Vauxhall Masterfit Welsh Premier,	-Saturday, September 24th

Haverfordwest County ... 0	Porthmadog ...0

When you pit the two teams with the best defensive records in the league
against each other what are the odds on the game ending 0-0? Well odds or no
odds that is precisely what happened. Port therefore recorded their third
scoreless draw of the season and overall their sixth draw in seven league
matches. If last week's scoreless draw at home was a case of two points lost
this certainly did not come into that category. 

Port probably edged the opening half but for a long period in the
second-half the visitors defence needed to be at it's best to keep out some
sustained pressure from the Bluebirds. Port made a good start keeping
possession well and building up patiently. From an early move Caughter
released Ritchie Owen on the left but his cross was well cut out by Kendall
in the home goal. Port's best early opportunity came when Tom Reynolds
dispossessed Deryn Brace in the penalty area but his well struck angled shot
was narrowly off target. A useful Caughter cross brought a neat glancing
header from Mark Williams but it was too close to Kendall to be areal
threat. Just after the half-hour mark there was a good build-up involving
Reynolds, Mark Williams and finally Caughter whose shot rolled past the
upright.

The home side countered with some good moves of their own with Algieri, Ryan
and Hicks prominent. They failed to take advantage of a good deep Ryan cross
to the far post and Algieri headed over when well placed. McGuigan needed a
despairing effort to save after a muddle with John Gwynfor and Palmer shot
over from the edge of the box. Algieri again brought a good save from
McGuigan with a good shot from 15 yds.

Early in the second-half Port came close to settling the game when Ritchie
Owen broke well from midfield to find Mark Williams whose square ball found
Reynolds in space and the forward's fine curling shot cannoned to safety off
the bar. Almost immediately the home side could have scored when Waters
found Algieri with a long cross but the striker's header was off target.
McGuigan had to be on the alert to reach a couple of through balls while at
the other end Rowlands rounded Wyn Thomas finding Gareth Parry, who broke
well from midfield and tested Kendall with a good low shot. Though the home
side dominated territorially towards the end apart from a couple of well
struck long shots from Rossiter and a Ryan free-kick they did not really
threaten against the impressive Port defence where Lee Webber was again
outstanding.

Port must now look to progress in the Welsh Cup with its attractive
sponsorship money and to gain a home victory against the always difficult to
beat Cwmbran side.

Haverfordwest: Kendall, Brace, Waters, Rossiter, Wyn Thomas, Barnhouse,
Blain, Hicks, Algieri, Ryan, Palmer.
Subs: Robert Jones, Loss, Mike Lewis, Clarke.
Port: McGuigan, John G Jones, Ryan Davies, Webber, Foster: Caughter(Owain
Roberts), Dafydd Evans(Aled Rowlands), Gareth Parry, Ritchie Owen: Mark
Williams, Reynolds.
Sub not used: Tony Williams.

Gareth Williams

Vauxhall Masterfit, Welsh Premier	-Saturday, September 18th

Porthmadog	... 0		Newi Cefn Druids	... 0

An afternoon of utter frustration and a result which left manager Viv
Williams and the home supporters completely stunned as Port spurned three of
the easiest points that they are ever likely to be offered.

The home side dominated from start to finish and in fact could well have
been two or three goals to the good within the opening five minutes. In the
very first minute the Druids defence did their best to give Port a flying
start when John Main failed to find his keeper with a simple back pass which
allowed Carl Owen in behind the defence for an easy tap-in but there was a
slight hesitation and the forward saw his shot strike the upright before
being forced away for a corner. In the fourth minute a high Mike Foster
cross had the Druids defence at sixes and seven but Gareth Caughter failed
to get a shot in and Aled Rowlands' effort hit the side netting. A minute
later Ritchie Owen lobbed over the bar when well placed.

There followed a period of bewilderment for Port as they could not believe
that the game was still scoreless. Cefn ventured forward long enough for
Shannon to shoot over the angle and Irons to send a well struck free-kick
from 30yds just wide of the target. Soon it was Port again on the attack and
Gareth Caughter broke into the box on the left and with unmarked players
queuing up in the box he inexplicably tried to go on his own from a very
narrow angle and his shot was deflected on to the post. Frustration
increased as Shannon did well to head a clean Ryan Davies header off the
line following Dafydd Evans' corner. A good Port build-up involving
Caughter, Mark Williams and Aled Rowlands ended with a tame header. Things
could have been even worse for McDonnell for Newi wasted a good opportunity
on goal in the last minute before the interval.

