good break led to an accurate cross from
the right and Kevin Lloyd scored with an excellent far post header. It could
have been level but for a top quality save by Richard Harvey diving to his
right to keep out a well hit free kick. The score was 1-2 at the interval.
There was a second penalty eight minutes into the second half when Gareth
Parry was brought down in the box. Jonathan Sadler stepped up to score from
the spot for 3-1. Unfortunately the continued protests against the penalty
decision led to the dismissal of Kevin Lloyd. Despite being down to 10 men
Caernarfon continued to battle away but Paul Roberts third made the score
4-1. But the score became 4-2 shortly after when for the third time in the
match the referee pointed the spot and Dylan Owen converted for the home
side. In the final 15 minutes Port seemed to regain their composure and
Jamie McDaid in particular threatened the home defence with some good runs.
The closest Port came to their fifth goal was when a Cai Jones header
thudded against the bar from close range.
Porthmadog: Richard Harvey, Euron Roberts, Mike Foster, Gareth Owen, Ryan
Davies, Jack Jones, Richie Owen (Iwan Williams), Jamie McDaid, Gareth Parry
(Cai Jones), Paul Roberts, Jonathan Sadler (Barry Evans).
Yellow: Euron Roberts, Barry Evans.
Huws Gray Alliance Saturday, 23 October.
Match Sponsors Faulkner's Electrical.
CPD Porthmadog ... 2 Rhos Aelwyd ... 1
Marcus Orlik 28' Craig Hughes 25'
Craig Hughes (og) 64'
This was an open exciting game with the final result remaining in doubt to
the end. Both sides set out to play attacking football but Port, having
created the better chances and scoring a quality goal, probably deserved to
edge out opponents who had only been beaten once before this season. But it
took a 64th minute own goal by Craig Hughes to put Port ahead for the first
time in the game giving Hughes the dubious distinction of scoring for both
teams. Rhos certainly had their moments too and were pushing hard for an
equaliser at the end.
Port got away to a lively start penning Rhos back in their own half. With 11
minutes gone Port could have gone ahead when Iwan Williams found himself in
space on the edge of the box but McGhee diving to his right kept out the
powerful shot and the keeper proved equal to the task again when Williams
latched on to the rebound. Marcus Orlik fired a free kick from 25 yards
straight at McGhee and soon after the same player's cross was headed back
into the danger zone by Cai Jones. But a good defensive block kept out Barry
Evans. The visitors were dangerous on the break and the pace of Mike Burke
and Josh Griffiths tested the home defence. When they forced a corner on the
left Rhos went ahead with their first real effort on goal. Craig Hughes was
given too much space in the box to firmly head home Wayne Phillips' left
wing corner. The lead, however, only lasted for 3 minutes with Marcus Orlik
scoring a beauty diving in at the far post to meet a perfectly weighted Cai
Jones cross. Following the equaliser Rhos enjoyed a good spell of pressure
with Parry heading wide at a corner and Mike Burke also wide, under pressure
from Ryan Davies, after a good burst down the left. Edwards had an
opportunity having been put in behind the home defence and just before the
interval Richard Harvey touched over Powell's header after Burke had chased
a lost cause down the right.
Port were first out of the blocks in the second period and a good build up
involving Iwan Williams and Cai Jones provided Barry Evans with a back post
shooting chance but the shot went across the face of goal. Almost
immediately Cai Jones had a shooting chance in a crowded box but was also
wide of the mark. Rhos countered but Powell fired Edwards' excellent low
cross over the bar. But with 64 minutes gone Port went ahead for the first
time when Mike Foster surprised the Rhos defence by slipping a free kick
inside to Marcus Orlik whose dangerous angled ball into the box ended up in
the back of the net via the head of Craig Hughes. Marcus Orlik continued to
be heavily involved in all Port attacks. Cai Jones met a good Orlik cross
but was narrowly wide and Marcus himself was unlucky when his dipping shot
was only narrowly over the bar. There were further Port efforts with Rhys
Roberts heading over the bar at a corner and McGhee doing well to keep out
yet another Marcus Orlik effort. But Rhos were certainly not prepared to go
out with a whimper and it needed a good tackle to keep out Russell as he
burst dangerously in on goal. They brought on an extra attacker in Jon Rush
and with even keeper McGhee up for a corner they kept up the pressure to the
end. As Port tended to sit back and invite pressure there were some hairy
moments before the end -none more so than Josh Russell's free kick wide on
the left which struck the far post and rolled tantalisingly across the goal
line and wide of the other upright.
