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| Buckley (h)
| Airbus (h)
| Holyhead (a)
| Denbigh (h)
| Conwy (h)
| Conwy (a)
| Pwllheli (a)
| Ruthin (h)
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Huws Gray Alliance Saturday 27 October 2018 Match Sponsor: William Iestyn Jones Plasterer CPD PORTHMADOG................. 2 Shaun Cavanagh 27’, 70’ RUTHIN TOWN..................... 0 A goal in each half from Shaun Cavanagh ensured a well deserved three points for Port, three points which lift them into 3rd place in the table. The win also marks Paul Pritchard’s 6th clean sheet in the last 8 games. An excellent first half performance, with Port playing some quality football and dominating possession, should have resulted in more than a single goal lead at the interval. The second half, where the visitors showed far more aggression, was more even but a 2nd goal after 70 minutes eased the tension and by the latter stages Port were looking comfortable again. . Port started strongly with manager Craig Papiirnyk opting for pace at the front with Tomoa Emlyn and Ryan Taylor in the wide positions and Shaun Cavanagh in the middle and each respomded with strong performances, stretching the visitors’ defence. An early break from Tomos Emlyn took him to the byline and his dangerous cross was cleared for a corner.and from the corner Ceri James tested the keeper from 18 yds but keeper Goldstoun scrambled the ball awy under pressure, Another good move saw the widemen combining with Ryan Taylor controlling Tomos Emlyn’s crossfield ball but his shot went across the face of goal. Another neat Port move saw Jay Gibbs and Gruff John combining well to put Shaun Cavanagh through on goal but a good defensive block denied him. Though Ruthin were being forced back on the defensive a 17 minute break from Craig Wilkinson caught out the home defence and the angled shot from 15 yards curled narrowly wide of Paul Pritchard’s far post. On 27 minutes Port took a well deserved lead when a Ceri James assist found Shaun Cavanagh in behind the Ruthin defence. He still had much to do and raced on, Though the advancing Gouldston got a partial block on his initial effort he recovered for a second bite which saw him drill home from 15 yards. Another good Port build up involving several players combining well to create a shooting chance for Jay Gibbs whose low shot went barrowly the wrong side of the post; Paul Pritchard’s goal rarely came under threat in the opening half but in the latter stages Ilan Hughes on the left of the box hit a free kick across goal and wide. Port were 1-0 ahead at the interval in a half they had dominated. . The visitors came out strongly in the second half and for the first time in the game Port were being pushed back into their own half with their passing game disrupted. The game became rather heated with one or two beefy tackles going in and referee Mark James waved a few yellow cards in reponse. Despite having a greater share of the play than in the opening half Ruthin were only able to threaten Paul Pritchard’s goal with shots from distance. One from Gwion Owen from 18 yds flew over the bar and a similar effort from Ilan Hughes met the same fate. Late on thre was a good run from Craig Wilkinson and it eequired a good clearing header from Gruff John The introduction of Sion Edwards, just before the hour mark, impacted on the game in Port’s favour as he found space and time to threaten the Ruthin defence with several dangerous runs. Then on 70 minutes Port gained a breathing space with an all important 2nd goal. Iwan Lewis found space to burst through on the right and his cross to the back post was headed back across goal by Ryan Taylor and on hand to finish off the move was Shaun Cavanagh, with a close range header to make it three goals for him in the past two games. Another sub who made an immediate impact with a couple of powerful drives was Dan Dascalu, one of these forced Gouldston into another good save. On 87 minutes Port could have made it 3-0 when Dan Dascalu was brought down in the box and a penalty was awarded. Keeper Ryan Gouldston however pulled off a great save to deny Gruff John from 12 yds. Gruff almost made good the miss with a goal bound header whch was cleared off the line. But with time running out the two goals were more than enough to secure the three points. . Port will now be on the road next week with a visit to Guilsfield, followed by a Welsh Cup tie at Llanfair United and then they complete a hat-trick of away fixtures at Gresford. . Porthmadog: Paul Pritchard, Gruff J Williams, Ceri James ( Sion Edwards 59’), Iddon Price, Josh Banks, Tomos Emlyn, Jay Gibbs, Ifan Emlyn, Ryan Taylor (Dan Dascalu 71’), Iwan Lewis.Shaun Cavanagh ( Dale Davies 85’) Unused subs: Rob Evans, Dewi Thomas. Yellow: Ifan Emlyn 44’, Ryan Taylor 57, Iddon Price 64’. Ruthin: Ryan Gouldston, Craig Wilkinson, Cai Davies, Matthew Evans, Kevin Evans, Ilan Hughes, Lewys Turner, Osian Davies, Llyr Morris, Gwion Owen (Ryan Jones 77’), Gwydion Ifan (Wil Owen 55’). Unused subs: Rhys Rowlands, Tom Sharples. Yellow: Ilan Hughes 33’, Osian Davies 