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| Amlwch (h) |
Lex XI (a) |
Airbus UK (h) |
Guilsfield (h) |
Llangefni (a) |
Fflint (h) |
Treffynon / Holywell (a) | | Bae Colwyn / Colwyn Bay (a) | Lluniau o'r Gem \ Pictures of the game. North Wales Coast F.A. Cup Quarter Final -Wednesday, April 2nd Colwyn Bay .... 1 Porthmadog ..... 4 Marc Evans 36 Gareth Caughter 25 Carl Owen 38 Gareth Parry 58 Campbell Harrison 67 A change of scenery , visiting Llanelian Road home of Unibond Premier strugglers Colwyn Bay, proved to be business as usual for Porthmadog as they put in another polished performance to clinch a semi-final place for themselves. The home side opened strongly playing the game at pace and making extensive use of the long ball to put the Port defence under pressure during the early part of the game. Carl Furlong had a couple of early chances first heading a long Marc Evans cross wide of the mark and a few minutes later sent a lobbed effort well wide after a burst through the centre. But gradually the visitors worked themselves back into the game with Carl Owen and Ritchie Owen combining well along the left flank. After 25 mins Carl Owen won control of a high ball forward from Lee Webber and went on a cross field run along the edge of the home penalty area before finding Gareth Caughter in space on the right side of the box. The winger took a step forward before unleashing a powerful 15yd drive which curled beyond the home keeper Mat Boswell and put the Cymru Alliance side ahead. Colwyn Bay pushed forward as they fought to get back on level terms and Jason Jones came close with a header. Then in the 36th minute the Bay got back on level terms when full-back Marc Evans took advantage of some sloppy defending to score at the near post. This followed a good John Stannard cross which was headed back across the goal and Evans was the first to react. It took Port only two minutes to restore their lead when the ever dangerous Carl Owen outwitted and outpaced his marker Paul Jones, to take advantage of Ritchie Owen's ball into space and coolly beat Boswell with a well judged lob.Port went in at half-time just about deserving their 2-1 advantage. From the start of the second period the visitors were in command, now playing their own skilfull brand of passing football. Gareth Parry almost caught out Boswell with a speculative lob. From the resulting corner the home defence scrambled the ball clear under pressure. But the pressure continued and Mike Foster and Gareth Caughter worked a short corner on the right,after 58 mins, and Lee Webber headed the former's cross back across the goal.This was met by Gareth Parry's perfectly placed header into the corner of the net from 14 yds. The Unibond League side were now under constant pressure and even the withdrawal of Port's outstanding attacker, Carl Owen, did not give the Bay any respite. Defender Campbell Harrison came from the bench and took his place up front, and much to the delight of the travelling supporters gained his own moment of glory with an outstanding 67th minute goal. He fastened on to a John Gwynfor pass from the right before cutting inside and let fly a 20 yd left foot special which curled into the top corner of the net. The game was now over and skipper Mike Foster and Tony Williams were now withdrawn and this gave a first opportunity for Borthygest teenager Dylan Jones. Though the home side applied some pressure in the last quarter of the match they failed to threaten McGuigan's goal and had by now generally run out of steam and ambition. This was a fine all round performance by Port showing skill, committment and organisation -a credit to the management. They also created four cracking goals. In the semi-final they will meet Halkyn United. Colwyn Bay: Mat Boswell, Marc Evans, Luke Campbell, Jason Jones, Glen Graham, Paul Jones, John Stannard, Marc Limbert, Carl Furlong, Deiniol Graham, James McIlvogue. Subs: Owain Roberts, Calvin Davies, Robbie Williams. Port: McGuigan, John G. Jones, Danny Hughes, Lee Webber, Mike Foster(Richard Hughes), Dafydd Evans, Gareth Parry, Ritchie Owen, Gareth Caughter, Tony Williams(Dylan Jones), Carl Owen(Campbell Harrison). Lluniau o'r Gem \ Pictures of the game. Cymru Alliance League -Tuesday, March 25th Holywell Town .... 0 Porthmadog .... 