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| Cei Conna / Connah's Quay (h) | Cwmbran (h) | Caernarfon (h) | Y Rhyl (a)| Caersws (h) |
Vauxhall Masterfit Welsh Premier	-Saturday, November 21st

Porthmadog ... 0		Caersws ... 1
				Chris Venables 73

Oh! for Dave Taylor in his prime! Port lost a game which they totally
dominated for the entire ninety minutes. Caersws hardly believing their luck
walked away from a game where they were completely outplayed with three
points. Port served up some of the best footaball seen at the Traeth for a
very long time but there are no points for good football and a quick counter
attack by Caersws after 73' where Chris Venables racing in from midfield
touched in a low cross from three yards gave the visitors a victory  when
the balance of play demanded that they should have been heavily beaten.
There perhaps lies the key to this amazing result for Caersws with one of
their rare attacks managed to get the midfield support in the box while Port
failed on numerous occasions to get enough bodies in the box.

Port were on the attack from the start and after only three minutes Mulliner
had to rush out to halt Mark Williams who had caught out the Caersws
defence. Then after only eight minutes Port should have gone ahead when a
glorious ball by Mark Williams put Carl Owen clean through in the box and
though he delayed his shot he should still have beaten Mulliner who parried
the ball for a corner. From that corner Caersws were lucky to see a Gareth
Parry shot deflected for a corner. With Gareth Parry and Owain Roberts
controlling the midfield Caersws were rarely out of their own half. After
23' Webber headed Owain Roberts' corner narrowly wide and soon Mulliner was
in action again cutting out a dangerous John Gwynfor cross. The same player
supplied another cross for Carl Owen to head wide. And so the one way
traffic continued with Mark Williams having his header kicked off the line
and it seemed impossible that half-time had arrived without a home goal.

Little changed in the second period as Tony Williams broke wide and Carl
Owen's shot was diverted for a corner. It was a real rarity when McGuigan in
the home goal had to save from McPhee after 52'. Only a temporary blip as
Ritchie Owen saw his goal bound shot blocked and after a fine sweeping move
Owain Roberts' finish was off target. And so it continued with crosses into
the box as John Gwynfor, Tony Williams and sub Gareth Caughter opened the
visitors' defence with runs down the right but no one could apply the
finishing touch. Then the inevitable happened in a break as rare as summer
snow Venables put Caersws ahead and as they say goals win matches. The goal
did not change the pattern of play as Port resumed their domination but they
were now playing in the hope of a draw.

That draw was not forthcoming and home supporters were totally bemused
asking how such a fine performance could end in defeat. One Caersws
supporter making his way to the bus was heard to say "If we had lost 6-1 we
could have had no complaints".

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

Caersws: Mulliner, Andrew Thomas, Sean Jehu, Colin Reynolds, Hugh Clarke
(Mark Howells), Dylan McPhee (Mitchell), Chris Venables, Marfell, Graham
Evans, Graham Jones, Andrew Davies.
 Sub not used: Mark Probert.

Gareth Williams  


Vauxhall Masterfit Welsh Premier 	-Tuesday, November 16th

Rhyl ... 3		Porthmadog ... 1
Brewerton 45,86         Mark Williams 69
McGinn 93

For the second game in succession two late goals gave Rhyl the three points
though the final scoreline hardly reflected the run of play on the night.
Goals in the 86' and, then with Port throwing everything into attack, an
injury time header by super sub Chris McGinn settled a fiercely contested
match. 

From the outset it was clear that this would be a bruising battle in very
difficult conditions with a swirling wind and a steady drizzle. Rhyl with
the wind at their backs started best though they failed to create any clear
chances. Gradually after the opening 15' Port came more and more into the
game and despite playing into the wind and the rain held the upper hand for
long periods. There were few if any clear opportunities at either but a good
Port build-up on the half hour gave Mark Williams a shooting chance but he
was wide of the target. Almost immediately the visitors won a free-kick on
the right and a finely struck ball by Gareth Parry reached John Gwynfor on
the far post but his shot slid narrowly the wrong side of the upright.