87’). . Referee: Mark James Attendance: 243. Gareth Williams Welsh Cup Round 1-Saturday, 20 October 2018 CPD PWLLHELI .................................. ......0 CPD PORTHMADOG ................. ...............3 Jay Gibbs 16’ Ifan Emlyn 44’ Shaun Cavanagh 90’ The Llyn and Eifionydd derby proved again the attraction the Welsh Cup has and indeed the potential for local football in general. Today’s cup-tie was played in front of a packed Leisure Centre Bank with an estimated 600+ gate. As to the game itself, it was far from being a thrill a minute spectacle for the large crowd but one which Port generally dominated and got the job done despite a few nervy second half moments. Two goals up at the interval, Port looked comfortable, but the failure to add a third goal until very late on meant that a Pwllheli goal could bring them back into the game. The potential banana skin was avoided and Port’s name will be in the hat for the 2nd Round. From the start Port enjoyed the greater share of possession and play was largely played in the Pwllheli half of the pitch. Sion Edwards had a lively start and his cross to the back post produced an early threat but Rob Evans had his header blocked. Any early Port nerves were steadied after 16 minutes when Jay Gibbs put them ahead. Returning after injury the midfielder picked up in space 25 yards out and his perfectly placed low shot found the corner of the net. The home side’s best response came in a good run from Jake Jones bursting into the box but failed to match it with the same quality of finish. Midway through the half Pwllheli avoided going further behind thanks to two top class saves from their keeper Gethin Roberts, First Sion Edwards cut in from the right striking a beauty with his trusty left foot but the keeper pulled off a brilliant save diverting it for a corner. The keeper was in action again immediately after, keeping out Josh Banks’s goalbound header. A quieter period followed before Paul Pritchard in the Port goal made his first save keeping out Jamie Banks angled shot. This sparked a response from Port and following a Sion Edwards free kick Rob Evans was unlucky to see his lob strike the crossbar. But a minute before the interval Port gained the safety net of a second goal. Ifan Emlyn broke on the left of the box and his low shot took a deflection on its way into the net. Port held a deserved 2-0 advantage at half-time. The home side came out strongly in the second period and Jamie Banks fired over the bar from 18 yards. A free kick from Ifan Gwylim signalled a nervy few minutes for the Port defence as Paul Pritchard beat out the shot and had to go down to scramble the ball away. Pritchard was immediately in action again keeping out a header from Martyn Smith. This was a timely warning for Port that the game was not over. They enjoyed plenty of further possession and there were efforts from Rob Evans and Sion Edwards but while the score remained 2-0 the home side could sniff a potential upset if they could just pull one back, As the game entered the final 15 minutes Paul Pritchard was forced into a double save to keep out former Port regular Gareth Jones Evans. As the game entered its closing stages there were one on one situations at either end. Port sub Shaun Cavanagh was slipped through on goal but Gethin Roberts was quickly off his line to save. At the other end Jake Jones took advantage of a defensive slip to burst in on goal but Paul Pritchard got a partial bloak and Iddon Price recovered to complete the clearance. Port pushed forward in search of the third goa; and there were efforts from Tomos Emlyn and Gruff John which went close.With time running out Port at last got that third goal. In a tussle between Shaun Cavanagh and keeper Gethin Roberts the ball bounced, free for Cavanagh to pounce and steer the all into the net. The game was now safe and in fact Shaun Cavanagh could have scored again when Ifan Emlyn put him through, but again the keeper was off his line to avert the danger. Port had avoided a potential slip=up and can now look forward to the 2nd Round draw. A happy Craig Papirnyk twittered at the end, “What a great day, Port through to the next round, Great 1st half performance but failed to capitalise 2nd half, credit to Pwllheli a great effort to get back in the game, 100s in attendance which made it even more special, great support. Porthmadog: Paul Pritchard, Gruff Williams, Ceri James, Iddon Price, Josh Banks, Iwan Lewis, Jay Gibbs (Sion Parry 85), Ifan Emlyn, Dale Davies (Shaun Cavanagh 69), Sion Edwards, Rob Evans (Tomos Emlyn 79’). Unused subs: Ryan Taylor, Dan Dascalu. Yellow: Gruff Williams 65; Dale Davies 66’, Pwllheli:Gethin Roberts, Terry Ogilvy, Meical Williams, Martyn Smith, Gwyn Williams, Gareth Jones Evans, Jake Jones, Tomos Jones, Carl Jones,Mark Jones, Jamie Banks. Subs: Ifan Gwilym, Cai Huws, Daniel Pritchard, Morgan Williams, Lukas Baltovic. Yellow: Jamie Bamks 83’. Referee: Cheryl Foster Attendance: 670 Gareth Williams Huws Gray Alliance-Saturday, 13 October 2018 CONWY BOROUGH.................................. 