1 Dafydd Evans(pen) 77. This was a game which totally failed to live up to it's pre-match billing of top against bottom. Obviously nobody had informed Holywell that they should just keel over when the league leaders were in town. They continued their recent good run of form and in fact gave Porthmadog just about their toughest challenge of the season . The 22nd victory of the season was not finally secured until the 77th minute. Carl Owen bursting through on the left of the box was brought down by home keeper Simon Clemence who rushed out of his goal upending Owen just inside the penalty area. The referee, Mr. J Couthard, had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and also handed Clemence a yellow card. Up stepped, penalty-king, Dafydd Evans and despite having to re-place the ball on the spot converted a real pressure spot kick with a trade-mark blaster. The game started at pace with both sides intent on attack, which makes it all the more surprising that we ended with a solitary goal, and that from the penalty spot. The Holywell goal survived a couple of early near misses.Defender JohnHazeldene cleared off the line after 5 mins to deny Gareth Caughter a goal and 2 mins later Steve Pugh's header glanced Dafydd Evans' corner narrowly wide of the post. The home side were not in anyway over awed and soon Simon Giddings was allowed to make ground from midfield but McGuigan dealt cofidently with the ensuing shot. A couple of minutes later and a good move down the left for Holywell created an opening for Richie Roberts who drew a good save from McGuigan. As the half wore on Port gained more of a grip on the game and first Pugh shaved the bar with a shot from a narrow angle on the right and then Gareth Parry received from Carl Owen and thundered a 25 yd effort which brought a fine diving near post save from Clemence. The visitors defence could not relax however as a snapshot by Darren Edwards tested McGuigan again. Even set piece moves, so productive throughout the season, were not delivering the goods and Webber was off target when well placed from a Dafydd Evans free-kick. No quarter was asked or given as both sides started the second-half determined to break the stalemate. Pugh received a yellow card for a tackle in the 49th min. The pressure was now on the home goal as Carl Owen and Gareth Caughter up front used their pace and combined well. Clemence saved well diving at the feet of Carl Owen and then Owen again came close with a header from an useful Foster cross. Just after the hour Carl Owen fastened on to a well judged through ball before racing on into the box and then agonised as he saw his shot roll narrowly past the post. Though most of the pressure was now on the home goal the defence proved to be difficult to break down and they still managed the occasional break and one from Edwards required McGuigan to be at his best to keep the ball out at his near post. Then came the incident which led to Evans' penalty which decided the match and gave him his 10th goal of the season. Even then the home side were not prepared to cave in and gave the league leaders an anxious final 10 mins and the visiting supporters were well relieved to hear the final whistle. This was agame of 100% commitment from both sides producing a tense and exciting game which was a good advertisement fot the Cymru Alliance. Holywell on this form deserve to stay up and if they do they will certainly be a threat to all next season. Port showed themselves to be a team of character who can battle on when things are not going their way, and tonight that paid off in the end. Port: McGuigan, John G. Jones, Danny Hughes, Lee Webber, Foster, Dafydd Evans, Gareth Parry, Ritchie Owen(Rob Williams), Pugh, Carl Owen, Caughter. Subs not used: Campbell Harrison, Tony Williams. Holywell: Clemence, Gwydion Meurig, Dunnan, Allsop, Hazledene, Giddings, Ben Lewis, Carl Griffiths, Francis, Darren Edwards, Richie Roberts. Subs: Alex Griffiths, Chris Griffiths, Dewi Wilson. Lluniau o'r Gem \ Pictures of the game. Huws Gray Fitlock Cymru Alliance League -Saturday, March 22nd. Porthmadog .... 3 Flint Town .... 