The good run therefore continues 7 unbeaten games which includes six wins
and a draw. Surprisingly this was Port's first win at the Traeth this
season. Surprisingly also, despite having scored five times this season,
today saw Marcus Orlik score his first league goal of the season.
Richard Harvey, Geraint Mitchell, Mike Foster, Darren Jones (Jack Jones
83'), Ryan Davies, Rhys Roberts, Iwan Williams, Dan Pyrs, Cai Jones, Marcus
Orlik, Barry Evans (Paul Roberts 70'). Subs not used: Gareth Owen, Euron
Roberts, Jamie McDaid, Richie Owen. Yellow: Marcus Orlik 89'.
Rhos Aelwyd: Adam McGhee, Wayne Phillips (Jon Rush 81'), Russ Wright, Josh
Griffiths (Ben Jones 71'), Mike Parry, Craig Hughes, Dave McIntyre, Steve
Powell, Mike Burke (Matt Holmes 56'), Aaron Edwards, Josh Russell. Subs not
used: Kevin Fitzimmons, Gavin Pierce (gk).
Referee: JB Roberts (Llanllyfni) Attendance: 166.
Huws Gray Alliance -Saturday, 9 October
Rhydymwyn ... 0 Porthmadog ... 3
Iwan Williams 32'
Jamie McDaid 69'
Paul Roberts 82'
This was a more comfortable win than even the score line suggests, with Port
dominating territorially and the possession from start to finish and could
and should have netted several more times. Their only concern was the fact
that despite dominating it was past the half hour mark before they found the
net for the first time and 36 more minutes had elapsed before they could
score their second. This second goal gave them a breathing space reducing
the danger of being caught on the break.
Port were on the attack from the start but 14 minutes had past before the
first real threat on goal with Ryan Davies putting Marcus Orlik away on the
right of the box but home keeper Ryan Roberts saved well at his near post.
Opportunities continued to come thick and fast with Darren Pritchard doing
well to clear a Ryan Davies header off the line in the 18th minute. Two
minutes later Marcus Orlik was brought down on the edge of the box when
threatening the goal but the free kick which followed was blasted over the
bar by Mike Foster. Minutes later Cai Jones ran on to a long ball but with
the keeper well out of his goal the ball rolled narrowly wide. But with 33
minutes on the clock Marcus Orlik slipped the ball through for Iwan Williams
to run onto on the right of the box. The winger cut inside and fired a low
shot across the keeper into the far corner of the net giving Port the lead
they deserved. Cai Jones came close to increasing the lead when he steered a
shot wide of the advancing Roberts but tantalisingly against the foot of the
post with the keeper doing well to scramble back to save from the rebound.
With half time approaching the home side mounted their first real attack of
the game with McElmill cutting in from the left and Richard Harvey needed to
be at his best to turn a powerful shot away for a corner at his near post.
But as the half came to an end it was Port back on the attack with a Barry
Evans flick at the back post flying narrowly wide.
The second half continued with Port looking for the security of a second
goal. Marcus Orlik twice came close with Roberts saving a header and another
effort going narrowly wide. A couple of Mike Foster corners produced good
heading opportunities first for Ryan Davies and then Rhys Roberts but the
central defenders failed to hit the target. A warning for Port came in the
67th minute when Ryan Davies had to clear McElmill's dangerous downward
header from a Gruffydd free kick. But in the 69th minute came the goal which
was richly deserved, and it was a quality move involving three single
touches. A clever Cai Jones flick found Barry Evans who unselfishly steered
the ball into the path of Jamie McDaid. The young winger unhesitatingly
directed the ball past Roberts to give Port a breathing space. Cai Jones and
Jamie McDaid combined well again but Roberts in the home goal did well to
keep out McDaid's finish. Though looking comfortably placed a Paul Roberts
header after 82 minutes made the result completely safe. A Mike Foster free
kick wide on the left provided the close range heading opportunity. Paul
Roberts came close again when he was found on the left of the box by a good
angled ball from Jamie McDaid but the keeper was out well to block the shot.
With the result no longer in doubt a well placed McElmill shot might have
given Rhydymwyn a late consolation but Richard Harvey flung himself full
length to his left to save.
This win extends Port's unbeaten run to six league and cup games and a
second away league victory lifts them to 9th place in the table.
