Huws Gray Fitlock Cymru Alliance League  -Saturday, February 1st.

Holyhead ..... 1        Porthmadog ...... 1
Carl Hagan 60            Gareth Caughter 40

    Holyhead Hotspurs became only the second team this season to deny Port
the full three points, claiming a deserved share of the spoils in a game
where the pitch and the elements had a powerful influence on the game. The
notorious New Oval slope with a stiff breeze also blowing down the slope
meant that it would be the proverbial game of two halves. Port with the
slope and the elements in their favour dominated the opening half from the
off and as early as the second minute Carl Owen shot just wide of the
upright from a narrow angle after making a good break on the left. Home
keeper Innes was soon in the thick of things and was  called upon to make a
fine save after Pugh had flicked the ball through to Owen in the box.This
was followed by a couple of close efforts by Pugh and a curling Webber
free-kick which shaved the upright.
    It took the home side until the 25th minute before they managed to get
the ball into the Port box for the first time, such was the visitors
domination of the game. The only other moment of danger, in the Port box,
came when the visitors were forced to concede a free-kick on the edge of the
area. This was short lived, however, and Pugh, at the other end, sent in a
rasping shot which thundered against the post following a clever flick by
Caughter, who had come on as a replacement for the injured Tony Williams.
Eventually all the pressure paid off when Foster broke to the bye-line on
the left and his well placed cross was met by Caughter's decisive downward
header to open the scoring five minutes before the interval. At this stage
the game became a little fraught and with some beefy tackles flying in
Holyhead's David Williams found his name being entered in referee Alexander
of Wrexham's notebook.
    Not for the first time this season, despite their remarkable success,
Port found that early domination could not be turned into goals. The home
side in the second period with the wind and slope in their favour were
determined to upset the league leaders. Five minutes into the half and it
needed a timely Gareth Parry clearance to keep the home side out. This was
not to last long for Holyhead took full advantage of a free-kick conceded by
Port midway into their own half in centre field. The ball was only partially
cleared and Carl Hagan took full advantage squeezing a header in at the far
post. This spurred on he home side as they sensed that this was their
opportunity to inflict a first league defeat on the visitors.
    The game now became very scrappy with Port no longer able to dominate as
they had done in the opening half, no longer able to string passes together
with the same accuracy. The lone figure of Carl Owen upfront struggled to
deal with the hopeful high balls sent in his direction while being guarded
by a possee of defenders.  Port failed to utilise the space behind the
defence as they usually do so effectively and the dangerman Owen was also
probably  missing his usual strike partner Dave Farr who takes his fair
share of the physical pressure.
    As both sides struggled to overcome the elements there were few more
clear chances and the closest to a decisive score for Holyhead  was when
Allan Doutch fired past the Port post from the edge of the box  and at the
other end Pugh forced Innes to produce a full stretch save with a shot on
the turn. As time ran out Holyhead survived an appeal for a penalty for
handling but by the end the home side just about deserved the draw and
follow Flint as the only other team to hold Port this season.

Holyhead: Mike Innes, Mike Davies, Allan Doutch, Jonathan Doutch, Jonathan
Parry, James Parry, Craig Brodie, Craig Thomas, Casey Jones Darren Garney,
Carl Hagan.
Subs: Anthony Platt, Kevin Cameron,

Port: Gerard McGuigan, John G. Jones, Danny Hughes, Lee Webber, Mike Foster,
Dafydd Evans, Gareth Parry, Ritchie Owen, Steve Pugh, Tony Williams(Gareth
Caughter), Carl Owen.
Subs not used: Campbell Harrison, Jason Jones.

Gareth Williams

Huws Gray Fitlock Cymru Alliance League - Saturday, January 25th.

Porthmadog ..... 3    Rhuthun ..... 2
Pugh 58,86               Price 45
Webber 71               Llion Roberts 68