2 Gerwyn Jones 41’ Corrig McGonigle 90’+2’ CPD PORTHMADOG ................. ...............2 Gruff John Williams 73’, 89’ Elation turned to disappointment for Port who had to wait until the 89th minute to go ahead for the first time only to see the victory snatched from them when Corrig McGonigle’s looping header found the net in the 2nd minute of added time to claim a point for the home team. Conwy had been down to 10 men from the 18th minute, yet their organised defence put up a brave resistance to hold out against mounting Port pressure. The added time equaliser denied Port the points which would have moved them up to 2nd place in the table. The game closely followed the pattern of last Saturday’s League Cup tie between the two clubs with Port controlling the possession from the start but finding it difficult to break down a home defence which resisted in numbers. Port attacked from the off and within the 1st minute Iolo Hughes, for the Borough, had to clear with a header off his goal line. Paul Pritchard had to pull off a diving save when Roberts responded for the home team with a snapshot. But it was Port commanding the possession and Sion Edwards was in threatening mood down the left. His pin point cross, after 16 minutes, created a good heading opportunity for Iwan Lewis whose effort went back across goal and wide. A moment later and another Edwards cross evaded everyone as it cried out for a final touch. With 18 minutes gone Conwy suffered a setback when central defender Iolo Hughes received his marching orders following two yellow cards in quick succession in the same incident. This allowed Port even more space and time on the ball as Conwy were forced into an even more defensive mode and introduced sub defnder Marshall into central defence. Denied space in the box, Port tried from longer range and Sion Edwards was close with a couple of dipping efforts from 20 yards and another from Shaun Cavanagh. But despite being a man short and constantly under pressure, the home defence was coping well and keeper Keighan Jones was not being worked unduly hard. He was on the spot however to deal with a Dale Davies back header. With no end product from all of their neat build-up play and with half-time appraching Port were hit with a sucker punch. Conwy in a rare excursion into the Port half were awarded a free kick wide on the right. McConigle lifted a dangerous curling free kick into the centre of the box where Gerwyn Jones got a touch which was enough to send it past Pritchard and into the net.Home supporters and players could hardly believe what had just transpired and in the dying seconds keeper Jones pulled a off a good save to deny Iwan Lewis and send the home side in a goal ahead at the interval. Port introduced Rob Evans for the second period and the battle of attack versus defence was resumed. The pressure was building and building on the home defence as Sion Edwards had a shot stopped and in a huge scramble eventually the ball was cleared. Iddon Price rose well to meet a Sion Edwards corner only to have it blocked and cleared. It was wave after wave of Port attacks but the home defence, despite being stretched, held firm. It continued to resist until eventually on 73 minutes it was breached. Almost inevitably the supply came from the outstanding Sion Edwards. Gruff John was in the right place at the right time to meet the corner and head back across goal into the far corner of the net. This was the fillup needed and when Rob Evans found Sion Edwards on the edge of the box it needed a trailing leg from the keeper to keep out the shot. The keeper pulled off another great save to push Gruff John's power shot for a corner.Next a curling shot from Dewi Thomas drifted narrowly the wrong side of the post. Ryan Taylor had a shot deflected over the bar but with a minute left of the 90’ the goal came and once again it was the same combination of a Sion Edwards corner and a Gruff John Williams header which made it 1-2. Surely the three points were safe now and on their way to the Traeth. But the never say die spirit of the depleted home side came to thr fore again. There was a break down the right and the long cross to the back post found Corrig McGonigle lurking and his header looped high over the defence and into the far corner to snatch back a point. This was a missed opportunity for Port, as they struggled to open the home defence and then, when they eventually did achieve that, they suffered the second sucker punch of the afternoon. The point however, moves them up one place to fourth but on the balance of play it should have been more.. Nevertheless for their gritty resistance and determination it is hard to deny that Conwy today had deserved to earn themselves a share of the points. For the second time this season, Port have won Cup ties but failed to pick up maximum points against the same opposition in the league. Craig’s final comment: “Football is definitely a game of emotions !!! thought we should’ve come away with all 3 points given the circumstances and 1 man advantage but full credit to the Conwy lads who kept their discipline and defended very well, they