The second-half was again all Port. In the first minute after the re-start
Carl Owen shot wide when well-placed on the left of the box. On the hour the
same player could only hit the side netting when a long ball out of defence
put him in on the keeper. A few minutes later and Mark Williams broke well
on the right before cutting into the box but was unlucky to see Mackin get
the faintest of touches to turn the shot round the post.The visitors
meanwhile were reduced to occasional counter attacks and from one of these
Irons had a chance on goal following a good ball in by McDonnell and later
Shannon shot wide after receiving a good through ball. This was only a
temporary respite and with less than 10 mins left Port set up the best move
of the game with Tony Williams playing a good square ball in to Ryan Davies
and the defender found Carl Owen unmarked on the left of the box but the
forward shot straight at keeper Mackin when it appeared that scoring was the
easier option. Druids could in fact have snatched the unlikeliest of
victories when Anthony Williams' last ditch effort struck the side netting.

Port were left to consider what might have been as the unbeaten record
remains but the frustrating draws mount. A magnificent defence deserve
better from non-scoring forwards.

Port: McGuigan: John G Jones, Ryan Davies, Webber, Foster: Caughter, Dafydd
Evans (Owain Roberts), Ritchie Owen, Aled Rowlands ( Tony Williams): Mark
Williams, Carl Owen.  

Cefn: Mackin, Nick Parry, Main, Alan Morgan, Salmon, Irons, McDonnell,
Stacey, Anthony Williams, Thompson, Shannon.
subs:

Gareth Williams

Loosemore's Challenge Cup. 1st Round, 2nd leg. -Wednesday, September 15th

Welshpool Town ... 1	Porthmadog ... 1
Craig Wilkinson 60	Ritchie Owen 78

Porthmadog through 2-1 over two legs.

Yet another 1-1 draw for Port but this proved enough to earn them a place in
the second round of the competition. This was a far better game than the
first leg encounter at the Traeth with both sides determined to play good
attacking football. With the visitors only holding a slender one goal
advantage from the 1st leg there was all to play for at Maesydre tonight. 

Welshpool started well forcing two early corners but from the second of
these Dafydd Evans set up a quick counter attack but Owain Roberts failed 
to 
take advantage of a Reynolds cross from the left. Both sides set up some
enterprising passing movements but it was the home side who looked the most
likely to score during the first quarter. McGuigan had to be alert to keep
out the threat by Steve Rogers as he dived at his feet to push the ball to
safety. The pressure continued with Gary Roberts setting up Craig Wilkinson
with a good cross to the far post but the forwards' header was off target.

Having survived the pressure it was Port's turn to apply pressure of
their own. A long kick by McGuigan was touched on by Tom Reynolds but from a
narrow angle the best he could was win a corner. Port then forced four
corners in quick succession and from the last of these Reynolds was only
narrowly off target with a header.

The second-half started with Carl Owen on for Mark Williams but it was the
home side who looked the most threatening with Rogers bringing a good save
from McGuigan from a free-kick on the left and Ryan Davies heading off the
line with McGuigan beaten. On the hour Welshpool produced the goal which
they needed to level the tie. A quick transfer from the back found Rogers
free on the left and McGuigan at full stretch was only able to parry the
cross and Wilkinson was on hand to turn the ball into the net from close
range.

For the visitors the introduction of Aled Rowlands proved to be a turning
point. From one of his crosses Carl Owen was unlucky to see his shot strike a
defender and fly for a corner. Soon after Rowlands supplied Ritchie Owen
who struck the outside of the upright with a header. It seemed only a
matter of time before the vital goal was scored and it came as a result of a superb 
Mike Foster ball into the box for Carl Owen to play it square for 
Ritchie Owen 
in space 18 yds out and the midfielder made no mistake. 
There was still time for Carl Owen to be put through one-on-one with Solly but he failed 
in his effort to round the keeper and the chance had gone.

A draw proved enough to secure the victory over the two legs and the
unbeaten run continues with two wins and five draws.

Welshpool: Solly, Windsor, Norman, Jackson, Glen Evans, Wilkinson, Mark
Roberts, Courtney, Rogers, Ricky Evans, Gary Roberts.
Subs: Cunnah, Connolly, Bloor, Ian Jones, Pritchard.

Port: McGuigan: John G Jones, Ryan Davies, Webber, Foster: Owain Roberts,
Dafydd Evans, Ritchie Owen, Tony Williams (Aled Rowlands), Mark Williams
(Carl Owen), Tom Reynolds.
Subs not used: Gareth Caughter, John P Jones.