1 Gareth Caughter 45,65. Kevin Thomas 60. Carl Owen 46. Flint came to the Traeth as one of only two sides who have held Port this season -having earned a draw at Cae Castell back in September. They came with a very simple game plan to close down their opponents, hurry them and deny them space to develop their passing game. To an extent, the plan seemed to work well for it took the home side until just before half-time to open their account. However, as the pressure increased on the visitors, they were forced to concede a series of free-kicks and as early as the 10th minute Kevin Thomas received a yellow card for a bad tackle on dangerman Carl Owen. He was followed in referee Say's book by Darren Johnson for a heavy tackle on Steve Pugh. The limited ambition of the Flint side was clearly illustrated by the fact that the visitors did not manage a shot on goal until the 29th min when Johnson tried a 20 yd effort which went wide of the upright. Tony Williams, Carl Owen and Steve Pugh threatened with clever runs for the home side but failed to create any clear cut chances against a competitive Flint defence. They forced a series of corners after the quarter hour mark but for once Pugh and Webber failed to get on the end of Mike Foster's inswingers.Towards the end of the first half Gareth Parry came close with a header from an accurate Dafydd Evans cross and Steve Pugh burst from midfield but saw his shot go wide of the mark. Then almost on the stroke of half-time a thunderous Lee Webber long range effort was blocked, and first to react was Gareth Caughter who quickly brought the ball under control and drove past Andy Hughes via the underside of the crossbar. Port's narrow first half lead was quickly doubled just a minute into the second period when a neat Gareth Caughter pass found Steve Pugh in space on the right and the winger cut the ball back to Carl Owen whose low shot from 12 yds found the corner of the net. Port now enjoyed a good passage of play with Pugh soon threatening down the right but this time Carl Owen saw his shot go over the bar. Despite the pressure the home side failed to add to their tally and on the hour mark they were punished for this when Flint managed to force a corner on a rare surge up field. Kevin Thomas rose unchallenged to head the corner past McGuigan and bring the visitors back into the game. A couple of minutes later and it could have been all square when a Lee Taylor free-kick from the right was not gathered by McGuigan and it resulted in an almighty scramble before the home defence managed to clear their lines. As Port regained composure scorer Thomas turned villain for under pressure from Carl Owen he resorted to a bad tackle to halt him. This brought a second yellow from Mr.Say. Flint were doubly punished when only two minutes later Pugh fed Carl Owen in the box, the striker's flick was heading wide of the post when a diving Gareth Caughter turned it into net at the far post. The home side were now well in command but even though Carl Owen came close with a lob, Ritchie Owen had an effort touched over the bar and Gareth Caughter came close to converting a fine Carl Owen cross, they did not extend their lead. The later stages were notable for the introduction of former Port favourite, Robert Williams, who has rejoined the club from Cemaes. With fifteen straight home wins under the belt Port will entertain Holywell for the final home game of the season in a fortnight's time. The chance of seeing a full set on April 5th will surely bring a bumper rowd -be there!! Port: Gerard McGuigan, John G Jones(Campbell Harrison), Danny Hughes, Lee Webber, Mike Foster, Dafydd Evans, Gareth Parry, Gareth Caughter, Tony Williams(Ritchie Owen), Steve Pugh(Robert Williams), Carl Owen. Flint: Andy Hughes, Scott Beck, Paul Jenkins, Kevin Thomas, Lee Jones, Darren Johnson, Lee Taylor, Stuart Hughes, Lee Acott, Sean Beck, Darren Peters. Subs: Darren Williams, Ian Taylor, Colin Davies Gareth Williams. Lluniau o'r Gem \ Pictures of the game. North Wales Coast Challenge Cup Round 3 -Saturday, March 15th. Llangefni Town ...... 1 Porthmadog ..... 2 Graham Austin 65 Steve Pugh 18 Lee Webber 76 Port recorded their third competitive victory of the season against promotion rivals Llangefni, having previously notched a League double, and once again it was by the odd goal. Though the result remained in doubt right up to the final whistle, that scarcely seemed likely in a first-half which saw Port well in control and the solitary goal lead at the interval did them scant justice. The visitors threatened from the off with Tony Williams just wide of the mark in the first minute. The same player, who has been in a fine run of recent form, was soon running at the home defence again but saw his effort from the right go past the post. Austin was first to threaten for Llangefni with an off target shot after 11 mins. Port, however, continued to be in charge and it was no surprise when they took the lead