deserved the point.” On to the Welsh Cup and a rare tussle with neighbours Pwllheli. PORTHMADOG: Raul Pritchard, Tomos Emlyn, Gruff Williams, Iddon Price, Ryam Taylor, Shaun Cavanach (Rob Evans 46’), Dan Dascalu(Dewi Thomas) Iwan Lewis, Ifan Emlyn, Dale Davies, Sion Edwards. Unused subs: Ceri James, Dan Roberts, Josh Banks. Yellow:Dan Dascalu 31', Shaun Cavanagh, Dale Davies 39. CONWY: Keighan Jones, Nathan Williams, Guto Hughes, Gerwyn Jones, Iolo Hughes (Ant Marshall 25’), Gethin Maxwell, Sean McGaffrey, Lewis Clayton, Corrig McGonigle, Dean Seager Bryan Roberts (Tommy Creamer 76’) Unused subs: Adam Whitlock, Leigh Craven, Connor Hardwood. Red Iolo Hughes 18’, Yellow: Bryan Roberts 55'. Referee: Tom Williams Attendance: 156 Gareth Williams Huws Gray Cup Round 2 -Saturday, 06 October 2018 Match Sponsor: Committed FAN CPD PORTHMADOG ...................... 2 Dale Davies 42’ Dan Dascalu 90’(+2’) CONWY BOROUGH................. .......0 Port secured their place in the semi-finals of the Huws Gray Cup with a dominant performance. However they had to wait until added time before they could make sure of the victory with a late, late goal from Dan Dascalu. Despite dominating the possession, while Port held just a single goal advantage, the game remained on a knife edge, especially with Conwy applying some late pressure. It was another good day for Dale Davies, netting his 4th goal in 4 games and there was also the bonus of another strong defensive display to record a third consecutive clean sheet in a third consecutive win. Port were at it from the off with Ryan Taylor breaking dangerously down the left crossing for Rob Evans whose shot was blocked. Next Sion Edwards intercepted a poor goal kick and struck from 25yards only to see his screamer go narrowly over the bar. Gruff John met Sion Edwards’corner with a clean header which was tipped over with a fine reaction save. But the opening goal eluded them. Conwy, though they had to defend for long periods, threatened on the counter attack but did not really trouble Paul Pritchard. A good long cross found the free scoring McGonigle in space on the right but his shot was comfortably saved by Paul Pritchard at his near post. Towards the end of the half Port pushed hard in search of the elusive first goal. Ryan Taylor burst to the edge of the box and tested keeper Sarnowski with a fierce shot which was kept out with a good save at the expense of a corner. A shot from Shaun Cavanagh followed but took an unfortunate deflection to take it wide of the post. With half-time upon us Port finally took the lead. Ryan Taylor and Sion Edwards combined down the left and Dale Davies turned in Edwards’ low cross at the near post. It was a relief to get the goal before the interval but was only the minimum Port deserved for a half where they had enjoyed the lion’s share of the possession. Right from the off in the second period Sion Edwards threatened to double the lead with a powerful angled shot which Sarnowski tipped for a corner, The pressure continued with a header from Iddon Price at a corner going close and an Ifan Emlyn cracker testing Sarnowski again. Soon after the keeper did well again going down on the ball at the feet of Dale Davies. Iwan Lewis then threatened with a couple of efforts, one bursting from midfield and a shot which Sarnowski saved well with his leg. While the score remained 1-0 the visitors scented a way back into the game and home supporters were even more edgy after Conwy did get the ball into the net but had it ruled offside. Conwy in the latter stages pushed forward and play became more concentrated in the Port half of the field but apart from one or two tense moments the Port defence looked in control. Paul Pritchard apart from one mix-up was not too troubled. It was now a case of Port hitting on the counter as Conwy became more stretched. There were several strong runs from Shaun Cavanagh using his pace down the left which should have led to a relieving 2nd goal. His best effort came when his angled shot was pushed on to his post by Sarkowski and then out for a corner while another landed on the rof of the net and yet another headed narrowly wide by Dan Dascalu at the near post. With the game nearing the end of the 90 mins twice Comwy’s Dean Seager twice had opportunities to shoot but failed to hit the target. Then with the game into added time finally the second goal arrived. Dale Davies, he scorer of the first goal then turned provider finding Dan Dascalu in the box and the coolest man on the pitch held off a challnge and fired past Sarkowski and Port were through to the semi-final. The draw was made soon after the final whistle and Port will play Airbus in the semi-final. The game will be played at the Traeth.in February. This was another strong performance from Port against a team that has been performing really well and are in 4th spot in the table. Next Saturday the two teams will do all over again, this time at the Morfa and there will be league points at stake. PORTHMADOG: Paul Pritchard, Dan Dascalu, Gruff Williams, Iddon Price, Ryan Taylor(Dewi Thomas 79’), Ifan Emlyn, Iwan Lewis, Shaun Cavanagh, Rob Evans (Ceri James 71’), Dale Davies, Sion Edwards (Tomos Emlyn 60’).Unused subs: Dan Roberts, Sion Parry. CONWY: Anthony Swarkwski, Nathan Williams, Connor Tierney, Gerwyn Jones, Iolo Hughes, Leigh Craven (Gethin Maxwell 55’), Tommy Creamer (Corey Williams 76’), Lewis Clayton, Corrig McGonigle, Dean Seager, Adam Whitlock. Unused subs: Sean McGaffrey, Connor Hardwood, Bryan Roberts. Referee: Dave Wright Attendance: 189 Gareth Williams Huws Gray Alliance -Saturday, 29 September 2018 Match Sponsor: JIM MAXWELL Harlech CPD PORTHMADOG ...................... 