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  

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

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.