Rhyl's most threatening attacks came from set pieces as they lifted high
free-kicks into the box and from an in swinging Limbert corner McGuigan had
to rise well to touch it over the bar. It was no surprise that the half's
only goal came from a set piece, though it did come very much against the
run of play. On the stroke of half-time a Mark Limbert corner glanced off
Mike Foster's forehead into the goal mouth. There Rhyl defender Jamie
Brewerton reacted first to put the home side ahead at the interval. 

The second period started much the same as the first with little opportunity
for either side to build up moves as both sides were quick to the tackle
closing each other down and allowing no time on the ball. The early efforts
on goal came from the home side with first Hunt receiving a long through
ball but his shot went wide and then a good opening created by Adamson on
the left saw McGuigan pull off a point blank save to keep out Smith. Port
came back into the game and once again it was a set piece that produced the
goal. A well placed Gareth Parry free-kick from the left touchline was met
by Mark Williams' superb curling header into the far corner of the net.
Within ten minutes Port could have gone ahead when Owain Roberts played a
good ball in to Carl Owen who squared it to Caughter who failed to get
enough power on his shot from 10yds out.

Then with a draw seeming the most likely conclusion Rhyl struck again in the
86th min from a set-piece. Once again it was Limbert whose long corner was
headed back towards the far post where Jamie Brewerton was again on hand to
force the ball into the net. With time running out Port threw caution to the
wind in the hope of forcing the draw which their overall play had deserved. This
invited the quick counter and indeed that is what happened and a well worked
move it proved to be. A quick transfer from the back found Limbert free on
the right and the winger's fine cross found McGinn breaking into the box
and the subs well directed header found the net.

Rhyl showed once more showed the spirit and determination of champions
prepared to go the distance. Port on the other hand will feel that they
deserved a share of the spoils as they once more showed that they can battle
it out on equal terms with the best teams in the league. That is the measure
of the progress they have made so far this season. A hard contest but not a
single yellow card was needed.

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

Rhyl: Paul Smith Brewerton, Stones, Burgess (McGinn), Tim Edwards, Mark
Powell, Wilson, Limbert, Hunt (Atherton), Peter Smith (G Powell), Chris
Adamson. 

Gareth Williams  

Lluniau o'r gem / Photos of the match
Vauxhall Masterfit Welsh Premier	-Saturday, November 13th.

Porthmadog ... 2		Caernarfon ... 0
Gareth Parry 17
Carl Owen 54

Caernarfon started confidently stringing some useful passes together as they
had shown in their mid-week victory over Newport County. However they soon
found that life back in the Welsh Premier was of far sterner stuff than that
provided in this dismal display by the Conference South club. The best early
opportunity fell to the home side when following a 5th minute Foster corner
Caughter failed to get enough power on his header and Walsh saved easily.

There was not long to wait before Port went deservedly ahead. It came
following a good home build-up on the left and Gareth Caughter's cross was
deflected for a corner. Foster's corner on the left was only partially
cleared as far as Gareth Parry whose shot from the edge of the box went low
into the net. Three minutes later and another Foster corner caused panic in
the Canaries goal area and as Walsh failed to the gather, Carl Owen's effort
from close range had to be blocked on the line.

During the remainder of the half all the danger was at the visitors' end.
Gareth Caughter screwed wide when well placed, Lee Webber headed over the
bar and when Mike Foster played a good ball in to Carl Owen he turned well
in the box but his shot was off target. Carl Owen was a constant threat and
threatened again when Caughter crossed from the left but when Tom Reynolds
crossed well from the right the striker failed to get a touch when a goal
seemed likely. Throughout this period, for all their neat approach work,
Caernarfon only managed one shot -from player-manager Wayne Phillips which
went high over the bar.

