Huws Gray Alliance        -Saturday, 2 February.
 
CPD Porthmadog ... 2            Guilsfield ... 1
Gruff Williams 23                    Will Thomas 80
Graham Boylan 33
 
At last it’s three points for Port. In fact, apart from one or two patches 
in the first half, they probably did not play as well as they had during 
two recent losing performances, but this time  they put the ball into the 
net, netting twice in a game for the first time since December 1st at the 
Belle Vue. Port were very much in control in the opening half  establishing 
a two goal advantage but in the second half Guilsfield, who were on a good 
recent run, upped their performance and once Will Thomas found the net 10 
minutes from time Port were left with a tense finale to a scrappy second half. 
 
Port dominated the opening half and after 5 minutes a good four man Port move 
ended with John Owen firing wide and soon after a thumping low shot from Scott 
Sephton whistled past the post. The home side continued to apply the pressure 
with John Owen unlucky not to open the scoring, striking the bar with a header 
following a Steve Kehoe corner. Despite Port’s recent goal shy performances a 
goal appeared on the cards and perhaps the only surprise was that it took 23 
minutes for it to come. When it came however, it was well set up by Rhys T 
Roberts -on his home debut- and John Owen whose angled ball found Gruff 
Williams in plenty of space on left of the box and the young player took his 
goal firing low from 15 yards wide of Mike Barton’s left hand. Two former 
Llanrug players having a hand in the goal! Rhys T Roberts was involved again 
soon after teeing up a shot for Scott Sephton who struck it powerfully but the 
wrong side of the post. Just after the half hour mark Port deservedly extended 
their lead and John Owen, who had been a threat from the start, set up Graham 
Boylan. A clever Owen run down the left of the box where he outwitted three 
defenders before finding Boylan with a low cross which was converted from close 
range. Richard Harvey was a spectator for most of the half but needed to be 
alert 5 minutes before the interval when a Will Thomas corner was deflected 
goalwards by one of his own players. A busy first half for referee Aled Jones, 
who by my count dished out four yellow cards in a half which hardly threatened 
the peace of the area.
 
The visitors returned to the pitch early for the second half, looking as though 
there been some ear bashing in the changing room. If there had been it certainly 
had a fairly immediate effect with Guislfield looking a yard quicker to the ball 
than in the opening half. But Port were in no mood to capitulate and Graham 
Boylan was not far from converting a Sephton cross with a header as he threw 
himself toward it but the cross had a little too much pace. Guilsfield were up 
for the challenge and showing more of the spirit which had lifted them to 8th 
place in the table. Ten minutes into the half Ziemann, who scored a late winner 
in the corresponding match at Guilsfield, rose well at the back post and was 
unlucky to see his header strike the bar before being cleared. Four minutes later 
there was a further scare in the Port box and it needed a last ditch clearance 
from Steve Kehoe to keep out James Henderson’s effort. Gradually, following these 
early scares, Port started to restablish some semblance of order though now they 
rarely posed much of a threat to Mike Barton’s goal. Gareth Jones for the visitors 
fired wide from distance and Will Thomas threatingly got on the end of Jonathan 
Jones’s free kick. But it took until the 80th minute before the visitors were able 
to cut the deficit. Inevitably it was their leading scorer Will Thomas who netted 
with an angled chip to which Richard Harvey was only able to get a despairing hand. 
But in spite of the exocet throws of Chris Catharal there were no more goals for 
the visitors and Port held on for a deserved three points bringing to an end a 
dismal run. 
 
The second half was another busy one for referee Aled Jones as he added another 
five yellows (I think!) to his tally.  For Port it was a good day, any kind of win 
would do but let’s hope that this one breaks the spell, and the tension of the last 
few weeks can be be put firmly behind them so that players can show their true 
ability between now and the end of the season.  
 
Port: Richard Harvey, Steve Kehoe, Josh Banks, Ceri James, Rhys Roberts, Dan Pyrs, 
Rhys T Roberts (Carl Owen 85), Scott Sephton (Phil Williams 62), Graham Boylan, Gruff 
Williams, John Owen. Subs not used: Aaron Roberts-Evans, Gareth parry, Merfyn 
Williams(gk). Yellow: Ceri James 22, Josh Banks 35, Dan Pyrs 39, Graham Boylan 59.
 