Porthmadog: Richard Harvey, Geraint Mitchell, Mike Foster, Darren Jones
(Jack Jones 80'), Ryan Davies, Rhys Roberts, Dan Pyrs, Iwan Williams (Jamie
McDaid 61'), Cai Jones, Marcus Orlik (Paul Roberts 71'), Barry Evans. Subs
not used: Euron Roberts, Richie Owen, Gareth Owen.
Rhydymwyn: Ryan Roberts, John Duffield (Tom Williams), John Shepherd, Tom
McElmill, Dafydd Gruffydd, Matt Harvey, Darren Pritchard, Dean Hughes, Adam
Renshaw (Jordan Taylor), Gishin Furminal, Joey Durslem. Subs unused: Arthur
Hislop, Ian Cropper. Yellow: Tom McElmill 61'.
Referee: Martin Trigg (Rhyl) Attendance: 70.
Huws Gray Alliance -Saturday, 9 October
CPD Porthmadog ... 1 Penrhyncoch ... 1
Cai Jones '79 Dylan James '22
In an ill-tempered encounter at the Traeth, a draw was probably the fair
results. Like our last League match at Llangefni, this was another scrappy
affair with our opponents concentrating their efforts on stopping Port from
playing, with some success to their credit.
Having said that, Penrhyncoch had the better start. Port struggled to take
charge of things in the opening ten minutes. However, very little was
created in terms of chances during this spell, apart from a Dylan James free
kick on 5 minutes.
Port’s first chance didn’t come until the 11th minute when Paul Roberts
turned well in the box and his shot flew only narrowly over the bar. Port
were growing in confidence at this point, and had a further excellent
opportunity to score four minutes later, but Marcus Orlik and Iwan Williams
failed to connect a Barry Evans cross from the left that had Leigh Jenkins
flapping in the Penrhyn goal.
As you would expect in a scrappy match, free kicks were to feature
prominently in proceedings. On 17 minutes Barry Evans came close to scoring
with a free kick on the right after a foul on Iwan Williams. A minute later
Richie Owen came extremely close with a low driven free kick that beat
everybody, apart from the upright that is.
It seemed a matter of time before one of these set pieces would find the net,
however it was to come at the other end. The visitors were given a tame free
kick at the edge of the box, with Dylan James striking home past Richard
Harvey with a little help from a deflection off the Port wall.
The goal gave Penrhyn confidence with Mark Egan having a couple of efforts,
forcing Richard Harvey to make an acrobatic save on 25 minutes. At the other
end, Iwan Williams and Barry Evans were never far away from the action. On
36 minutes Williams crossed in to Marcus Orlik who went in bravely with his
head but the keeper managed to push it away for the corner. Barry Evans then
had two scoring opportunities, the first from an Iwan Williams pass, and the
second flying over the bar from an Orlik cross.
The second half was not a display of free flowing football with Penrhyncoch
aiming to sit on their lead and only really came close to the Port goal with
long range free kicks and a couple of breaks that never really troubled
Harvey. They did however manage to frustrate Port for large parts of the half.
Port could have equalised on 51 minutes but for a good stop by Leigh Jenkins
from an Iwan Williams strike. Barry Evans should have scored ten minutes
later when Marcus Orlik pulled the ball back to him in the box, but he
couldn’t keep it down. Another chance of note fell to Jack Jones who pulled
another good save from the Penrhyncoch keeper after an Iwan Williams attack
down the right.
After being brought on, Cai Jones gave some added bite to the Port attack
just like he had seven days ago at Conwy, and once again he would prove to
be Port’s saviour. He capitalized on Penrhyncoch’s failure to clear, driving
home through a crowded box on 79 minutes. He could well have added a second
a minute later when he found himself in space in the box.
Port deserve credit for battling their way back to a draw, but need to learn
to cope better with some of the more physical sides in this league if they
are to make strides up the table.
Porthmadog: R. Harvey, E. Roberts, R. Owen (M. Foster), D. Pyrs, R. Davies,
R. Roberts, I. Williams, J. Jones, P. Roberts(C. Jones ), M. Orlik, B.
Evans(J. McDaid).
Subs not used: G. Owen, G. Mitchell.
Penrhyncoch: L. Jenkins, E. Evans, Dylan James, Ll. Hughes, J. Foligno, Dan
James, C. Wilkins, R. Thomas, J. Shaw, S. Frazer, M. Egan.