The second period started much the same and nine minutes into the half Port
went further ahead. Tony Williams was first to the ball down the right
taking him away from two defenders and crossing low into the box where Carl
Owen turned well and beat Walsh with a low shot into the corner for his 6th
goal of the season. And no player deserved a goal more than Owen who had
been a threat throughout with his excellent control and strong running. The
period which followed was all Port and they could have put themselves far
ahead as they dominated and created so many chances. Tony Williams who was
providing a real threat down the right crossed well into the box but it
managed to escape everybody. Walsh saved from Owain Roberts after a Carl
Owen cross and the keeper saw a Caughter shot fly dangerously close to the
target. Following a quickly taken free-kick Mark Williams headed narrowly
wide and then Mark Williams became the provider with a cross for Carl Owen
who could have finished the game off but his header was just off target.

In the closing stages Port defended very deeply and gave away possession too
easily which gave the visitors their best period during the game. Though Lee
Jones threatened briefly it was now a case of too little too late. It took
until the 79th minute before they managed a real shot on goal when Lee Jones
cracked a useful shot which McGuigan saved at full stretch. Their only other
effort on goal, in this period, was a Gwyn Peters drive into the side
netting.

Surprisingly this was Port's first home league win but it lifts them into
7th place in the table. Caernarfon are left with just one league win despite
the number of experienced players in their ranks. Port have now notched
three straight wins over their Gwynedd rivals. 

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

Subs not used: Dafydd Evans, Ritchie Owen.

Caernarfon: Walsh, Mark Evans, Caerwyn Roberts, Chalk, McNulty, Hogg,
Peters, Phillips, Lee Jones, Osian Jones, Rob Williams.
Subs: Dylan Owen, Colin Quirk, Matthew Phillips.

Gareth Williams

Welsh Cup Round 3		Saturday, November 6th

Porthmadog ... 1		Cwmbran Town ... 3 (after extra time)
Lee Webber 73'                   Fowler 4', Plant, 103', Mainwaring 113'

Cwmbran manager Brian Coyne predicted that this was a game which could well
go to extra-time in view of the records of these two teams this season. He
turned out to be right but Port will be extremely disappointed not to have
settled the game inside the 90'. They controlled the closing stages of
normal time mounting attack after attack and totally dominating proceedings.
Cwmbran were relieved to hear the referee's whistle giving them a chance to
re-group, as Port had built up a head of steam where a winning goal seemed
inevitable.

In the first period of extra-time Port failed to maintain their domination
and the visitors managed to get their noses in front when Raith Plant broke
well to the edge of the home box and played a slick one-two to open up the
home defence and finished the move himself drilling the ball into the net
via the post. Port struggled to lift themselves back into the game for a
second time but with still seven minutes to go Port keeper Gerard McGuigan
inexplicably decided to take the desperate measure of going up for a corner.
The moment Cwmbran cleared Foster's corner Port were in serious trouble as
McGuigan raced back down field but it was to no avail as the visitors kept
their heads and Mainwaring fired in from 12 yds. There was now no way back
for Port.

The home side had made life difficult for themselves due to a very slow
start and Richard Hurlin almost caught them out in the first minute with a
free-kick from 25yds. But the warning went unheeded and after just four
minutes the visitors went ahead when Hurlin again curled a free-kick around
the wall to strike the upright. McGuigan managed to push the ball away but
only to Mike Fowler who drilled it into the net. For the remainder of the
half neither side really threatened apart from a scrambled corner clearance
by Cwmbran when a Webber header looked to be heading for the back of the net
and finally Hallam saved well from a close range Mark Williams effort. Just
before the interval Gareth Parry tested Hallam again with a 30yd cracker.

From the start of the second period Port were in control and Ritchie Owen in
the first minute brought a good save from Hallam. This was followed by a
Caughter header which dipped just over the bar and a Carl Owen volley which
went wide of the target. A goal seemed inevitable and it came after 73' via
the Foster -Webber partnership. A flighted Foster free-kick was headed into
the net by well judged Webber leap. Port were now in charge and forced a
succession of corners keeping the visitors' defence at full stretch but the
goal which could have settled the game refused to come though it looked as
though Carl Owen was to settle it when he broke into the box and fired a low
shot which ran across the face of the goal and narrowly past the far post.
Then it was extra-time and Cwmbran secured entry into the Fourth round.  