    An intriguing and tension filled tussle between the two teams, who stand
head and shoulders above the rest of the Cymru Alliance pack, was eventually
decided in the 86th minute, by Port match-winner Steve Pugh, with an
overhead lob, from a narrow angle, which went over visitors keeper, Gary
Harris, and into the net. This was much to the relief of the large crowd,
who were seeing their team take the lead for the first time during the
afternoon.
    From the start Port were the better side and ably controlled the early
play but, not for the first time this season, failed to turn pressure into
goals. Carl Owen was proving quite a handful for the visitors defence and
and his probing runs were only stopped by infringing the law. Infringements
which saw referee Evans show yellow cards to both Huw Price and Llion
Roberts. From one dangerous right wing break by Owen  keeper Harris
scrambled clear under severe pressure by Farr.  This was soon followed by a
close call when a Foster effort was deflected for a corner and then Foster
was the supplier for a Pugh effort which flew just over the bar.
    It took the visitors until the half-hour mark before Rhuthun were able
to get their first shot on target when Neil Davies' effort, after a break on
the right, was easily dealt with by home keeper McGuigan. Towards the end of
the half Rhuthun came into the game and after 34 mins Neil Davies tested
McGuigan again with a downward header from Sion Roberts free-kick. Then
moments before the half-time whistle and Port paid for their failure to
pressure into goals when Rhuthun gained a free-kick just outside the box
when John Gwynfor handled. Up stepped Huw Price and thundered a 20 yd
special into the coner of the net giving McGuigan no chance.
    In the second period the home side continued to dominate and soon came
close when a Pugh near post header, following a Foster corner, was deflected
inches wide of the post. Farr then came close following a Pugh cross. Port
deservedly drew level after 58 mins when Pugh received a long ball on the
right controlled and turned inside Price and  looked up to see Harris off
his line. He then sent a perfect 25 yd chip over the despairing keeper and
into the net. On the hour mark Rhuthun had another lucky escape  following a
Ritchie Owen break through the middle to supply Dafydd Evans whose shot was
pushed on to the crossbar by Harris before the visitors defence scrambled
clear. Five minutes later and  Carl Owen burst clear through the middle
finding himself one on one with keeper Harris but Owen failed to capitalise
and the keeper saved well with his legs.
    This failure to take advantage of their opportunities kept the visitors
in the game and in the 68 min and Rhuthun took full adavantage of another
set piece situation. Central defender, Llion Roberts, rose above everybody
to head Sion Roberts' corner past McGuigan and put Rhuthun, against the run
of play, back in the lead. This situation did not last long and three
minutes later Webber bundled Foster's corner over the line, for his 8th goal
of the season and restored parity.
    Port now piled on the pressure and Carl Owen just failed to reach a low
ball across the goal by Pugh, following good work by Ritchie Owen. Then with
time running out man-of the match Pugh settled the match. In the few minutes
that were left Rhuthun pushed forward in a final assault but the home
defence, superbly marshalled by Danny Hughes, held out for a deserved
victory and a notable double over their closest rivals.  At the final
whistle manager Viv Williams and coach Osian Roberts could scarcely conceal
their delight on a day when they had also received the manager of the month
award for December.

Port: Gerrard McGuigan, John G. Jones, Danny Hughes, Lee Webber, Mike
Foster(capt), Dafydd Evans, Gareth Parry, Ritchie Owen, Steve Pugh, Dave
Farr(Gareth Caughter), Carl Owen.
Subs not used: Tony Williams, Campbell Harrison.

Rhuthun: Gary Harris, Huw Price, Adrian Hoyle(Dafydd Jones), Llion Roberts,
Ian Kirkby(Aran Knights), Chris Williams, Mark Entwhistle, Sion Roberts,
Neil Davies, Geraint Lloyd, Lee Davies(Ian Roberts).

Gareth Williams.

North Wales Coast Challenge Cup Round 3    -Saturday, January 18th

Glan Conwy ...................... 3    Porthmadog..................... 5
Alan Evans 65                          Steve Pugh 10
Lloyd Roberts 73                       Dave Farr 14,82
Danny McGoona 75                       Carl Owen 33,37