in the 18th minute and once again it came courtesy of an inswinging Mike Foster corner. The scorer was no surprise either since Steve Pugh, another in a rich vein of form, has scored 12 goals in the last 10 games only failing to get his name on the score sheet on one occasion in those 10 matches. Today's effort was a close range header. Port could have increased their lead two mins later when Tony Williams set up Carl Owen with a well judged through ball but the angle proved too acute and Richard Harvey saved well at the expense of a corner. Twice soon after Port could have increased their lead and Carl Owen was extremely unfortunate when he was blatantly pulled back by the last defender as he outpaced a flat footed Llangefni defence. The referee's assistant, although perfectly placed, chose to ignore the offence. The second came when Gareth Caughter, this time, caught out the home defence but the visitors' appeals for a foul on the edge of the area again fell on deaf ears. Llangefni attacks were rare but a long cross by Austin tested the Port defence and Gareth Caughter was forced to give away a corner. Port were soon on the offensive again and Carl Owen, once again put through by Tony Williams, was unlucky to see his effort deflected for a corner. Owen himself then turned provider but, last week's hat-trick man, Gareth Parry shot low but Harvey gathered without difficulty. The early part of the second-half saw Llangefni come more into the game and McGuigan was called upon to make his first real save of the match when he had to deal with Jason Saddler's low shot from the left of the box. Llangefni just about deserved to draw level in the 68th minute when Wagstaffe turned well in the box and the ball ran loose to Graham Austin whose well hit low shot entered the net near McGuigan's left hand post. Then suddenly a bout of fisticuffs broke out which held up play for several minutes while referee Tony Walsh sorted things out and as a result Jason Saddler saw red and Gerard McGuigan yellow. The game now became an increasingly scrappy affair and Port were unable to exert control on the game as they had done during the opening period despite enjoying the advantage of an extra man. In the 76th minute, however, Port scored what proved to be the decisive goal. Once again it was a set-piece and again skipper Mike Foster was involved. This time it was a free-kick near the right touchline after Tony Williams had been brought down by home defender, John Roberts. Another good delivery by Foster and the enthusiastic Lee Webber was first to react to send his looping header over the outstretched arms of Richard Harvey. The game now petered out though Harvey was called upon to make another useful save from Tony Williams and Wagstaffe shot over at the other end. The visitors defence, well marshalled by Danny Hughes, maintained their grip and ensured that it was Port who will visit Llanelian Road in the next round to take on the exiles of Colwyn Bay. Llangefni: Harvey, Aled Owen, Jason Thomas, Geraint Jones, John Roberts, Wagstaffe, Darren Pritchard, Nigel Barry, Gerallt Jones, Jason Saddler, Graham Austin . Subs Corey Sinnott, Bob Parry, Gwyn Peters. Port: McGuigan, John G. Jones, Danny Hughes, Lee Webber, Mike Foster, Dafydd Evans, Gareth Parry, Gareth Caughter, Steve Pugh, Caarl Owen, Tony Williams. Subs: Ritchie Harvey, Campbell Harrison, Dave Farr. Gareth Williams. Lluniau o'r Gem \ Pictures of the game. Huws Gray Fitlock Cymru Alliance League -Saturday, March 8th Porthmadog ..... 8 Guilsfield ..... 0 Steve Pugh 9, 55. Lee Webber 27 Tony Williams 36. Gareth Parry 43, 50, 71 Carl Owen 61 Port totally dominated this fixture against a Guilsfield side who have showed a recent upsurge in form following the appointment of Mike Barton as manager. The visitors, who only a fortnight ago gained an excellent victory against Llangefni, were soon aware that they were to be in for a difficult afternoon. Port came close after only 5 mins when Tony Williams took advantage of a defensive lapse by Adam Burgess and supplied Gareth Parry whose shot was blocked and it then fell to Caughter whose shot was off target. Soon however Pugh was threatening down the right and forced a corner. Foster crossed a well flighted ball from the ensuing 9th min corner which Pugh nodded into the net from close range.By doing so Steve Pugh became the first Port player to reach the ten goal mark in the league this season. The home side piled on the pressure