Unfortunately and reluctantly mention has to be made of referee Andy
Richards' performance. In a game between two sides whose intention it is to
play constructive football he blew his whistle constantly never allowing the
game to flow. In addition I lost count of the yellow cards he waved but it
must have been in excess of half a dozen many of them for quite innocuous
offences. In addition he short-timed both halves of extra-time and despite a
fairly lengthy injury added no additional time in the second period.

Port: McGuigan: J. G Jones, Ryan Davies, Webber, Foster: Dafydd Evans (Aled
Rowlands), Gareth Parry, Ritchie Owen: Tom Reynolds (Tony Williams), Mark
Williams(Gareth Caughter), Carl Owen. 

Cwmbran: Hallam, Chris Thomas, Green (Rogers), Perry, Welsh, Fowler,
Wickham, Hanbury (Mainwaring), Plant, Diamond (martin Phillips), Hurlin.

Gareth Williams   

Loosemores League Cup 2nd Round (2nd Leg) -Tuesday, November 2nd.

Porthmadog ... 3(1)		Connah's Quay ... 2(1)
Mark Williams 30		Andy Griffiths 10
Carl Owen 81, 87. 		Jamie Holmes 60

A game of bizarre goal-keeping errors was eventually decided by the one goal
which was error free. This came in the 87th min when a superb 30yd through
ball by Mark Williams split the visitors defence wide open, allowing Carl
Owen to run on and score his second goal of the evening.

Connah's Quay looked the better team in the early stages and were quicker to
the ball taking advantage of some very inaccurate passing by the home side.
The visitors came close to drawing ahead in the 8th minute when a Stuart
Rain header flew dangerously across the face of the goal. Two minutes later
and the visitors went ahead when Andy Griffiths' low free-kick straight at the
keeper rolled inexplicably through McGuigan's fingers and into the net. Rain
again threatened in the 16th minute when a fine angled shot had to be
touched over the bar and later the same player should have added to the
score when he was allowed a free header from a corner.

Gradually the home side hauled themselves back into the game and could have
drawn level when an excellent right wing cross by Tony Williams was met by
Carl Owen who was unlucky to see his header strike the bar. On the half hour
Port drew level again thanks to some more strange goal-keeping. Craig Bryan
parried Ritchie Owen's corner kick on to the head of Mark Williams who
netted from 2 yds. Port now took control for the remainder of the half and
Owain Roberts came close with a dipping 30yd effort and soon after Mark
Williams was just wide following a well placed Ritchie Owen free-kick.
Finally Gareth Parry shaved the cross bar with a 20yd blaster.

The Nomads started the second period well and McGuigan was lucky to scramble
clear after initially failing to gather a cross. The visitors surged forward
playing with pace and it was no surprise when they drew ahead again
levelling the tie overall. The manner of their second goal was just as
bizarre as the previous two goals. Jamie Holmes cut in from the right and
shot low at McGuigan's near post. The keeper seemed to have it well covered
but once again McGuigan, who has been enjoying an outstanding season,
allowed the ball to run through his fingers and into the net. The Nomads
continued to have the better of the game and Mutton fired one effort
narrowly wide. The pace of Mutton and some well threaded passes were now
stretching the home defence as they struggled to get back into the game.

The introduction of Dafydd Evans had the desired effect bringing more
control to the home midfield. In a good move along the right Mark Williams
freed Gareth Parry whose accurate cross was screwed wide by Carl Owen. Then
in the 81st minute Carl Owen chased what looked like a lost cause and turned
into the box where he appeared to lose the ball but regained it to shoot
into the net passed Bryant who had advanced recklessly from his goal. Tom
Reynolds then struck the post and three minutes from the end Owen with his
second goal secured the leg and the tie with a goal which deserved to win
the game.

This was far from being Port's best performance of the season but who can
argue with a win. It was only the second time this season Port have conceded
more than one goal in a match. Quite a record as we enter the month of
November. Up for the cup on Saturday as we welcome Cwmbran Town.

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

Connah's Quay: Bryan, Holmes, Rain, Andy Griffiths, Horan, Jellicoe, Chris
Williams, Mutton, Darren Williams, Kenworthy, Gareth Owen.
Subs: Terry, Mazzarella, Cocks, Hutchinson.

