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| Llanidloes (h) |
Flint (a) |
Llandudno (a) |
Denbigh (h) |
Llandrindod (a) |
Rhydymwyn (a) |
Holyhead (a) |
Huws Gray Alliance -Saturday, 21 February 2015 Holyhead Hotspurs ..........3 Mike Kelly 20’ Mel McGinness 40’ Ryan Jones 77’ CPD Porthmadog..............2 Gruffydd J Williams 22’ Josh Davies 85’ Holyhead Hotspurs, in a good run of form, edged out Porthmadog in a crowd pleaser with a mixed bag of five goals and plenty of near misses. Two of these goals were top drawer finishes from Mike Kelly for Hotspurs and Port’s Josh Davies scoring his 17th league goal of the season. For the others, there was a piece of route one opportunism, a deflected free kick and a gift which turned out to be the goal that separated the two teams at the end. It was a case of a confident Holyhead taking their chances, while Port, despite creating some excellent scoring opportunities, failed to capitalise. Port were also left to rue the loose pass which gave Hotspurs their third goal. Port went into this game without midfielders Ceri James and Iwan Lewis as well as defenders Dilan Lomas, and Gwydion Ifan, while Hotspurs were without the suspended Kenleigh Owen. The home side were first on the attack and, within a minute, had forced a free kick a yard outside the box. Mike Edwards’ curling free kick rattled Richard Harvey’s cross bar before a successful clearance. Following the early escape Port got a foothold in the game and Dave Edwards cutting in from the left forced home keeper to concede a corner. Soon after Iddon Price set up a good Port move down the right, switched the ball inside to Josh Hartrick who in turn found Gruff Williams who had made a good run to the near post but, at the vital moment, lost his footing and the chance was gone. Twenty minutes into the game an excellent piece of individual play from Mike Kelly secured Hotspur the lead. Kelly controlled a high cross field ball instantly, turned well and fired a low 18 yard shot just inside Richard Harvey’s left hand post. But the reply from Port was immediate as they won a free kick some 22 yards out. Gruff Williams drove the ball hard at the wall and the deflection took it well away from keeper Carl Jones to level scores. With play end to end Mel McGinness almost took advantage of a loose bouncing ball inside the Port box but lifted his shot over the bar. Port then had their best period of the game creating three excellent chances. The first after 35 minutes with Josh Banks finding Josh Davies in the centre of the box but, despite an excellent shot on the turn, failed to beat keeper Carl Jones. Just three minutes later Josh Banks sent Dave Edwards away down the left and continued his run into the box to meet a perfectly placed cross but with only the keeper to beat lifted his shot well over the bar. Enjoying a good period It seemed Port must go ahead and an excellent burst from Josh Hartrick took him into the box but he mishit his shot with the goal gaping. The miss proved a double whammy as a long clearance was carried by the breeze into the Port box where poacher McGinness somehow got his foot to it and direct it into the net. Despite the disappointment there was one more chance for Port before the interval as Josh Davies rose well to meet a Stuart Rogers free kick at the near post, only to see an excellent header go inches the wrong side of the post. But 2-1 to the home team at the interval. The second half started scrappily with neither side able to get the ball down and impose themselves on the game. The only early threat on goal in the second period came from Hotspurs when the ball broke for Ryan Jones. Four minutes into the half he struck an excellent low shot which forced Richard Harvey into a good diving save turning the shot round the post. Port then came more into the game and both Rob Evans and Josh Stadnicki had efforts on goal but Holyhead were still a threat on the break and a Jay Gibbs’s left wing corner needed a goaline clearance from Stuart Rogers. But more and more it was Port who were threatening and with 72 minutes gone a Josh Davies shot was blocked into the path of sub Cai Jones whose shot went straight at Carl Jones who saved well. Five minutes later and Port were again punished for their