6 Rob Evans 16', 82. Dale Davies 44’, 63’ Shaun Cavanagh 81’ Ryan Taylor 89’ DENBIGH TOWN................. ............0 A big week for Port picking up 6 pts in four days which means they are up to 5th place in the table with Buckley and Bangor only ahead on goals scored. Two goals apiece for Rob Evans and Dale Davies helped Port to a six goal tally for their biggest win since they netted 7 against Llandudno Junction back in August 2017. So comfortable was the win that Paul Pritchard in the home goal did not have a save of note to make in the whole of the 90 mins and was mainly employed as a sweeper, sometimes 30 yards out of his goal. The win was also achieved without the services of Jay Gibbs and Josh Banks, both injured at Holyhead. Denbigh came into this game on the back of two consecutive wins and started brightly keeping possession and looking a threat but, once Port got into their stride this was a one way affair. Dan Dascalu’s crosses from the right provided the early threats and from one of these Shaun Cavanagh lifted his shot over the bar and later a ball into the goalmouth was dangerously deflected for a corner. It was no surprise when Port went ahead on 16 minutes with Sion Edwards and Ryan Taylor combining down the left for Taylor to whip a dangerous cross to the back post where Rob Evans finished off from close range. Port continued to dominate possession without really threatening to increase their lead and while there was only one goal separating the two teams the game remained open. In the 23rd minute Jacob Walker received on the edge of the box for the visitors, turned wel,l but lifted his shot over the bar. A couple of minutes later and Rhys Llwyd received from the left but his powerful shot was blocked for a corner. Towards the end of the half Port lifted their game in search of a second goal before the interval. That goal came a minute before the end of the half when Shaun Cavanagh and Dale Davies took advantage of a defensive mix-up to burst into the Denbigh box and unselfishly Cavanagh put Davies in and he netted from 10 yards into an empty net. 2-0 at the interval. A minute into the second period and Vernon pulled off an excellent save at his near post to keep out Sion Edwards’s curling free kick. Another free kick a minute later this time from Gruff John was only narrowly wide of the post. Just past the hour mark an excellent cross from Sion Edwards to the far post was nodded in by Dale Davies for his second of the game. Denbigh did not sit back but tried to get back into the game but opportunities were few as Port were now well in control. Any danger was ably marshalled by Iddon Price who was the usual rock at the back. Rhys Llwyd for the visitors fired over the bar when well placed. Then as the half wore on Craig Papirnyk rang the changes bringing on Dewi Thomas and Jack Dvaies on for their Port debuts and free scoring reserve striker Sion Parry also came on. Dewi Thomas soon responded with a header which was only narrowly wide. A burst of three more goals in the space of just 7 minutes rubbed salt in the Denbigh wounds. A great lofted ball forward from Dewi Thomas put Shaun Cavanagh through on goal, he rounded the keeper for a simple tap-in. A minute later and it was 5-0 when Rob Evans turned well in the box to fire his second of the game. Another sub contrinuted to the final goal when Ryan Taylor raced on to a Sion Parry cross to get the final touch at the back post. That completed the scoring and a very satisfying afteroon for Craig Papirnyk and his squad with another clean sheet as a bonus. At the end Craig Papirnyk tweeted, “Good day today for the CPD Porthmadog lads, great performance and finally a flurry of goals for the home supporters to cheer about ! Enjoy your night lads #Port #HappyGaffer” PORTNMADOG: Pail Pritchard, Dan Dascalu ( Dewi Thomas 59’), Gruff J Williams, Iddon Price, Ryan Taylor, Ifan Emlyn, Iwan Lewis, Shaun Cavanagh, Dale Davies (Sion Parry 77’), Rob Evans, Sion Edwards (Jack Davies 64’). Unused subs: Tomos Emlyn, Dan Roberts. DENBIGH: Craig Vernon, Sion Jones, Harry Lovett, Curtis Langton, Tony Davies, Scott McHarrie, Sam Jones, Sam Downey, Jacob Walker, Rhys Llwyd, Tom Jones. Subs: Paul Hinchcliffe, Pete Lloyd, Ross Weaver. Yellow: Sam Jones 47’. Referee: Arthur Smallman Attendance: 203 Gareth Williams Huws Gray Alliance -Wednesday, 26 September 2018 Holyhead Hotspurs ...................... 0 CPD Porthmadog........................... 