Gareth Williams

Vauxhall Masterfit Welsh Premier - Saturday, October 23rd

Porthmadog ... 1		TNS ...2
Carl Owen 23			Mark Lloyd Williams 47
				Mike Wilde 55

Today's encounter between the teams holding the league's last two unbeaten
records provided the supporters with one of the most entertaining matches of
the season so far. The majority to this season's largest crowd at the Traeth
will have been pleased that Port were by no means out-classed by their full
time opposition.

Port started brightly with their first chance coming after only 2 and a half
minutes. When the ball fell to Gareth Parry on the edge of the TNS, he had
only one intention - his powerful shot had to be well saved by Gerrard
Doherty. Port had the lion's share of the ball at the beginning of the game,
with a chance falling to Aled Rowlands after 12 minutes. His shot went high
over the bar.

The deserved Port opener came after 23 minutes. Gareth Caughter, who had
been lively throughout the first half, battled well to win the ball in the
centre of the pitch. His penetrating pass found Carl Owen's run into the
opposition box. Owen had plenty to do after rounding the keeper, but his
finishing was clinical - the ball flying high into the net from a difficult
angle.

The goal spurred TNS into some kind of action. Tommy Holmes's shot on 26
minutes was, however, high and over the bar. The full-timers concentrated on
the long ball in an attempt to get back in the game. In fact, every free
kick, even from well inside their own half, was turned into an opportunity
to push everyone forward and hit the high ball into the box.

Port continued to have plenty of scoring opportunities; Carl Owen going
close with a header on the half hour after a good run and cross from one of
the players of the match, John Jones. TNS also had opportunities - the best
of which fell to former Port player Mark Lloyd Williams. He should however
have done better and his tame shot from the edge of the box did not trouble
Gerard McGuigan.

TNS could have no arguments with the half scoreline, but came out in the
second half in a determined mood. They got the outcome they wanted almost
instantly. Predictably, it was Mark Lloyd Williams who punished his former
club for not closing him down on the edge of the box. His turn and shot
after only two second half minutes showed why he is such a prolific
goal-scorer and gave McGuigan no chance in the Port goal.

Lloyd Williams was now in a purple patch; he had a shot fly past the post
after 49 minutes and John Jones had to make a last gasp tackle to stop him 3
minutes later. Port did have some opportunities, with Gareth Caughter's long
range effort after 52 minutes forcing a save. TNS, scored what proved to be
the winner on 55 minutes. The ball was crossed in from the left and was met
by Mike Wilde's diving header.

After the goal, Port had a few half chances to level the score, the best of
which fell to Owain Roberts. However, his 30 yard effort went straight to
the keeper. Whilst Port did not have any other notable chances, the fact
that TNS keeper, Gerrard Doherty, was booked after 79 minutes for time
wasting, showed that the professionals were definitely un-nerved by Port's
battling performance.

PORTHMADOG: McGuigan, J.G.Jones, R.Owen, Davies, Webber, Roberts, Parry,
Caughter, M.Williams (T.Williams 56'), C.Owen, Rowlands (Foster 58')
Subs not used: D.Evans, B.Evans

TNS: Doherty, Holmes, King, Aggrey, Evans, Beck, Ruscoe, Lloyd-Williams
(Naylor 83'), Wilde (Leah 78'), Toner, Wood
Subs not used: Taylor

Emyr Gareth


Lluniau o'r gem / Photos of the match
Loosemore's Challenge Cup - Tuesday, October 19th

Connah's Quay Nomads ...1       Porthmadog ...2
Tommy Mutton 1                  Owain Roberts 29
                                Aled Rowlands 90

If you're one of those supporters that turns up late or heads home early
to miss the rush at the car park after the match, this wasn’t the game
for you. The match’s biggest talking points took place within the first
minute and during last minute of injury time at the end of a match that
seemed destined for a draw. Port got off to the worst possible start when
Richard Owen, playing on the left of defence, misread Gerard McGuigan’s
signal leading to a mix-up that handed Tommy Mutton the easiest of
chances on a plate, and Tommy is definitely not one to miss an open goal
from ten paces. But all was forgotten for the visiting supporters right
at the end when a superb Aled Rowlands strike from a free kick 20 yards
out on the left gave him his first goal for Port and put them in the
pole position going into the return leg at the Traeth in two weeks time.
Rowlands had only come on as a late sub moments earlier.