Subs: J. Hatrick, E. Edwards, M. Evans, G. Allen.
Referee: Alan Jones (Aberaeron) Attendance: 153
Welsh Cup Round 2 -Saturday, 2 October
Conwy Utd ... 1 CPD Porthmadog ... 4
Paul Cassidy 60' Rhys Roberts 9'
Paul Roberts 75'
Iwan Williams 85'
Marcus Orlik 86'
The final score line looks comfortable but there was a period of 20 minutes
midway through the second half when Porthmadog looked any thing but
comfortable and the result at this stage could have gone either way. But,
with Paul Roberts scoring after 75 minutes, the composure returned and Port
went on to add another two goals before the final whistle.
Port got off to the best of starts and peppered the Conwy goal in the early
stages with an early header by Marcus Orlik and shots from Jack Jones and
Darren Jones. With 10 minutes gone Rhys Roberts came close to celebrating
his return with a goal when his header struck the bar. But only a minute
later Rhys got his name on the score sheet when Paul Roberts turned Jamie
McDaid's cross on for the returnee to net from close range. But despite
continuing to dominate Port failed to add to their early score during the
first half. They relied on long range efforts and despite the fact some of
these looked useful they failed to really trouble Andy Rooney. A couple of
these efforts came from Marcus Orlik. One was only narrowly wide of the
angle and another was turned for a corner. Just before the interval Paul
Roberts' persistence won him the ball 25 yards out but his chip over the
advancing Rooney rolled wide of the post. Conwy rarely figured at all in
attack in the opening half and their only real threat came when Chris Quinn
ran on to a Jamie Jones cross but his shot was off target.
Port came out in the second period looking for that second goal. Paul
Roberts turned well in the box but his shot went narrowly wide and following
a good exchange of passes between Paul Roberts and Marcus Orlik the latter
fired over the bar from 20 yards. But the home team were gradually getting
themselves back into the game and after an hour they forced a corner on the
right. Toby Jones struck the kick with power and Paul Cassidy's glancing
header at the near post went in at the far post despite Jamie McDaid's
desperate attempts to keep it out. Port were now ruing their failure to turn
pressure into points. Port's high defensive line was being exploited by the
pacy Conwy attackers. It took a fine last ditch tackle by Richie Owen to
dispossess Toby Jones who was in on goal. When a Toby Jones free kick took a
deflection off the wall it provided Paul Cassidy with a good opportunity to
score his second but, though well placed, his shot was off target. Play was
now very open with Port unable to exert midfield control and the pace was
becoming frenetic. Joe Williams raced on to a ball behind the Port defence
and in a one on one with Richard Harvey the keeper saved well. The game
could have gone either way at this stage but it was Barry Evans breaking
coolly from defence who fed Marcus Orlik and a brilliant angled ball by the
forward put Paul Roberts in behind the home defence. Then holding off a
challenge Paul found the net with a low shot beyond Rooney's left hand.
The composure now returned to the Port play and they started passing the
ball around again. With 6 minutes left Cai Jones and Iwan Williams were
introduced with immediate effect. Within a minute Cai Jones broke down the
left using his strength to hold off a couple of challenges, cutting along
the goal line before crossing low into the six yard box for Iwan Williams,
bursting into the box, to tap in at the far post. Only a minute later and
Marcus Orlik added a superb individual goal. Receiving from Iwan Williams he
turned well and from the angle of the box on the right he chipped over
Rooney and just inside the far post. Though inconsistent, once more Port
managed enough purple patches during the 90 minutes, to reach Round 3.
Porthmadog: Richard Harvey, Euron Roberts, Richie Owen, Ryan Davies, Rhys
Roberts, Darren Jones (Barry Evans 67'), Dan Pyrs, Jack Jones, Jamie McDaid
Iwan Williams 84'), Paul Roberts (Cai Jones 84'), Marcus Orlik. Subs not
used: Mike Foster, Geraint Mitchell, Gareth Owen. Yellow: Rhys Roberts 35',
Jack Jones 74')
Conwy: Andy Rooney, Chris Quinn, Dean Roberts, Luke Fontaine (Mark Orme
57'), Joe Williams, Rob King ( Paul Cassidy 57'), Darren Jones, Ricky Jones,
Toby Jones, Ben Hughes, Jamie Jones. Sub not used: Darren Evans.
Referee: Peter Kewley (Rhyl)