failure to score, when a careless pass was picked up by Hotspurs’ Ryan Jones. In plenty of space he advanced to the box, rounded Richard Harvey and left himself with the simple task of tapping into an empty net. It was a vital third goal but Port did not give up the ghost and with five minutes left Josh Davies netted his 17th league goal of the season and it was one of his best. Receiving from Stuart Rogers on the edge of the box he took one step forward and drilled a top quality drive past Carl Jones. A slender chance remained when Cai Jones received from Josh Banks, he turned well and shot but keeper Carl Jones pulled off a good save to ensure that Holyhead held on to their one goal advantage. In an exciting keenly contested game Holyhead edged the win, taking their chances and limiting errors at the back, while Port had several really good chances which they failed to take and will certainly rue that gifted third goal. The positive for Port is the quality of the chances created and especially the good final ball into the box. On another day ..... PORTHMADOG: Richard Harvey, Iddon Price, Josh Banks, Gerwyn Jones, Josh Stadnicki, Gruff Williams, Stuart Rogers, Rob Evans (Cai Jones 56’), Josh Hartrick, Josh Davies, Dave Edwards. Unused subs: Dilan Lomas, Craig Papirnyk, Iwan Lewis. HOTSPURS: Carl Jones, Dan McGinness, Mike Edwards, Phil Williams, Alex Jones, Rhys Roberts, Mike Kelly, Jay Gibbs, Mel McGinness, Gareth Parry, Ryan Jones. Subs: Nick Clarke. Dean Garney, Gareth Jones Evans. Yellow: Jay Gibbs 41’. Referee: Martin Roberts (Llangefni) Attendance: 196. Gareth Williams Huws Gray Alliance -Saturday, 14 February 2015 Rhydymwyn FC............... 1 Will Page 9’ CPD Porthmadog............ 2 Josh Davies 13’ Rob Evans 77’ It needed an excellent Rob Evans winner to break Rhydymwyn’s determined resistance at Vicarage Road in another game where Port, despite netting seven times last week, struggled to turn pressure into goals. The much needed early goal didn’t materialise this week and it was the bottom placed club who took advantage of a defensive error to go ahead after just 9 minutes. Port did respond four minutes later but, despite their huge territorial advantage, had to wait until 13 minutes from time before clinching the three points. These points take them up to 43 for the season; exceeding last season’s total with 5 games still remaining. Much of the credit for this goes to Craig Papirnyk in his first season as manager. Port were soon on the offensive from the start with Josh Davies meeting a Stuart Rogers corner but failing to keep it down. Soon after another Rogers corner was headed on at the near post by Josh Stadnicki for Josh Davies at the back post but again the header failed to hit the target. But with 9 minutes gone calamity struck for Port, when Richard Harvey with seemingly plenty of time to clear, tried to side step the onrushing Will Page. But Page got a foot to the ball and sent it rolling agonisingly over the line. The game then continued with Port back on the attack and the home side’s early advantage lasted just four minutes before Cai Jones broke past two defenders down the right and crossed to the back post where Josh Davies’s header struck the underside of the bar and across the line for the striker’s 16th league goal of the season. Port pushed forward now looking to take the lead. Stuart Rogers fired wide from the edge of the box and Cai Jones, always in the thick of things went close at the near post meeting a dangerous Iddon Price cross. Cai Jones then turned supplier again breaking down the right and pulling the ball back for Josh Hartrick who drew an excellent save from home keeper Ruscoe. Failure to capitalise on all the possession meant that the Port defence needed to keep a wary eye on forwards Tom Potts and Jack Roberts and the potential of a breakaway goal. Just before the interval Stuart Rogers found Cai Jones well placed in the box but the striker failed to get his shot away. It remained all square at the interval. At the start of the second period Craig Papirnyk introduced Ceri James and Gwydion Ifan from the bench and Gwydion made an immediate impact with a clean strike from 20 yards which was only narrowly wide of the target. Almost all the play was concentrated in