Guilsfield: Mike Barton, Chris Catheral, Mark Davies, Andrew Ford, James Henderson, 
Jonathan Jones, Gareth Jones, Martin Ziemann, Will Thomas, Ian Probert 
(Danny Barton 64), Rob Cookson. Subs not used: Nathan Leonard, Mike Parry, Russ 
adwallader. Yellow: Mark Davies 32, Andrew Ford 53, Will Thomas 88, Rob Cookson 90, 
Danny Barton 90.
 
Referee: Aled Jones (Lampeter)                Attendance: 88
 

Huws Gray Alliance               -Wednesday, 30 January
 
Holyhead Hotspurs ... 1        CPD Porthmadog ... 0
Jay Gibbs 64 (pen)
 
In highly controversial circumstances Holyhead took all three points from a game 
where they had been second best for much of the 90 minutes. On the evidence of 
his linesman referee Scott Longley showed a red card to Grahame Austin for 
alleged retaliation. The game had moved on for some minutes before this event but 
to the amazement of all, following the dismissal, the referee brought the game back 
and awarded a penalty to the Hotspurs. Jay Gibbs stepped up to take the kick but 
Richard Harvey pulled off a good save diving to his right but following up Gibbs 
slotted home the rebound. 
 
The penalty and dismissal left Port with almost half an hour to play with 10 men 
and they were to rue their failure to take advantage of a first half when they were 
in complete control of the game. After only two minutes Port came close to taking 
the lead when Leon Newell broke down the right, his cross took a deflection and Josh 
Banks back post header was only inches over the bar. The game was very physical and 
some beefy tackles were flying in. Minutes later a Ceri James lob drifted narrowly 
wide. Leon Newell met a Dan Pyrs cross but his header from 15 yards looped over the 
bar. There were a couple of clever runs from John Owen showing good close control and 
from one of these he found Scott Sephton in the box but a low shot from 12 yards was 
well blocked on the line. It was all Port with  Steve Kehoe and Ceri James prompting 
and Grahame Boylan doing the chasing and harrying. The islanders rarely broke into the 
Port half and in fact Richard Harvey did not have a single shot to deal with throughout 
the half. On 35 minutes Port came close to taking the lead. It followed on from a 
Steve Kehoe free kick when the ball was played low into the box and Leon Newell’s shot 
from 12 yards looked goal bound only to see Hotspurs keeper Ben Heald pull off an 
outstanding save diving full stretcg to get a hand to the ball and push it to safety. 
Half time was reached with the visitors left to wonder how they had failed to establish 
a clear lead.
 
The wind was a factor in the game and Port would have to play into it in the second 
period.  Play was more even now but Port continued to push forward through Dan Pyrs 
from midfield and Josh Banks along the left. The home side were beginning to look more 
dangerous on the break with Mel McGinness, who had a very quiet first half, beginning to 
exert more influence. He set up Mike Edwards down the right and the winger drew a good save 
from Richard Harvey from 20 yards. Then came the incident which turned the game on its 
head and left Port undeservedly one behind and down to 10 men. Hotspurs now mounted more 
dangerous breaks but without really troubling Richard Harvey. The keeper punched away 
Gareth Owen’s lofted free kick and Cronshaw down the right supplied Gibbs but again 
Harvey was down to save well. Port despite being down to 10 men continued to show plenty 
of attacking ideas and subs Gruffydd John and new signing Rhys Roberts were in the thick 
of things. With 8 minutes left Holyhead break saw McGinness feed Cronshaw on the right 
of the box but Richard Harvey was down well at his near post to save at the expense of a 
corner. But with four minutes left Port could have earned themselves a draw. On the counter 
attack John Owen was put away down the right he cut inside and Ben Heald did well to parry 
away his angled shot but Graham Boylan racing in at the back post will be disappointed to 
see his shot go the wrong side of the post.
 
Just as at Conwy, it was a case of Port more than matching top five opposition but not 
getting their just deserts. One thing that cannot be doubted in this difficult period and 
that is the 100% committment of the squad.

Port: Richard Harvey, Steve Kehoe, Josh Banks, Dan Pyrs, Rhys Roberts, Grahame Austin, Leon 
Newell(Rhys Roberts 75), Ceri James, Graham Boylan, Scott Sephton (Gruff Williams 78), 
John Owen. Subsnot used: Aaron Roberts-Evans, Carl Owen, Gareth Parry. Red: Grahame Austin 64. 
Yellow: Rhys Roberts 13, Graham Boylan 17.
 