and came close on numerous occasions -Webber with a spectacular overhead kick which was cleared off the line and Carl Owen was unlucky to see his effort strike the outside of the post \while Pugh, outpaced the defence only to see his shot hit the side netting. Guilsfield in reply did manage a speculative 30 yds effort by Mark Lunt which went close and McGuigan was called on to make a rare save from Gareth Lewis following a quick counter-attack along the left. Inevitably the home side went further ahead and it took another Mike Foster corner to create the opening for Lee Webber whose looping header went over the defence into the net. Then within six minutes came an excellent third goal when Gareth Caughter broke on the left and delivered a fine cross for Terry Williams to volley into the net at the back post. Two minutes from half-time and Port added a fourth goal when mid-fielder Gareth Parry found himself in space 25 yds out and thundered a right foot drive past Gareth Ashley. Things did not get any better for the visitors after the interval for within 5 minutes Gareth Parry following in at the back post, on to Mike Foster's corner, drove into the net. It took only another 5 mins before the sixth goal came when Steve Pugh took advantage of a poor kick by keeper Gareth Ashley and burst into the box before placing his low shot into the corner o the net. Just after the hour mark and Carl Owen added a well deserved goal following a Tony Williams run from midfield. By so doing Owen became the second Port player to reach the 10 goal mark in the league this season. The game by now had lost most of its urgency but there was still one highlight left for the home supporters and it was Gareth Parry's hat-trick goal. It came after 71 mins when he reacted quickly to take an advantage of a quick throw-in by John Gwynfor and caught the defence flat footed. He ran on into the box before placing his low shot past Ashley into the net. The game now petered out into a quiet finish though Guilsfield did manage a couple of late excursions into the Port area but could not manage a consolation goal. The home side marched to their 14th straight home league victory of the season and maintain a 15 pt lead at the top of the table. Port: McGuigan, Harrison(J.G. Jones), Danny Hughes, Webber (Richard Hughes),Foster, Dafydd Evans, Gareth Parry, Gareth Caughter, Steve Pugh (Ritchie Owen), Tony Williams, Carl Owen. Guilsfield: Gareth Ashley, Darren Jones, Lee Williams, Adam Burgess, Mat Bishop, Gareth Jones, Gareth Lewis, Steve Edwards, Mark Lunt, Greame McGill, Steve Jenks. Subs: Mark Williams, Elwyn Turner, Jamie Bishop. Gareth Williams. Lluniau o'r Gem \ Pictures of the game. Huws Gray Fitlock Cymru Alliance League Saturday, February 22nd Lex XI ...... 1 Porthmadog ..... 3 Mark Williams 66 Gareth Caughter 23 Steve Pugh 64 Carl Owen 75 Port's third victory of the season against Lex was not achieved without a struggle against a determined and hard-working home side. Port match winner was Steve Pugh who created two goals and scored one himself -his eighth league goal of the season. Port started the stronger but as the opening half wore on Lex grew in confidence and overall probably had the edge during the first period. There were only a few openings in the first half and the first of these came in the 8th minute when the Port defence failed to clear and Mark Williams found space in the box but his shot was diverted narrowly wide of the upright. Then after 23 mins the visitors put themselves ahead with a well taken goal. Carl Owen put Pugh away down the right and the speedy winger controlled well and burst to the bye-line before crossing for Gareth Caughter, at full stretch, to shoot low into the net from 12yds. The visitors however failed to establish their usual control of the game and the busy homesters allowed them little time to develop their passing movements. Lex could have drawn level in the 37th min when it took a fine save by McGuigan to keep out the dangeous Mark Williams. There was little more goalmouth incident in the opening half though the Lex defence was at full stretch to scramble away a Lee Webber header following a Mike Foster corner. Ten minutes into the second half Carl Owen should have put the visitors further ahead when he turned well in the box, following an useful John Gwynfor ball from the right, but whipped a low shot inches wide of the post.A few minutes later and Owen was close again, this time following