1 Iwan Lewis 22’ A suoer strike by Iwan Lewis midway through the first half proved enough to give Port all three points on an unusually quiet night with a light breeze at the New Oval. It was a night for grinding out a result rather than one for fluent passing football. With only one goal separating the two teams it meant that the result was in doubt to the end and following three league defeats ensuring the three points was Port’s top priority. Port had the advantage of the lighter than usual wind in the opening half and they enjoyed the best of the early possession. After 5 minutes Port won a corner on the right, Dale Davies rose well to meet Iwan Emlyn’s deep cross but the header went narrowly wide of the post. The game was uncompromising with neither side able to establish control and there were further corners at either end without creating any real threats. Port went ahead after 22 mins. The home defence was put under pressure when Josh Banks crossed dangerously into the centre of the box and Dale Davies’s header looked goalbound but keeper Carl Jones at full stretch pulled off an excellent one handed save. But the ball was only cleared as far as Iwan Lewis 20 yards out and with Carl Jones off his line he fired a rasping low shot into the home net. The Hotspurs responded when a free kick from Kenleigh Owen into the Port box fell loose and it needed a good response from keeper Paul Pritchard who went down on the ball and averted the potential danger. It was 100 mph football with neither side creating many chances and the only events of note in the remainder of the half were yellow cards for Rob Evans and Jay Gibbs for Port and one for Holyhead’s Alex Jones. Port also needed two substitutions with both Josh Banks and Jay Gibbs having to leave the field through injury. Jay Gibbs in particular appeared to suffer a worrying injury holding a hamstring. The replacements were Ryan Taylor and Sion Edwards. Despite the best efforts of both sides they found it difficult to carve out any worthwhile openings with most of the play occupying the pitch between the two penalty areas. The score remained 1-0 at the interval. The second half continued in much the same vein, with everything happening at top speed with little time on the ball as some strong tackles flew in. Both sides were guilty of belting some very hopeful long balls which were unlikely to produce an end product. The home side enjoyed a far greater share of the play than they had in the first but Paul Prtitchard was not unduly troubled whie Ceri James and Iddon Price in front of him were strong at the heart of the Port defence. The closest Hotspurs came to levelling the scores was a shot from 20 yards by Corey Jones which went narrowly over the bar. As the second half wore on Port looked stronger and the more likely to score. Iddon Price tested Carl Jones at his near post following a Ryan Taylor free kick. Ryan Taylor and Sion Edwards were making strong runs on the left and in form midfielders Iwan Lewis and Ifan Emlyn were finding more space to direct operations. In the final 10 minutes Port were pushing hard for a 2nd goal. Sion Edwards’ curling free kick was tipped over the bar by Carl Jones and a cracker from Sion Cavanagh, wide on the right. glanced the top of the crossbar, In injury time Port looked to have conjured up the second goal when third sub Sion Parry got behind the home defence and was clear on goal but was brought down. This resulted in former Port defender Tom Clarke seeing red but disappointment for Sion Parry. A goal tonight would have been a just reward for his Tuesday night exploits netting six for the Reserves, But with Port still on the attack referee Alex Livesey blew his whistle and the three vital pomts were safe. The cards also kept waving in the second half. In addition to Clarke’s red there were further yellows, one each for Shaun Cavanagh and Ceri James as well one for home player Dean Garmey. It was a night when the result was more important than anything else as Port broke their disappointing sequence of results and now move up teo places to 6th. Let’s hope for another three points back at the Traeth next Saturday in what should be another tough encounter with Denbigh Town. PORTHMADOG: Paul Pritchard, Gruff Wiliams, Ceri James, Iddon Price, Josh Banks (Ryan Taylor 41’), Jay Gibbs (Sion Edwards 44’), Ifan Emlyn, Iwan Lewis, Iddon Price, Dale Davies, Shaun Cavanagh, Rob Evans(Sion Parry 78’). Unused subs: Dewi Thomas, Tomos Emlyn. Yellow: Rob Evans 26’, Jay Gibbs 41’, Ceri James 75’, Shaun Cavanagh 82’. HOLYHEAD: Carl Jones, Dan McGinness,(Rees Brown 87’), Kenleigh Owen, Caio Hywel, Allex Jones, Tomos Clarke, Dean Garmey, Corey Jones, Jamie McDaid, Henry Galeotti, luke McGiven (Mel McGinness 77’). Subs: John Littlemore, Chris Jones, Dan Williams. Red: Tomos Clarke 90+’, Yellow: Alex Jones 13’. Referee: Alex Livesey Attendance: 170 Gareth Williams Huws Gray Alliance -Saturday, 22 September 2018 Match Sponsor_ CARIAD CARE HOMEs CPD PORTHMADOG ...................... 