the Rhyd half of the field but despite increasing the tempo of their play Port were finding stubborn resistance from the home defence. On the hour mark Josh Davies fired dangerously across the face of goal and minutes later met a dangerous cross from Rob Evans drawing a good save from Ruscoe diving to his left. Cai Jones then latched on to Stuart Rogers’ cross but his well struck effort went over the bar from 16 yards. At last the Port pressure paid off and the Rhydymwyn resistance was finally broken by a quality assist and finish. Gwydion Ifan broke from just inside the opposition half, carrying the ball forward to the edge of the box before threading a perfectly measured angled ball behind the full back for Rob Evans to race on to and coolly apply a clinical finish. It was Rob's first goal in a season hampered by injury problems. Despite a few late reponses, Rhydymwyn failed to trouble Richard Harvey and when Andrew Harms finally blew his whistle the three points were all that mattered. Despite making hard work of finding the all important goals for the win, Port remain in 4th place and it is all set up for an interesting clash next Saturday at Holyhead who are making a strong late run. PORTHMADOG: Richard Harvey, Iddon Price, Josh Banks, Dilan Lomas, Josh Stadnicki, Rob Evans, Stuart Rogers, Josh Hartrick (Ceri James 46’), Cai Jones (James Papirnyk 78’), Dave Edwards (Gwydion Ifan 46’ ). Unused sub: Craig Papirnyk. Yellow: Josh Banks 79’. RHYDYMWYN: Andrew Ruscoe, Harry Murray, Josh Jones, Kurtis Prydderch, James Etherington, Andrew Watkins, Jake Reilly, Paul Johnson, Tom Potts (Sam Genders 86’), Jack Roberts, William Page. Yellow: Jake Reilly 1’, Harry Murray 63’, Jack Roberts 81’. Referee: Andrew Harms . Attendance: 70. Gareth Williams Huws Gray Alliance -Saturday, 07 February 2015 CPD Porthmadog............... 7 Dave Edwards 5’ Dilan Lomas 11’ Chris Murphy (og) 13’ Gruff Williams 23’ Josh Davies 28. Gerwyn Jones 69’ Josh Hartrick 75’ Llandrindod Wells...............0 It took just five minutes of early pressure for Port to emerge from their three match goal famine with Dave Edwards finding the net from 18 yards. This brought to a close 300 minutes of goalless football since Josh Davies netted from the spot in the 65th minute against Llanidloes. Port then went on to find the net four more times in the opening half hour to put the game way out of the reach of the visitors well before the interval. They then went on to score twice more in the second half to seal an emphatic victory. Craig Papirnyk rang the changes ahead of this game restoring Josh Stadnicki and Dilan Lomas to the centre of the defence and switching the recent successful partnership of Iddon Price and Gruff Williams to the full back positions with Stuart Rogers playing the holding role in central midfield. Port enjoyed the best possible start when five minutes of early pressure ended with the Dave Edwards’ goal. Stuart Rogers’ corner was only cleared as far the edge of the box where Dave Edwards’s well struck shot took a deflection leaving keeper Joe Prosser stranded. Port continued to attack and it was another Rogers’ corner that proved the trigger for the 11th minute second goal. Dilan Lomas made a good run to the near post and his flicked header was helped on its way into the net. Supporters denied of recent goals only had to wait two more minutes before the third flew past Joe Prosser. This time it was a good Port build up resulting in a fine through ball from Rob Evans and just as Josh Davies threatened, in nipped defender Chris Murphy but only managing to slide the ball into his own net. No better way to end a goal famine than netting three times before a quarter of an hour had elapsed. The proceedings so far were depressing for the visitors, following their lengthy journey, as they were penned into their own half for almost the entirety of the opening period. Both Josh Davies and Cai Jones went close before Port were awarded a free kick 20 yards out and Gruff Williams stepped up to fire a beauty into the top corner of the net for 4-0. Stuart Rogers came close to add further to the score and Josh Davies drew a good save from Prosser. But with 28 minutes gone Davies scored Port’s fifth to bring his personal tally of league goals for the