Hotspurs: Ben Heald, Dean Garmey, Tom N Edwards, Chris Saxon, Alex Jones, Gareth Owen, 
Jason Owen (Curt Williams), Mike Cronshaw, Mel McGinness, Mike Edwards. Subs: Luke Roberts, 
Rory Courlander, Kenleigh Owen.Yellow: Mel mcGinness, Alex Jones, Jay Gibbs.
 
Referee: Scott Longley (Meliden)            Attendance: 102 

Huws Gray Alliance    -Tuesday, 15 January
 
Conwy Borough ... 3        CPD Porthmadog ...1
Lloyd Ellams 80, 82 90        Scott Sephton 70
 
A brilliant Lloyd Ellams hat-trick in the last ten minutes of the game snatched 
a victory for the home team in a game, which up to 80th minute, had looked like 
yielding the elusive three points for Port. In a game disrupted by floodlight 
failure five minutes into the second half, Port had deservedly gone ahead in the 
70th minute when Scott Sephton scored minutes after making his sub appearance. A 
relatively quiet first half, when one of the more controversial moments was 
referee Andrew Harms’ decision to refuse Port a penalty when debutant John Owen 
appeared to have been brought down in the box, then gradually increased its tempo 
as the match wore on. 
 
It was a very quiet opening to the game with neither side able to impose themselves 
on the game. The first real danger of the game came after 19 minutes when a quickly 
taken free kick allowed Graham Boylan to find Rhys Roberts in the box but the shot went 
over the bar. Conwy responded with a break down the right and a good Scott Beckett 
cross found Mark Jones in the box but the foward failed to get his shot away and it 
rolled to Richard Harvey. The best move of the first half came minutes later when 
Graham Boylan spread the ball wide and Steve Kehoe’s  fine through ball enabled Leon 
Newell to race behind the home defence going past keeper Terry McCormick  but fired 
his angled shot into the side netting. There were few if any clear cut chances for 
the remainder of the half but Richard Harvey needed to pull off a good save to keep 
out Scott Beckett’s dipping 25 yard free kick and a minute before the interval there 
was controversy when a strong shout for a Port penalty was turned down. 
 
Five minutes into the second half and the ground was thrown into partial darkness 
when the floodlights failed. When play resumed it was with less than full lights and 
spotting who did what became something of a nightmare. But in the gloom the game 
sparked into life. Conwy applied more pressure than they had previously with Simm 
firing across the face of goal and a minute later Lloyd Ellams rattling the Port cross 
bar before the ball was scrambled to safety. Then it was Port’s turn and after a break 
down the left Leon Newell cracked a low shot from 18 yards against the post and keeper 
Terry McCormick  pulled off a good save diving to his left as Graham Boylan went in for 
the rebound off the post. Both sides now upped their game and the quality of the 
passing improved greatly as both sides searched for a goal. With Ceri James prompting 
from midfield and strong runs from skipper Rhys Roberts Port were now more than matching 
their opponents. It was hardly a surprise when they went ahead. It came after 70 minutes 
when Ceri James lifted a quality free kick from wide on the left and Scott Sephton rose 
well to direct his header beyond Terry McCormick. Port now looked in control as they 
pushed to add to their one goal. But with 10 minutes left Lloyd Ellams took the game by 
the scruff of the neck and snatched away the points. His first was a great indidvidual 
effort as he cut along the box with great control looking for a chance get his shot in. 
He did so with a low effort from 18yards. Two minutes later and Ellams put Conwy ahead, 
this time cutting in from the right and lifting his shot over the diving Harvey.  Port 
tried desperately to find an equaliser which was the very least their play deserved. But 
it was Lloyd Ellams who had the last word turning his marker on the edge of the box and 
giving Richard Harvey no chance with a cracking low shot.
 
A disappointing end for Port on a night when their determined and committed play deserved 
so much more. A promising debut for John Owen who lead the line well with the Port team to 
a man battling hard from beginning to the  end. Disappointing to see Grahame Austin having 
to leave the field injured after a storming performance at the back after 68 minutes as 
this probably affected the final outcome.
 
Port: Richard Harvey, Steve Kehoe, Josh Banks, Dan Pyrs, Rhys Roberts, Grahame Austin 
(Scott Sephton 68), Phil Williams (Gruff J Williams 75), Ceri james, John Owen, Leon Newell 
(Carl Owen 85), Graham Boylan.Subs not used: Gareth Parry, Merfyn Williams(gk) Yellow:
Rhys Roberts 90. 
 