Loosemores Challenge Cup First Leg       -Tuesday, September 7th 

Porthmadog … 1            Welshpool Town …0
Tom Reynolds 62

This was a game played at a high tempo with little time for any dwelling on
the ball. Though the game flowed from end to end it was a game of very few
clear cut chances. 
Welshpool soon showed that they are a much improved side this season and
after only three mins they might have gone ahead following a good break by
Christian Courtney on the left and the ball was worked across the Port
penalty area to provide Mark Roberts with a shooting chance but the
visitors’ mid-fielder saw his shot fly over the bar from 15yds. That in fact
turned out to be the only real chance of the half with both sides playing at
speed there was little time to put in that final telling pass. Port had a
good spell around the 20 minute mark where they forced three corners in
succession but failed to turn them to good advantage. This was followed by a
series of attacks by the visitors just after the half-hour mark with
Courtney, Wilkinson and Gary Roberts prominent. They failed however to open
a well organised home defence which was missing skipper Lee Webber with Mike
Foster in the centre back position and Ritchie Owen in at left-back. The
game also marked a Port debut for Aled Rowlands who has signed this week
from Bangor City.

The second-half proved to be more entertaining than the first with both
sides striving to get their noses in front. Port might have done better when
after 58 mins Tom Reynolds found Carl Owen with an excellent cross field
ball but the striker’s first touch was for once faulty and he was forced
wide and the opportunity had gone. Four minutes later and the same two
players had a hand in the goal which settled the match. Carl Owen was the
provider this time breaking on the right and playing the ball into the box
where two attempts on goal were foiled but the ball ran loose to Tom
Reynolds closing in at the far post to roll the ball past Lewis Jolly into
the net. Welshpool were stung into immediate attack and Kenny Burgess rose
under pressure from John Gwynfor and headed just off target. Welshpool
continued to apply intense pressure but for all their endeavour they did not
create a clear chance though Burgess did fire a shot from a narrow angle on
the right just over the bar. The Port defence stood firm with Ryan Davies
turning in an outstanding performance at the heart of it and Gerard McGuigan
again in full control under the high ball. Though still lacking goal power
up front a third clean sheet in a row secured a narrow victory for Port but
this tie is still very much alive.

Port: McGuigan: John G. Jones, Ryan Davies, mike Foster, Ritchie Owen: Tony
Williams(Gareth Parry), Dafydd Evans, Owain Roberts, Aled Rowlands, Mark
Williams(Carl Owen), Tom Reynolds.
Subs not used: Gareth Caughter, Bari Evans.

Welshpool: Jolly, Lee Davies, Gary Roberts, Jackson, Windsor, Mark Roberts,
Burgess, Courtney, Ross Jeffries, Ricky Evans, Craig Wilkinson.
Subs: Steve Rogers, Will Pritchard, Rob Bloor.

Gareth Williams.

Vauxhall Masterfit Welsh Premier League, - Saturday, September 4th

 Porthmadog ...0           Connah's Quay .. 0

When these two sides last met the game ended in a draw and from early on
today a draw, once more, seemed the most likely result. Unlike last Saturday
's game against Bangor City this game will not live in the memory for long.
A combination of two strong defences and an over zealous referee, who was
far too conscious of the assessor looking over his shoulder, produced a game
which lacked spark and only very rarely did the football flow.

Port had the better of the early play stringing passes together and applying
pressure without creating any goal opportunities. The visitors however
almost capitalised on a free-kick which found Horan whose header was pushed
away at full stretch for a corner by McGuigan. In the main Port continued to
threaten and Quay keeper almost made a hash of coping with Gareth Parry's
low snap shot, and was fortunate to only concede a corner. From the
resulting Owain Roberts corner the ball flew across the face of the goal and
Lee Webber was only inches away from the touch which would have produced a
goal. Carl Owen's header was just off target following a good build up
involving Gareth Parry and John Gwynfor. As the half wore on Quay showed
more in attack, forcing two quick corners in succession just after the
half-hour mark. Then McGuigan had to be on the alert to save a Gareth Owen
shot from 25 yds. The only clear cut chance of the half came moments before
the half-time whistle when Gareth Parry put Carl Owen clean through with a
well judged pass but in the one on one situation Lee Williams in the Quay
goal spread himself to save admirably.

Having survived an early scare just after the interval when Gareth Caughter
broke on the left and almost took advantage of a Mark Williams flick, the
visitors threatened when Darren Williams almost took advantage of a
defensive error but McGuigan was again quickly off his line to save. Play
was now swinging from end to end and Mutton and Williams for Quay came more
into the game. It was however Dafydd Evans, for the home side, only minutes
after coming on as substitute who whipped a fine 25 yd pass to put Carl Owen
behind the visitors defence but the forward was forced wide and his shot
screwed narrowly wide of the target. There was little more incident though
Darren Williams came close for the visitors with a near post header
following a cross by Stuart Rain while at the other end a snap shot by
Ritchie Owen was well saved by Lee Williams who also saw a Mike Foster
effort fly over his bar following a free-kick.