This is not to say that the 90 minutes or so sandwiched between these
incidents were dull – in fact they were anything but, with both teams
creating their fair share of chances. This, despite terrible conditions
as it bucketed down – it’s a good job Connah’s Quay have sorted out their
drainage system or this game would have been in serious doubt. Port shaded
things possession-wise in the first half after the opening minute’s rather
unfortunate incident, with Nomads depending on the pace and breaks of
Tommy Mutton who was a thorn in the side of Port’s defence all night.
Port’s best chances fell to Carl Owen, who was back in action after a few
weeks on the sidelines due to injury, and Tony Williams who had a long
range effort on 5 minutes. Port continued to fire at the target form long
range, and it was one such effort that lead to their opening goal and
equalizer on 29 minutes – the ball coming back to Owain Roberts who belted
home from 20 yards to net his first goal for the Traeth Boys.

The second half was a much more open affair as both teams had chances to
take the lead. Tony Williams came close in the early minutes with a cross
come shot, while George Horan attempted to recreate Owain Roberts’ goal at
the other end. Port’s best chance to take the lead came just after the hour
mark as the referee ignored the Nomads’ off-side appeals, leaving Tony
Williams clear on goal, but he hesitated before shooting, and his shot was
pushed out for a corner by Craig Bryan. Tommy Mutton again proved to be
Connah’s Quay main threat, combining well with Darren Williams and on 68
minutes his shot had to be desperately cleared off the line. Five minutes
later Gerard McGuigan managed to get his hand in to deny a close-range
header by Darren Williams. Carl Owen continued to put himself in good
attacking positions for the visitors, but failed to capitalize on his
chances.

The rain had stopped for the second half, but it had left it’s mark by
then, meaning slippery conditions and rash challenges. Carl Owen is one
man who knew he’d been in a game of football, coming out the worst from
three fifty-fifty situations – welcome back to the Welsh Premier Carlo! The
slippery conditions also spelt goal mouth confusion as both sides rode their
luck and managed somehow to keep the ball on the right side of the line.
Despite chances aplenty at both ends things seemed to be plodding along for
another draw until that decisive moment deep into injury time. Connah’s Quay
will probably feel robbed and who can blame them, considering the timing of
Port’s winner. This is a game that could have gone either way, but as the
cliché merchants would say – if your tight at the back and don’t concede too
many silly goals your always in there with a shout of sneaking in a winner.
Who said Port were draw specialists – their record in all competitions for
the last 4 matches reads 3 away wins and 1 home draw.

Connah’s Quay: Bryan, Holmes, Rain (A. Griffiths), Hutchinson, Horan,
Jellicoe, C. Williams, Mutton, D. Williams, Kenworthy, G. Owen.

Subs: S. Terry, L. Powell, S. Cooke, J. Gambino.

Port: McGuigan, J. G. Jones, Webber (Foster), R. Davies, R. Owen, T. Williams
(A. Rowlands), O. Roberts, G. Parry, G. Caughter, C. Owen, T. Reynolds.

Subs: D. Evans, B. Evans, Harrison.

Iwan Gareth.


Lluniau o'r gem / Photos of the match
Vauxhall Masterfit Welsh Premier	-Saturday, October 16th

Port Talbot Town ...1		Porthmadog ... 2
Dean Johnston 64                Mark Williams 50
                                Dafydd Evans 86