season to sixteen. Dave Edwards steered a long Iddon Price cross inside to Josh Davies who placed his shot perfectly just inside the near post. Port maintained the upper hand for the rest of the half without scoring any further goals, while Llandrindod ended the half without once troubling Richard Harvey in the home goal. 5-0 at the interval. Having built up a big lead it was almost inevitable that the second half would be a tamer affair and this was coupled with a show of determination from the visitors aimed at keeping the final score down. Port however continued to create chances with Josh Davies close with a good effort on the turn and Davies again came close having been put in by sub Eilir Edwards. Lomas was always a threat at corners and again at near post was only narrowly off target. But in the 69th minute Port scored their sixth goal of the afternoon when Eilir Edwards’ corner was deflected on to Gerwyn Jones who netted from close range. A chequered afternoon for Gerwyn, making a sub appearance after breaking his leg, then found himself yellow carded a minute after taking the field and followed that up by netting 12 minutes later. With a quarter of an hour remaining Port completed the scoring with their 7th goal when Josh Hartrick’s shot from 15 yards took another deflection into the back of the net. The best of Llandrindod’s forays into Port territory in the second period resulted in a free kick by Joel Layton which required a save from Richard Harvey near his left hand post and later Robbie Nicholls took advantage of a loose bouncing ball for a shot which drifted only inches wide of the post. That apart, skipper Richard Harvey viewed proceedings from afar. Near the end it took a good save from keeper Joe Prosser to deny Josh Hartrick his second. Port completed a double over Llandrindod but unlike the hard fought win at the Broadway this was a comfortable victory and hopefully sets them up for winning run in the six games remaining this season. PORTHMADOG: Richard Harvey, Iddon Price (Gerwyn Jones 69’), Gruff J. Williams, Dilan Lomas, Josh Stadnicki, Rob Evans (Eilir Edwards 69’), Stuart Rogers (Gwydion Ifan 74’), Josh Hartrick, Cai Jones, Josh Davies, Dave Edwards. Unused subs: Ceri James, Craig Papirnyk. Yellow: Stuart Rogers 55’, Gerwyn Jones 57’. LLANDRINDOD: Joe Prosser, Huey Lewis, Darrell Nicholls, Chris Murphy, Mike Cooper, Joel Layton, Robbie Nicholls, Ashley Jones, Johnny Williams, Kieran Davies, Corin Jones (Leroy Smith 46’). Subs: Matt Leonard, Ashley Thomas, Dave Jones, Gareth Jones. Referee: Aled Jones (Lampeter). Attendance: 141. Gareth Williams. Huws Gray Alliance -Saturday, 31 January 2015 CPD Porthmadog.............0 Denbigh Town .................2 Warren Duckett 60’ Ryan Jones 87’ Port continued their disappointing run of results as they failed to find the net for the third consecutive game. For an hour, despite an exciting end to end game, neither side was able to open up two well organised defences until Warren Duckett broke the deadlock poaching a goal at a corner. A late goal from Ryan Jones settled the game in Denbigh’s favour. Once again Port enjoyed a glut possession without finding the incisive pass to open up a stubborn defence. The visitors then used their pacy runners to strike decisively on the break. The game started at a brisk pace with the best of the early opportunities going to Denbigh. In the 2nd minute Duckett crossed well but Ryan Jones steered his shot wide at the back post. Three minutes later Pierce failed to trouble Richard Harvey having intercepted on the edge of the box. Mark Roberts was next to threaten for the visitors, but Richard Harvey pulled off an excellent save at his near post. Having weathered these early attacks Port settled into their usual passing game going on to dominate the majority of the half both territorially and possession but failed to work any clear chances. Denbigh defended in numbers and restricted Port to an Eilir Edwards shot from 18 yards and an opening for Dave Edwards, who struck the side netting following a good move down the right. The best Port opportunity came after 37 minutes when Josh Banks found Rob Evans who steered his shot wide when well placed. Soon after Rob was forced to leave the pitch and was replaced by Iwan