1 Dale Davies 59’ AIRBUS BROUGHTON................. ...2 Asa Hamilton 36’ James Hooper 80’ Port will be well pleased with this afternoon’s performance but disappointed with the result as league leaders Airbus left the Traeth with their 100% record intact. That was not achieved without many a nervous moment as Port matched their opponents all over the pitch in a tight game of relatively few clear chances. The home side were left to rue the fact that both the Airbus goals came courtesy of a couple of rare defensive errors. The game was in doubt to the end as Dale Davies netted his first Port goal to level the scores after Asa Hamilton had given the visitors a first half lead. James Hooper’s well taken 80th winner settled the result. It was clear from the start that this would be a close contest between two good teams. Clear also that chances would be at a premium as both defences looked well organised and in Port’s case despite losing Ceri James to injury during the pre-match warm-up necessitated a defensive reshuffle with Gruff John moving over to central defence and Dan Dascalu coming in at right back. Early on Sion Edwards put the Airbus defence under pressure with a dangerous cross and at the other end Ryan Edwards fired over the bar from 20 yards following a Palmer corner. Dan Dascalu, having a fine game at right back, crossed to the back post but Sion Edwards’ header went back across goal and wide. Play remained even with neither side able to get the upper hand. The visitors then forced a couple of corners and when Leo Riley lifted a dangerous cross in at the near post Paul Pritchard, in the home goal, was relieved to go down on the ball after a goalmouth scramble. Port responded with Sion Edwards and Josh Banks combining down the left for Banks to cross low to the near post but Dale Davies failed to get a touch to finish the move. With defences remaining on top both sides attempted to break the deadlock with shots from outside the box. Riey and McGilloway for Airbus and Jay Gibbs twice for Port struck without hitting the target. Then with 36 minutes on the clock Airbus went ahead and it really came out of the blue. Joe Palmer tried one from distance which Paul Pritchard appeared to cover but unfortunately failed to hold and former Port striker Asa Hamilton was on the spot to turn in the re-bound. That was how the score remained at the interval with Port unfortunate to be behind. The second half continued much the same as the first with two good sides cancelling each other out. Port came close to an equaliser 8 mins in when Josh Banks cut inside from the left and unleashed an angled shot which went inches over the bar. Port were now threatening and just before the hour mark Dale Davies levelled the scores. Jay Gibbs’ corner created a moment of panic in the Airbus rearguard and Gruff John’s header was scrambled off the line but only as far as Dale Davies who drilled a shot past keeper Roberts at the near post. Port were enjoying a good spell and scented the chance of something morefrom the game. A good through ball sent Dale Davies charging in on goal but Dave Roberts was off his line quickly and did well to clear the danger. Airbus wing back Curtis Strong, whose forward runs had proved a threat throughout, broke on the left and cut threateningly inside but lifted his shot over the bar. The all important winning goal again came when there seemed little real threat. Sub James Hooper thought otherwise and nipped in to take advantage of a moment’s hesitation in the Port defence. He fastened on to the loose ball to break forward to the edge of the Port box and with a clear sight of the goal, fired a quality shot wide of Paul Pritcharf left hand into the corner of the net. Though that proved to be the winner Port continued to push forward in search of a second equaliser. With 4 mins remaining Iddon Price rose well to meet Tomos Emlyn’s corner but his header went narrowly over. Strong threatened again with the 90 mins up but his cross was cleared off the line. In added time one last effort from Port as Shaun Cavanagh broke ckear down the right but his cross was well cut out by keeper Dave Roberts. Congratulations to Airbus who maintained their unblemished record of 7 straight league wins at the Traeth today and it will need a performance of the highest quality to stop their run. They will be well aware today that they have been severely stretched by the home performance which deserved a point at least. At the end Craig Papirnyk commented, “Always disappointing to lose , thought the lads played some of the best football I’ve seen today and their performance deserved more than the result they got , credit to Airbus , strong and experienced side who will take some stopping. On to the next.” PORTHMADOG: Paul Pritchard, Dan Dascalu, Gruff J Williams, Iddon Price, Josh Banks, Ifan Emlyn, Jay Gibbs, Iwan Lewis (Sion Parry 88’) Rob Evans (Tomos Emlyn 76’), Dale Davies, Sion Edwards (Shaun Cavanagh 57’). Unused sub: Dan Roberts. AIRBUS: Dave Roberts, Danny Taylor, Curtis strong, Steve tomassen, Joe Palmer, Kristian platt, Ryan Edwards, Brady McGilloway, Asa Hamilton (James Hooper 70’), Leo Riley (Lewis Buckley 76’), Matt McGinn. Subs; Phil Clarke, Nathan Quirk. Yellow Tomassen 61;. Referee: Tom Owens Attendance: 207 Gareth Williams Huws Gray Cup Round 1 -Saturday, 15 September 2018 Match Sponsors: Tanronnen Inn Beddgelert CPD PORTHMADOG ...................... 