    This game was one of last week's frost victims and took precedence over
an important league encounter at Buckley. By half-time Port appeared to have
the game well and truly tied-up as they went in at the interval holding a
four goal lead. The second period, however saw a great fight-back by the
home side when a potential banana skin could well have become a reality.
    From the moment player-manager Alan Davies opened their account in the
65th min ,coolly controlling a ball received from a throw-in on the right
and making room for himself in the box before dispatching into the back of
the Port net, the home side grew in confidence. Minutes later and Gareth
Hughes should have cut the deficit even more when put clean through by a
clever ball by the player-manager but blasted his shot over the bar. Glan
Conwy did not,however, have to wait long before they dented Port pride
further when,after 73 mins a cross, following good work on the left, was
fired in by Lloyd Roberts lurking at the far post . Only two minutes later
and the score was 4-3 when Danny McGoona broke on the left, holding off
Steve Cooper's challenge before blasting the ball into the top corner of the
net.
    Port had now lost their composure and looked a team under pressure with
Lloyd Roberts again coming close on the left. Things had been so different
in the opening period when, after withstanding a couple of opening attacks
with Matty Sykes prominent, the visitors got into their stride and after 10
mins Steve Pugh put them on their way. The speedy forward was set free by a
Mike Foster ball over the defence and Pugh cut inside his marker before
sending a low shot into the net from 15 yds. Four minutes later and the
visitors had deservedly increased their lead when a well worked move on the
left created an opening for Carl Owen. Keeper Martin stopped the striker's
shot with his legs but Farr was on hand for the simplest of tap-ins.The
visitors were now in full control and it was surprising that it took them
until the 33rd minute before scoring their third. This came as a result of
good work on the right by the busy Dave Farr whose excellent cross was
superbly headed by Carl Owen high into the home net. In minutes the same
combination was at it again and this time Farr.slipped a low pass to Carl
Owen in space in the box and the striker took full advantage beatin Martin
from 18yds.
    The great Glan Conwy fight back followed with the introduction of the
composed figure of Alan Davies and a little later Port's withdrawal of two
defenders and introduction of two mid-fielders. Once the ball ran for them
the home side grew in confidence while having lost their composure the
visitors found it difficult to re-gain. Port were fortunate to score a fifth
goal  to steady the nerves with the home side, probably justifiably,
protesting that it was offside.The goal came when Carl Owen collected a long
through ball before slipping it into the path of his inevitable partner in
crime, Dave Farr, who was again left to tap-in.
    Though this took the pressure off still  Glan Conwy were in no mood to
abdicate and found time for a  Vaughan effort which brought a good save from
McGuigan and in injury time a Gareth Hughes shot hit the side netting.
    After their visit to the tight Cae Ffwt ground, where every throw-in in
the final quarter of the field assumed Andy Legg propotions, Port can look
forward to a return to the wide acres of the Traeth and the crucial visit of
Ruthin Town.

Glan Conwy: Chris Martin, Gareth Evans, Rhys Rowlands, Danny McGoona, Arwel
Roberts, Alan Doran, Howard Vaughan, Rob Nash, Matty Sykes, Gareth Hughes,
Lloyd Roberts.
Subs: Paul Jones, C.McCrae, Alan Davies.

Port: McGuigan, John Gwynfor(Gareth Caughter), Campbell Harrison, Lee
Webber (Gareth Parry), Mike Foster, Dafydd Evans, Steve Cooper, Ritchie
Owen (Tony Williams), Steve Pugh, Carl Owen, Dave Farr.

Gareth Williams.

Huws Gray Fitlock Cymru Alliance League  -Saturday, January 4th

Porthmadog............. 3        Mold Alex............. 0
Dave Farr 25
Steve Pugh 90
Carl Owen 92

    It took two injury time goals before Port were able to provide a
scoreline which gave a fairer reflection of the gap which existed between
the two sides. Having said that the home side's performance was
disappointing to say the least -something of a post-festive hangover and
also maybe the lack of a competitive game since before Christmas. Alex were
down to 10 men for an hour of the game with their most experienced player,
Jonathan Cross receiving his marching orders from referee M A Williams,
Llanymynech for a trip on Mike Foster. This was a decision which amazed
everyone present and seemed to have an adverse effect on both sides for the
rest of the game.
    Prior to this Port had dominated with good approach play but little real
threat in the box. Dave Farr was the first to test visitors keeper, Massey,
with a snapshot from the edge of the box. Caughter was a threat on the left
and later Pugh and Farr combined well to set up Carl Owen but the striker's
shot flew narrowly wide of the mark. Then after 25 mins the home side went
deservedly ahead when right-back John Gwynfor played the ball forward
finding Farr in space. The forward looked up and seeing Massey off his line
found the target with a clever lob from 25yds.
    After this Port continued to dominate with Alex rarely threatening at
all. Just before half-time Caughter and Foster combined on the left with
Foster's cross creating a clear opportunity for Gareth Parry whose downward
header went narrowly past the wrong side of the post.
    The second-half proved to be highly disappointing with the home side
still creating and wasting opportunities and inevitably  inviting the
visitors back into the game. Whilst Port sat on a solitary goal lead Mold
clung on to the hope of an equaliser and after 59 mins Andy Carroll sent a
speculative 35 yd effort hurtling goalwards and it needed an excellent
diving save from Ken Jones to turn it past the post. Then after 70 mins
Dafydd Evans was robbed on the edge of the area and the ball ran free for
sub Dave Pitson, with only the keeper to beat, but Ken Jones was once again
equal to the task and made another excellent save low to his left.
    A couple of close range chances fell to Carl Owen but the striker
screwed his shots over the bar. Then good work by Paul Allen under pressure
from Steve Cooper kept another Port attack out. When it seemed that the
homesters would hold out for a narrow single goal win came a final injury
time flourish. First Steve Cooper with excellent vision saw the speedy Pugh
on a run and whipped a fine 30 yd ball over the defence. Pugh was there
first and without a second's hesitation drove powerfully into the corner of
the net. The game was now settled but in a final throw of the dice Foster
and Ritchie Owen combined on the left to set up Carl Owen, and this time he
made no mistake. Port had duly completed the double for the season over a
Mold side which had stuck bravely to difficult task.