Lewis, back after missing several weeks through injury. Towards the end of the half Denbigh surged forward again with Mark Roberts firing into the side netting and near the end of the half Josh Banks had to clear off the line. The half ended goalless with defences mainly in control. Both sides upped the pace after the interval with Stuart Rogers getting a good early opportunity for Port, meeting a good low cross from Dave Edwards, but his first time effort whistled narrowly past the far post. Denbigh responded immediately with Ryan Jones racing on to a good through ball from Stuart Vernon but Richard Harvey pulled off an outstanding full length save to touch a goal bound shot wide of the post. On the hour came the decisive break when Stuart Vernon’s left wing corner took a deflection and Warren Duckett turned it into the net from close range. Gwydion Ifan responded for Port, breaking into the box on the right but his shot took a slight deflection carrying it into the side netting. Having established the lead the visitors dug in defending in numbers and utilising the speedy breaks of sub Joe Newton in particular. Port were again enjoying plenty of possession but were restricted to efforts from distance from Eilir Edwards and Josh Banks and when Cai Jones made a good break on the left his cross was well cut out by keeper Mike Jones. The visitors continued to be a threat on the break and three minutes from time one of these breaks settled the game. It was a swift counter attack by Joe Newton down the left, finding himself one on one with Richard Harvey who pushed away the initial shot. But Newton reacted quickly and his low pass was converted at the far post by the onrushing Ryan Jones. Port’s hopes of a share of the points had disappeared and once again they paid the price for their failure to do the business in the final third. It’s goals that count and for all their possession and ball retention Porthmadog have to concede that today’s result was a fair one. There are positives even in disappointment; another good performance from skipper Richard Harvey and the back four in front of him and the usual good build up play. Good also to have the creative midfielder Iwan Lewis back. It is in no way a crisis, only a crisis of confidence and that is surely something that can be overcome given a modicum of good luck –any kind of goal, an own goal, one from a knee or an elbow in fact any sort of goal to start the ball rolling again. Let’s hope it comes and very soon! PORTMADOG: Richard Harvey, Gwydion Ifan, Josh Banks, Ceri James (Josh Hartrick 63’), Iddon Price, Gruff Williams, Stuart Rogers, Rob Evans (Iwan Lewis 60’), Josh Davies, Dave Edwards (Cai Jones 72’), Eilir Edwards. Unused subs: Dilan Lomas, Josh Stadnicki. Yellow: Gwydion Ifan 54’. DENBIGH: Mike Jones, Dave McIntyre, Mike Taylor, Max Peate (Owain Roberts 90’), Nathan Peate, Stuart Vernon (Joe Newton 68’), Simon Smith (Carl Murray 82’), Warren Duckett, Mark Roberts, Ryan Jones, Kristian Pierce. Yellow: Nathan Peate 9’. Referee: Michael Gray. Attendance: 155. Huws Gray Alliance -Saturday, 24 January 2015 Llandudno Town ............... 1 Marc Evans 68’ CPD Porthmadog.................0 It was truly hard to understand how Port returned empty handed from Maesdu today after a magnificent exhibition of passing football. But as has been the case over the past weeks they paid the price for failing to turn chances into goals. The game was a credit to the HGA as both sides set themselves to play constructive attacking football on the excellent 3G surface. In the event it was a misjudged pass which allowed Llandudno to take the lead and they capitalised on this with a decisive sweeping counter attack. A grandstand finish from Port had the league leaders defending desperately but they held out to take all three points. In a first half where there were few clear cut opportunities Port enjoyed plenty of possession while Llandudno looked dangerous on the break. The first threat for Port came with keeper Connor Wearing having to go down well at his near post to cut out Josh Banks’ low cross. Llandudno responded with a good break from Toby Jones down the left but his cross deserved a better response. After 20 minutes Josh Davies and Josh Hartrick combined well but Davies’ shot went wide. Another counterattack for Llandudno followed and Danny Hughes came closest to an opening goal when Richard Harvey was at full stretch to touch his flashing angled shot round the post. Harvey was soon in action again turning Joe Williams’ dangerous cross for a corner. But Port continued to enjoy greater possession and it needed a good tackle from james Joyce to keep out Josh Hartrick having been put through by Eilir Edwards. Five minutes before the interval Rob Evans put in Port’s best effort of the opening half cutting in from the right and cracking a low, angled shot narrowly wide of the far post. All square at the half way was a fair reflection of the play. Both sides upped the pace in the second period quickly switching defence into attack. Danny Hughes for the home team had a couple of early efforts cracking one from the edge of the box but Gwydion Ifan got in a good block at the expense of a corner and soon after Hughes fired wide from the same distance. At the other end Josh Davies headed wide and Eilir Edwards was not far off target from 20 yards. But midway through the half a misunderstanding by Port 10 yards outside the Llandudno penalty area allowed the home side to mount a swift counterattack. Lewis Buckley, newcomer from Mold Alex during the week, combined with Danny Hughes down the left side and the ball was switched across field to Marc Evans racing into the box on the right. Richard Harvey did well to get a hand to a well struck shot but could not prevent it rolling into the net at the back post. This setback was a signal for a period of Port pressure which was only broken by occasional Llandudno forays into the Port penalty area. From one of these Gareth Evans lifted his shot on to the roof of the net. Ceri James set up wave after wave of Port attacks, a shot on the turn from Cai Jones screwed narrowly wide, Dave Edwards met a Josh Davies cross but could not keep the header down and Davies himself headed a Josh Banks cross straight at Connor Wearing. Mounting pressure eventually produced two great opportunities but confidence in front of goal has deserted them in recent weeks. A good header from Josh Davies was pushed away by Wearing giving Dave Edwards a clear chance but he tried to place his shot and the effort from 10 yards was blocked on the line. Moments later the chance fell to Stuart Rogers but he drove straight at Wearing from 12 yards and the keeper gratefully held on. There was one more scare for the home side to survive as Gwydion Ifan’s shot from a narrow angle grazed the top of the crossbar. But survive they did, to notch up three more valuable points and take them ever closer to promotion. The team which took their chance won the game and that is something no can argue with but it was also an outstanding game of football and a treat for the fans of both teams. PORTHMADOG: Richard Harvey, Gwydion Ifan, Josh Banks, Ceri James, Iddon Price, Gruff Williams, Stuart Rogers, Rob Evans, josh Hartrick (Cai Jones 61’), Josh Davies, Eilir Edwards (Dave Edwards 77’). Unused subs: James Papirnyk, Iwan Lewis. Yellow: Josh Banks 49’, Josh Davies 62’ LLANDUDNO: Connor Wearing, Joe Williams, James Joyce, Arron Pritchard, Richard hinds, Tom Dix, Gareth Evans, Danny Hughes, Lee Thomas (Leo Riley 73’), Toby Jones (Lewis Buckley 61’), Marc Evans (Peter Jones 82’). Yellow: Lee Thomas 29’, Joe Williams 82’ Referee: Gareth Jones. Attendance: 205 Huws Gray Alliance -Saturday, 17 January 2015 Flint Town United............... 2 Josh McCauley 35’ Jack Abraham 74’ CPD Porthmadog..................0 It was a disappointing day for Porthmadog at Cae y Castell where a goal in each half gave the home team a deserved three points. Port despite enjoying plenty of possession failed to break down a determined Flint defence and will certainly rue the fact that both home goals came from defensive errors. The lack of goals and clear goal scoring opportunities will be a concern for Craig Papirnyk. After a fairly uneventful opening Port were the first to threaten after 9 minutes when Stuart Rogers came close meeting a Josh Banks cross with a neat side footed shot which flew narrowly over the bar. Port continued to pressure the home defence and when Josh Davies went down in the box referee Tom Roberts waved