3 Ifan Emlyn 9’ Joe Chaplin 15’ Iwan Lewis 58’ BUCKLEY TOWN ................. ...............0 In part two of the double-header with Buckley today, Port went some way to wiping away the memory of a very much below par performance last week at Globe Way. Given a choice, most would have opted for the 3 points but it is as it is and Port have put themselves in the hat for the next, with a chance of a tilt at the Cup well and truly alive. In a conrast to last week, Port were out of the blocks from the off, probably with manager Craig Papirnyk’s stern warnings ringing in their ears. Their bright start put them two up in just 15 minutes with Joe Chaplin putting the visitors defence under severe pressure. Buckley did not really recover from this early deficit. When the third goal came, early in the second half despite their battling efforts, Buckley did not really look like getting back into the game. Port started in lively fashion going ahead after just 9 minutes. Despite the fact that Port had been applying the early pressure and a Sion Edwards cross had created a near post heading opportunity the goal came as something of a surprise. The ball was bobbling about midway inside the Buckley half with the visitors appealing for free kick and in stepped Ifan Emlyn, seized the opportunity, bursting from midfield through the heart of the visitors’ defence to finish clinically from 12 yards. 12 minutes and Buckley responded but Ryan Jones’s angled shot went straight at Paul Pritchard. Two minutes later and the Buckley defence was breached again. A ball from midfield allowed Joe Chaplin to break behind the defence before running on to score with the coollest of finishes. Port continued to put the Buckley defence under pressure with Joe Chaplin again the main threat. On 21 minutes another great burst behind the defence could have produced a third goal but Joe delayed his shot and the chance disappeared. Chaplin again minutes later cut in from the left and forced keeper Makaruk to pull off a good save at full stretch. Gruff Williams up from the back, looking for his third gaol of the season, tested Makaruk at his near post. At the other end Ryan Jones for Buckley had his shot saved by Paul Pritchard and their best move saw a long cross from Chris Roberts being headed wide at the back post by Aron Williams. Play for the remainder of the first half was more or less even with neither keeper being called into action. It remained 2-0 at the interval. Port started the second period strongly with Joe Chaplin again showing the strength and pace to worry any defence. He burst away down the left before cutting inside into the penalty area and let fly with a shot which lifted over the bar. Just before the hour mark Port scored the all importatnt third goal. If the other two goals had been individual efforts this was a great team effort with several players involved in the build up with a great angled ball freeing Jay Gibbs on the right of the box. A quick look up and an inch perfect pass for Iwan Lewis, bursting into the box, to finish from close range. That goal more or less sealed Buckley’s fate and there was to be no repeat of last week’s victory.Their play however did not lack effort and there were a couple of occasions when they could have embarrassed the Port defence. Keiron Moore on 61 minutes spotted Paul Pritchard well off his line and tried a speculative effort from almost 30 yards but though it sailed over the keeper it drifted the wrong side of the post. Later the same player was presented with another opportunity when Port were guilty of over playing in central midfield and Moore intercepted but as he broke free he took his shot too early and the chance was wasted. The game drew to a close with Port sitting on their lead and passing the ball around. Both sides brought on their full quota of subs and there was an excellent cameo from Shaun Cavanagh with some exciting runs and defence splitting passes. However it was disappointing for Port, with the game won, to pick up two very late yellows. Following two defeats it was good to get a decisive victory and a place in the next round when we will be home again, this time to Conwy Borough who gained clear 4-0 win over Llanrhaeadr. It was good to see Joe Chaplin firing again for an hour, hopefully on the way to full fitness. Next week however, Port will face the sternest of tests when they play Airbus who top the table with six consecutive victories. Quite a challenge but hopefully one which will bring out the best in the Port squad. PORTHMADOG: Paul Pritchard, Gruff J Williams, Ceri James, Iddon Price, Josh Banks, Jay Gibbs, Ifan Emlyn, (Dan Dascalu 67’) Iwan Lewis Rob Evans , Joe Chaplin (Dale Davies 59’) Sion Edwards (Shaun Cavanagh62’), Unused sub: Ryan Taylor. Dan Roberts. Yellow:. Jay Gibbs 77’, Dan Dascalu 81’. Referee: Mark James Attendance: 146. Gareth Williams |
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