Porthmadog broke their sequence of draws with a well deserved victory at
Port Talbot on Saturday, but they left it late to secure the three points. 
Porthmadog had the better of the first half exchanges. A Ryan Davies
header struck the bar after 24 minutes, but referee John adjudged that the
big defender had fouled while jumping for the ball. Mr John's fussy
refereeing was a prominent feature of the first half. Port Talbot went
close on 30 minutes when a near post cross from the right by the lively
Lee John needed to be cleared by Lee Webber under pressure from Hislop.
Porthmadog created two gilt edged chances in the closing moments of the
the first half. The first was created down the right flank and John
Gwynfor Jones's pinpoint cross found Gareth Caughter unmarked in the box 
but his header was straight at keeper Martin Davies. On the stroke of half
time Mark Williams released Gareth Parry who raced goalwards but his touch
pushed him wide and his shot flew into the side netting when a square ball
would have provided the unmarked Tom Reynolds with a simple tap in.
Porthmadog started the second half as they had finished the first and
opened the scoring four minutes after the restart. Gareth Caughter clipped
a cross into the back post from the right, Davies the home keeper made a
hash of trying to clear the ball, Reynolds controlled and squared the ball
for Mark Williams to score from 6 yards for his second goal of the season.
The goal spurred Port Talbot into action, a low drive from Russel Wigley
after 55 minutes forced Gerard McGuigan into his first save of the game.
Seven minutes later and Port Talbot equalised, Dean Johnson picked the
ball on the right of the box, cleverly beat the defender and hammered the
ball into the roof of the net from a tight angle. Both sides continued to
strive for the decisive winner. Mark Williams set up Caughter who shot
just wide from 18 yards while Lee John and Liam Hancock went close for the
home side. The decisive second goal came 8 minutes from time and it was a
beauty. Caughter set up Dave Evans who fired an angled drive into the top
corner from 25 yards, a goal worthy of winning any match. Resiliant Port
Talbot did not give up and sustained pressure almost produced an equaliser
in the 86th minute when a 25 yard drive from Johnson was brilliantly palmed
over by McGuigan only minutes after he had taken a hefty knock when coming
to claim a cross. This was a pleasing win to end our run of draws and manager
Viv Williams is sure to be pleased with the effort and work rate of his
players. 

Gerallt Owen.

Lluniau o'r gem / Photos of the match
Vauxhall Masterfit Welsh Premier	-Sunday, October 10th

Porthmadog ... 1		Cwmbran Town ...1
Dafydd Evans 55(pen)	Mike Fowler 49

Playing on a Sunday failed to change the pattern as Port maintained a full
set of home league draws. The home side looking for the elusive home win
continued with last week's experiment of a lone striker up front with two
wide men playing in more forward positions. Port started well keeping
possession and Cwmbran found it difficult to break out from defence
especially with a stiff breeze favouring the home side. This in fact proved
to be the pattern for the first half with the visitors threatening mainly
from quick counter attacks.

As early as the 5th minute Ritchie Owen played a good ball in to Mark
Williams on the edge of the box but the forwards' shot was wide of the
target. Despite pressure Port did not create many chances though Owain
Roberts with a good low cross from the right set up Dafydd Evans but the
shot was diverted for a corner. Despite their restricted possession Cwmbran
looked dangerous on the break with Chris Thomas and Kaid Mohammed showing
pace and skill in setting up a good attack which needed prompt action from
McGuigan in the home goal. In fact the visitors could have gone ahead when
they broke quickly following a Port corner and Kaid Mohammed saw a powerful
low angled shot strike the far post before bouncing to safety. 

In the second period with the wind at their backs Cwmbran started brightly
and within four minutes had breached a home defence which had only conceded
one previous goal this term at the Traeth. It came as a result of a good
break on the right by Tony Green before delivering an excellent far post
cross which was met perfectly by Mike Fowler giving McGuigan no chance. Port
were stung into action by this reverse and it heralded another long period
of territorial domination. Ritchie Owen was narrowly off target following a
quickly taken free-kick and after a good build-up Gareth Parry could not get
quite enough power on his header which went straight at keeper Wesson. The
pressure told after 55 mins when referee Woodthorpe pointed to the spot for
a handling offence by Jason Welsh. Up stepped Dafydd Evans and, though he has not had a
penalty to convert for some time, made no mistake placing the ball well out
of Wesson's reach.