away a strong claim for a penalty. Rogers was again in the action soon after but fired his shot into the side netting. But having dominated the possession Port were hit by a Flint counterattack and, with Iddon Price expecting keeper Richard Harvey to come for the ball, it allowed Josh McCauley to nip in and score from close range. Two minutes later and Port were almost caught out again but Shaun Beck flicked a shot over the bar. The majority of the play remained in the home half and Dave Edwards’s excellent low cross was only inches beyond Josh Davies and immediately after Stuart Rogers went close controlling a high ball well and his lob was only narrowly wide of the angle. Flint however continued to be a threat on the break and Richard Harvey needed to be quickly off his line to go down at the feet of Josh McCauley and avert the danger. Half-time arrived with Port 1-0 down despite having far more of the possession. The second half continued with the pattern much the same as the first but with Flint counterattacks becoming more frequent as the home defence continued to frustrate the Port attacks. Early in the second period the dangerous Jack Abrahams broke down the right but screwed his shot wide. Both teams then had chances from corners first Josh Davies for Port sent his close range header straight at keeper Elliott Power while Richard Harvey made a point blank save from John Davies. Port pushed forward looking for an equaliser and Power pulled another good save going down at his near post to stop Cai Jones latching on to a good low cross from Stuart Rogers. Power was soon in action again to keep out a low 20 yard effort from Eilir Edwards. But despite having to defend for much of the time it was Flint again who found the net. A misplaced pass across the edge of the Port penalty area was seized on by Jack Abrahams who netted with an emphatic finish. Suddenly it had become an uphill struggle for Port and though they continued to push forward with Josh Banks and Gwydion Ifan providing an attacking outlet down the flanks they failed to find the productive final ball to open up a determined defence. John Davies and Luke Camden, at the back for Flint, continued winning everything in the air. A fizzing Stuart Rogers corner grazed Josh Davies’s head as he strained to get a firm header and Davies again fired a shot across goal but wide. There could have been a third for Flint when McCauley rattled the post after another poor clearance. In injury time the referee again turned down appeals for a penalty when Cai Jones went down in the box. But despite their best efforts the goal drought continues. It was another day where possession was not turned into clear opportunities and goals would not come on a heavy ground. It is ironic too that a defence which has been so solid throughout the season gave away two unnecessary goals. Overall Flint deserved their win capitalising on mistakes and defending well and closing down in midfield. PORTHMADOG: Richard Harvey, Gwydion Ifan, Josh Banks, Ceri James (Eilir Edwards 52’), Iddon Price, Gruff Williams, Rob Evans, Stuart Rogers, Cai Jones, Josh Davies, Dave Edwards (James Papirnyk 78’). Unused sub: Craig Papirnyk. Yellow: Ceri James 37’. FLINT: Elliot Power, John Hills, Jordan Stanley, John Davies, Luke Camden, Peter Doran, Stewart Carroll, Todd Blayney, Shaun Beck (Jamie Hayes 79’), Jack Abraham, Josh McCauley. Unused subs: J Rush, I Hewitt, G Roberts. Yellow: Shaun Beck 53’, John Hills 77’. Referee: Tom Roberts. Attendance: 142. Huws Gray Alliance -Saturday, 10 January 2015 CPD Porthmadog... 2 Cai Jones 44’ Josh Davies 65’(p) Llanidloes Town.......1 Jamie Breese 54’, A penalty by Josh Davies after 65 minutes separated the two teams at the end of a game played in windy conditions. Port once again found it difficult to turn pressure into goals and though creating numerous chances, particularly in the second half, they failed to build on the interval lead which a Cai Jones cracker had provided. With the visitors always looking dangerous on the break the result remained in doubt to the end. Port were first on the attack and in the first minute it needed a good save from keeper Aaron Warwick to turn a Dave Edwards effort for a corner. Port continued to enjoy a greater share of the