 A third draw in four games for Port who will take comfort from the fact
that this was the type of game which last season they might have lost 1-0.
They also kept a second successive clean sheet against a side which always
provides stern opposition. It is a pity, however, that they were unable to
reproduce last Saturday's performance in front of their home supporters.

 Port: McGuigan: John G. Jones, Ryan Davies, Lee Webber, Mike Foster: Tony
Williams(Dafydd Evans), Gareth Parry, Owain Roberts, Gareth Caughter(Ritchie
Owen): Mark Williams(Tom Reynolds), Carl Owen.

Connah's Quay: Lee Williams, Jamie Holmes, Dean Tuft, Hutchinson, Horan,
Jellicoe, Chris Williams, Mutton, Darren Williams, Kenworthy, Gareth Owen.

Subs:  Andy Griffiths, Stuart Rain, Danny Spray.


Gareth Williams

Vauxhall Masterfit Welsh Premier -Saturday, August 28th.

Bangor City ... 0        Porthmadog ... 2
                         Ryan Davies 44
                         Mark Williams 49

Two goals either side of half-time clinched this battle of Gwynedd rivals in
favour of the visitors. Having got their noses in front, unlike on previous
occasions this season they held on and kept their goal intact to secure
three valuable points. Rarely has a game between these two clubs seen so
many local players on view.

Port started well and after 7 mins Mike Foster found Caughter on the left
with a fine sweeping pass and Gareth Evans under pressure somehow diverted
the subsequent cross to his keeper. With a more controlled passing game in
evidence Carl Owen, Mike Foster and Tony Williams combined well to open up
the home defence and this was cleared at the expense of a corner. Later Carl
Owen broke to the edge of the area but lacked support and his shot screwed
wide of the post.

Despite Port's territorial advantage it was the Citizens who came closest to
scoring with a good effort by ex-Port player Paul Roberts. On 29 mins he
latched on to an excellent ball from Owain Tudur Jones before letting fly
from the edge of the box a shot which flew narrowly over the angle. But with
half-time nearing the visitors won a free-kick in a central position 25 yds
out. Gareth Parry's powerful drive struck the wall and took an angled
deflection enabling Ryan Davies to get behind the defence and shoot past
Whitfield to send  the visitors into the break with a goal advantage. Before
referee Lawlor blew his whistle for the interval the home side, stung by the
reverse, struck back with two more Paul Roberts efforts. He met a Blackmore
free-kick with a far post header which struck the top of the cross-bar
before bouncing to safety. A minute later the same player fired a low 25
yard drive into the side netting.

Port started the second-half confidently with both Gareth Caughter and Tony
Williams on the flanks seriously stretching the home defence. It took only
two minutes of the second period for the visitors to go further ahead when
Mike Foster exchanged  passes with Gareth Caughter before the latter, who
has been in fine form this season, crossed for Mark Williams to get between
the two central defenders and direct a powerful header past Whitfield into
the corner of the net. Port continued to dominate the third quarter of the
game and it would have been no more than they deserved if they had gone
further ahead. Mark Williams tested Whitfield with a shot from an acute
angle after a good build-up. Then Carl Owen shot wide following a Tony
Williams break and cross. One of the best opportunities for the vistors to
stretch their lead came in the 69th minute when Gareth Caughter opened the
home defence finding Carl Owen inside the box but the striker delayed his
shot and it was forced away for a corner.

Port could not sit back and cruise to victory as Bangor have gained a
reputation for striking back in the latter stages. They now started to apply
pressure and the defensive partnership of Ryan Davies and Webber showed
their mettle as they came under severe aerial bombardment. Paul Roberts, who
had been a threat in the opening period, was being kept under control. The
defence had also to survive a succession of corners as the home side fought
to get something out of the game. For all the late pressure the home side
failed to create any clear-cut chances though Mottram almost capitalised on
a defensive misunderstanding but his final effort was wide of the target.

It was a pleasing performance and a rare victory against Gwynedd rivals. The
game also marked Owain Roberts' debut for Port and  a highly promising
introduction it proved to be for the former Rhuthun player.

Bangor Whitfield, Blackmore, Gareth Evans, Hoy, Eifion Jones, Simon Davies,
Connelly, O. Tudor Jones, Paul Robers, Mottram, Les Davies.
Subs: A Rowlands, Gary Parr, Morgan Jones.

Port: McGuigan, John G. Jones, Ryan Davies, Webber, Foster: Tony Williams,
Gareth Parry, Owain Roberts, Gareth Caughter: Mark Williams, Carl Owen( Tom
Reynolds)
Subs not used: Dafydd Evans, Ritchie Owen.

Gareth Williams