Conwy: Terry McCormick, Steve Cunningham (Lee Roberts 63), Chris King, Arron Simm, Matty 
Singleton, Josh Griffiths, Scott Beckett (Leigh Craven 75), Danny Desmoreaux, Mike Jukes, 
Lloyd ellams,Mark Jones (Warren Roberts 71) Subs not used:John Keegan, Steve Connor.Yellow:
Scott Beckett 27, Mike Jukes 86. 
 
Referee: Andrew Harms (Prestatyn)   Attendance: 80

Huws Gray Alliance    -Saturday, 12 January
 
CPD Porthmadog ... 0        Cefn Druids ... 2
                                            Warren Duckett 64
                                            Mike Pritchard 81

Two second half goals gave Cefn Druids the points as Port’s dismal home form 
continued. After an even first half Warren Duckett put the visitors ahead and 
though Port enjoyed plenty of possession they failed to turn their periods of 
pressure into goal opportunities and late on the Druids punished them, with 
Mike Pritchard capitalising on a misplaced clearance with a clinical finish.  
 
In the opening stages Port looked lively and forced an early corner but in a 
swirling wind the visitors looked dangerous on the break and there were early 
efforts on goal from new signings Blenkinsop and Allen and a header over the 
bar from Darlington following a good cross by another new signing Matty Owen. 
Steve Kehoe came close for Port when he almost caught out keeper Gareth 
Pritchard with a 40 yard effort which fell only narrowly over the bar. Leon 
Newell after 15 minutes got in behind the Druids defence racing on to Boylan’s 
flick but hurried his shot slicing wide. Newell with clever control broke into 
the box finding Boylan whose shot was straight at keeper Pritchard. Typical of 
Port’s current fortune when referee Gwyn Vaughan awarded them a penalty the 
decision had to be reversed in favour of a linesman’s offside decision.  Steve 
Kehoe who was having a good game at right back and cut in from the right but 
again his shot went narrowly over the bar. But after this the Druids enjoyed a 
period of sustained pressure when they came to close to making their extra inches 
pay as they forced a series of corners and with Hesp hurtling in his long throws. 
On the half hour mark Hesp met a Pritchard corner and it needed a good save from 
Richard Harvey to keep the header out.  A minute later it took a goal line 
clearance from Kehoe to prevent a goal.  A shot from Blenkinsop  went across the 
face of goal and there were other efforts from Allen and Duckett. But with half 
time approaching Port had their best chance on goal when Leon Newell put Darren 
Thomas in but his angled shot was well saved by Pritchard at his near post. All 
square at the interval which was a fair reflection of the first half.
 
Boylan threatened twice for Port early in the second period. Put through by Scott 
Sephton he fired wide of the target and two minutes later his 20 yard shot went  
the wrong side of the post. But despite this early pressure from Port it was the 
visitors who broke the stalemate. Following a long throw from Hesp, which was only 
partially cleared, a low ball into the box found Warren Duckett who  used the space 
in the box to find the net with a clean strike from 12 yards. The game then became 
rather untidy with neither side able to create much and on the one occasion that 
Port were able to open up the Cefn rearguard they were unable to apply a finish. 
With the game surprisingly drifting towards a 1-0 result in a disappointing second 
half, Druids were twice gifted opportunities on goal. The first of these came 
thanks to a misplaced  defensive header which allowed Darlington through but he 
blazed his shot over the bar. But only a minute later an under pressure clearance 
went straight to Mike Pritchard who finished in style with a 25 yard shot into an 
untended goal. With 9 minutes of the game left Cefn Druids were now comfortably 
placed to claim all three points. 
 
It was a disappointing end from a Porthmadog point of view, in a game where they 
had started well showing plenty of determination and effort The decision to play 
Leon Newell up front with Graham Boylan worked well but despite this in the end 
failed to produce a goal.
 
Port: Richard Harvey, Steve Kehoe, Josh Banks, Dan Pyrs, Rhys Roberts, Grahame 
Austin, Darren Thomas (Carl Owen 76), Ceri James, Graham Boylan, Scott Sephton 
(Phil Williams 87), Leon Newell. Subs not used: Gruff Williams, Mike Foster, 
Gareth Parry. Yellow: Graham Boylan 45.
 
Cefn Druids: Gareth Pritchard, Mark Harris, Rees Darlington, Adam Hesp, Gareth 
Edwards, Robbie James, Tom Allen, Matty Owen, Steve Blenkinsop, Mike Pritchard 
Warren Duckett (Tom McElmeel 84).Subs: Ryan Jones, Lewis Jon
 
Referee: Gwynne Vaughan (Abergele)                         Attendance: 134.