possession but found it difficult to break down a hard working Llanidloes defence. A good run from Gwydion Ifan threatened to open up Llanidloes but when Dave Edwards crossed low there was no final touch. Despite the possession Port were restricted to long range efforts and a couple of Cai Jones efforts flew over the bar. After 22 minutes Llanidloes responded with a good run from Steve Jones which took him to the edge of the box and following a good exchange of passes Gwion ap Dafydd tested Richard Harvey with a shot from 16 yards. This sparked Port into action and Gwydion Ifan met Josh Banks’s cross from the left with a looping header and though keeper Warwick gathered safely found himself bundled over the line by Dave Edwards. Might have been a goal in 1950 but not today! Llanidloes continued to be a threat on the counter attack and Steve Jones fired over the bar following a good run by the dangerous Jamie Breese. There were occasions when Port made life difficult for themselves with some misplaced square balls in midfield and when one broke free for Josh Evans his angled shot flew wide. Then, with the first half looking like ending scoreless, Dave Edwards played inside for Steve Rogers who forced Aaron Warwick into a fine save at his near post. A Steve Rogers corner followed and Cai Jones met it in the centre of the box and volleyed superbly, high into the net. His 44th minute strike gave Port the lead at the interval. At the start of the second period Dilan Lomas replaced Ceri James. Port now had the wind at their backs but it was Llanidloes who struck first. A careless pass at the back was punished as Jamie Breese nipped in and netted with a low shot from 12 yards for his 11th goal of the season. Port responded with some strong attacks and might have gone ahead again when Josh Davies headed a Steve Rogers goalwards only for it to strike one of his own players on the line. Pressure continued and Gwydion Ifan cut in from the right but his shot from the edge of the box went narrowly over the bar and this was followed by a good run by Josh Banks which provided Josh Davies with a shooting opportunity and it needed a good Warwick save to keep it out. Aaron Warwick was now in the thick of the action, down well to deny Josh Davies again and soon after from Rob Evans. Under mounting pressure Llanidloes conceded a penalty for a handling offence. Referee Martin Roberts’s decision was hotly disputed by Llanidloes players who surrounded the referee and keeper Aaron Warwick found himself yellow carded. The furore did not fluster Josh Davies who coolly converted from the spot for his 14th league goal of the season. The penalty inspired a response from Llanidloes and Richard Harvey had to pull off a fine save to keep out a good low shot from Jamie Breese. On 77 minutes Port should have made the game safe when Rob Evans, returning to his best after injury, played a great through ball for Josh Davies who probably fired too early with only the keeper top beat. There was one more chance for the visitors when Steve Jones broke on the right but Matt Savage fired wide at the near post. Port did get the ball into the net two minutes from time but Josh Davies was ruled offside.The game ended on a sour note with Steve Jones, who had been one of Llanidloes’s best performers, seeing red after retaliating to a hard tackle by Rob Evans. Though they were made to work hard for the victory, on the balance of play it was a well deserved Port win but failure to convert chances kept it an open contest to the end.The win gives Port a season's double over Llanidloes. PORTHMADOG: Richard Harvey, Gwydion Ifan, Josh Banks, Ceri James (Dilan Lomas 46’), Iddon Price, Gruff Williams, Rob Evans, Stuart Rogers (Josh Stadnicki 89’), Cai Jones (Josh Hartrick 66’), Josh Davies, Dave Edwards. Unused sub: Craig Papirnyk. Yellow: Steve Rogers 52’, Dilan Lomas 61’, Iddon Price 90’. LLANIDLOES: Aaron Warwick, Luke Evans (Rhys Jones 79), Josh Evans, Alex Jones, Jack Bermingham, Steve Jones, Chris Wilkins, Gwion ap Dafydd, Jamie Breese, Aaron Pinches (Jordan Price 66’), Matt Savage. Sub; Harri Clarke. Red: Steve Jones. Yellow: Aaron Warwick 64’, Chris Wilkins 75’. Referee: Martin Roberts Attendance: 159. |
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