Having drawn level Port continued to dominate and Gareth Parry, after
showing excellent control in the box, unfortunately saw his shot fly
narrowly over the bar. Aled Rowlands broke to the bye-line but there was no
one on hand to turn in his low cross. Cwmbran were still dangerous on the
break and it needed good defence by John Gwynfor to keep out Mohammed racing
away following a Port corner. Another time McGuigan had to advance to the
edge of the area and gather the ball at Mohammed's feet. To the end Port
drove forward with Tom Reynolds breaking through and Wesson was only able to
push his shot away towards Mark Williams whose shot was blocked. Port's
final unsuccessful effort to gain a deserved victory came when Gareth Parry
drove low from the edge of the box but Wesson once again got his body behind
the shot and gathered safely.

Port will be disappointed at not securing a home win but on the other hand
they will recall that last season Cwmbran performed the double over them.

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

Cwmbran: Wesson, Green, James, Coughlin, Welsh, Fowler, Martin Phillips,
Chris Thomas, Kaid Mohammed, Dimond, Hurlin.
Subs: Fernquest, Hanbury, Plant.

Gareth Williams 


Welsh FA Cup Round 2 - Saturday, October 2nd.

Newtown ... 0	Porthmadog ... 1
		Gareth Parry 68

Port made their second visit to Latham Park in just three weeks and with a
tight 1-1 draw still alive in the memory both sides were expecting another
close contest especially as Newtown had notched two good wins in the last
fortnight. That is how it turned out and from early in the game it was
apparent that one goal would probably be enough to decide entry into the
third round. 

After a predictably goalless opening half the result in the end hinged on a
68th minute Gareth Parry goal. The same player had previously come closest
to scoring with a fine far post header which shaved the top of the crossbar,
following a 52nd min Dafydd Evans cross. The decisive score followed closely
after the introduction of Mark Williams who broke to the bye-line on the
right before unleashing a fine low cross. The former Newtown regular found
Gareth Parry breaking into the box from midfield. Parry's first effort was
scrambled out by keeper Edwards but the midfielder reacted quickly and
steered his subsequent effort wide of Edwards and a covering defender and
into the net. From then on it was a question of whether the visitors defence
could hold on for another clean sheet.

During the opening half Port had enjoyed the lion's share of the attacking
play. One of their best best early efforts came via a  well executed volley
by Tom Reynolds and it needed a last ditch goaline clearance by Giles to
keep it out. Minutes later and Port should have gone ahead when a defensive
lapse allowed Gareth Caughter through one-on-one with keeper Edwards but his
touch let him down and when he tried to round the keeper Edwards proved
equal to the task. Later it took another goaline clearance by Giles to
prevent an opening goal when a Dafydd Evans corner was flicked on by Webber.
The nearest that the home side came to scoring came as early as the 10th
minute when the meanest defence in the league was glad to see the ball
booted out from under the bar following scramble in the six yard box.

In the second period both sides stepped up the pressure in the hope of
avoiding extra-time and the dreaded penalty shoot out. McGuigan was in
action saving well and one speculative effort by Oliver Williams had to be
tipped over the bar at full stretch. Ryan Davies, the 'Ar y Marc' player of
the month, produced a fine tackle to keep out the skilfull Mick Brown. At
the other end Gareth Caughter and Aled Rowlands produced some good runs
along the wings stretching the home defence. 

Then came the goal which decided the tie and as Newtown attempted to raise
the game it was a case, for Port, of producing a third consecutive clean
sheet. Despite the pressure McGuigan and the defence were able to hold out.
Shots from Sam Bowen flew wide and Danny Field, a young player who is being
watched by several Coca Cola League clubs, should have done better when he
broke into the box on the left but his shot screwed wide of the upright.
Another save from McGuigan, a  defender's block when Desmoreaux fired at
goal, a couple of headers by Ryan Davies and Lee Webber and Port were in the
third round draw looking forward to picking up some very useful sponsorship
money.
The referee was Ray Ellingham who did an excellent job.

Newtown : Edwards, Brown, Oliver Williams, Giles, Allen, Moon, Futcher,
Gareth hUghes, Field, Sam Bowen, Desmoreaux.
Subs: Andrew Webb, R Harris, Sudlow.

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

Gareth Williams.

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