Port: Ken Jones, John G. Jones, Danny Hughes, Lee Webber, Mike Foster(capt)
Dafydd Evans, Gareth Parry(Steve Cooper), Gareth Caughter(Ritchie Owen),
Steve Pugh, Carl Owen, Dave Farr (Tony Williams)

Mold Alex Steve Massey, Andy Williams (Tony Merola), Lee Ferguson, Gary
Emberton, Paul Allen, Danny Seamarks, Andy Carroll( Dave Pitson), Paul
Hinchcliffe, Jonahtan Cross, Wes Brereton, John Lurtz.

Gareth Williams.

Huws Gray Fitlock Cymru Alliance League 19/12/02.

Porthmadog.......... 2            Llangefni........... 1
Gareth Caughter 71                Bob Parry 87
Steve Pugh 89

    The clash of the two form teams of the Cymru Alliance drew the best
crowd of the season to Y Traeth. Llangefni entered the game on a run of ten
straight wins while Port remain  unbeaten in the league season. So it was
certainly the case that something would have to give.
    Port started the game well and soon had the visitors defence under
pressure with Dave Farr threatening with his darting runs and close control.
After only 4 mins the home side should have taken the lead when Farr broke
on the right and his accurate cross created a clear opening for Steve Cooper
but his shot went narrowly past the post. Only a minute later and Farr came
bursting through the centre and John Roberts, under severe pressure, could
only stop him by pulling him down in the box for a clear penalty. For once
Dafydd Evans, the penalty ace, was not on target as Richard Harvey dived to
his left to save well but at a comfortable height.
    Port continued to stretch the Llangefni defence and former Port keeper
Harvey was soon in action again pulling off a good save to thwart Farr.
Minutes later and Harvey was again in action pulling off another fine save
from a glancing Farr header following a Caughter cross from the left and  a
repeat from Caughter saw the inevitable Farr this time shoot narrowly wide.
The clearest chance of all fell to Tony Williams, after 38 mins, when he
failed to get his head to Webber's cross goal header. With the goal gaping
at point blank range he somehow failed to make contact. Before half-time and
another cross goal header from Webber found Cooper whose shot was blocked
for a corner.
    Port totally dominated the opening half and could easily have been three
or four goals up whilst Llangefni rarely threatened. They had few shots on
target and the only real threat came when McGuigan muffed a clearance and
was fortunate to see Gerallt Jones' lob go well wide.
    Early in the second period and Harvey was called on to make two more
good saves, first to hold a Farr lob and then a Pugh header. Llangefni were
however more threatening and Austin along the left was a danger. After 55
mins he broke to the bye-line and his cross found Darren Pritchard well
placed but the shot was screwed well wide. Then after 71 mins came the first
decisive action of the game following a free-kick on the edge of the box
which was diverted for a corner. Mike Foster's corner was met by Lee
Webber's back post header and Gareth Caughter was the quickest to react and
put the home side ahead.
    This led to a tense period in the game when tackles started flying in
and tempers became frayed resulting in bookings for Wagstaffe and Aled Owen
for Llangefni and Webber for Port. The visitors now enjoyed the best period
of the game throwing everything forward  and putting the home defence under
an aerial seige. Austin broke on the left but Saddler was well off target
with the subsequent shot. After 87 mins Pugh gave away a needless free-kick
25 yds out and though Jason Thomas' effort was partially cleared a high ball
into the box found sub Bob Parry whose looping header beat Mc Guigan to
level the scores.
    With only a minute of normal time left Port deservedly regained the lead
when Pugh atoned for his earlier error and took full advantage of a scramble
in front of goal following another Mike Foster corner and touched in from
close range.
    A tense and exciting finish but Port were the better side overall and
deservedly gained a double over their promotion rivals. This result means
that the gap between the teams now stretches to 12 pts.

Port: McGuigan, John G. Jones, Danny Hughes, Lee Webber, Mike Foster(Capt),
Dafydd Evans, Ritchie Owen, Steve Cooper, Gareth Caughter, Dave Farr, Tony
Williams(Steve Pugh).
Subs not used: Iwan Roberts, Campbell Harrison

Llangefni: Richard Harvey, Neil Jatt, Jason Thomas, John Roberts, Andrew
Wagstaffe, Darren Pritchard, Nigel Barry, Gerallt Jones, Jason Sadler,
Graham Austin, Corey Sinnot, Bob Parry, Steve Moss.

Greth Williams.