Pugh's cross from the right. Lex were still, however, very much in the game and soon had the visitors defence at full stretch as they scrambled the ball clear with keeper McGuigan way out of his goal. After 64 mins Port increased their lead when Carl Owen broke on the left before his long cross found the unmarked Pugh whose powerful drive was deflected into the net. It took Lex only two minutes to get themselves back into the game when, the ever dangerous Kevin Breeze, opened up the visitors defence with a fne direct run on the right before crossing a low ball for Mark Williams to score from close range. Port put themselves back in the driving seat with their third goal in the 75th minute. This was also the best goal of the four and was worthy of winning a game. John Gwynfor supplied Steve Pugh down the right and the winger beat his marker before crossing an accurate and perfectly weighted ball which Carl Owen met with a controlled glancing header past the despairing stand-in keeper, Shaun Jones. Even now the home side did not capitualate and they continued to apply the pressure in the last quater of an hour. In the 86 minute Kevin Breeze again burst down the right and McGuigan, in the Port goal, was relieved to see it strike the foot of the upright. Though this was not the most fluent Port performance the result increased in significance with the news that Llangefni, Rhuthun, Buckley and Llandudno had all slipped up and conceded vital points. Lex: Jamie Durkin (Shaun Jones, Craig Thomas, Kevin Jones(Robert Nevitt), Tom Reynolds,Craig Goodwin, Scott Roberts, Kevin Breeze, Martin Plant, Gary Penlington, Mark Williams, Adam Owen(Lawrie Briggs). Port: Gerard McGuigan, John G. Jones, Danny Hughes, Lee Webber, Mike Foster, Dafydd Evans, Gareth Parry, Gareth Caughter, Steve Pugh, Carl Owen, Tony Williams(Steve Cooper). Subs not used: Campbell Harrison, Matthew Hughes. Gareth. Lluniau o'r Gem \ Pictures of the game. Huws-Gray Fitlock Cymru Alliance 8/3/03 Port....................6 Amlwch....................0 Carl Owen 30. Pugh 38, 83. Evans (pen.) 49. Caughter 80, 86. Port bounced back to earn their fourth double of the season, after the minor set-back of last week's draw at Holyhead. However, Port again failed to shine in front of goal, and were lucky to be gifted their first goal by Merfyn Williams, who needlessly handled the ball outside the box as Dave Farr tried to chip the ball over his head. The referee had no choice but to give him his marching orders and give Port a free kick that was superbly converted by Carl Owen after Dafydd Evans' dummy shot. The opener had taken half an hour to arrive, by which time Port had squandered enough chances to put the game out of the reach of Amlwch. Even after Darren Thomas had been called up as makeshift custodian, the hosts were far from convincing in the final third. Webber headed just wide and Farr crossed when he should have taken advantage of the stand-in keeper, but on 38 minutes their lead had been extended. Gareth Caughter did well to prevent the ball crossing the touch line, setting up Mike Foster for a cross in the direction of Steve Pugh, who was given plenty of space in the box to slot the ball in the bottom corner, leaving Thomas with no chance. While Port were squandering their chances, Amlwch were finding it difficult to create anything at the other end. Indeed they only had one opportunity in front of goal during the entire first half. This came from a free kick awarded after a foul by Lee Webber, but Andrew Roberts' attempt from the right side of the box flew well over. The home side were further ahead, four minutes into the second half as Dave Farr was pulled down in the box following a Carl Owen run. A penalty was awarded, and the dependable Dafydd Evans was never going to miss the target. But, with Port virtually certain of victory we were in for a very dismal second half, with Farr and Owen seeing several efforts going astray. However, with Amlwch failing to muster any shots on target, Port's lead never really seemed in any danger. As they continued to create the chances, it only seemed a matter of time before the lead was extended, but it's a good job we didn't hold our breaths as we had to wait untill ten minutes from time before Gareth Caughter got the fourth - he turned in the box well before shooting into the bottom corner following a Mike Foster corner. Port's fifth was a corker, a superb shot by Steve Pugh from the left side of the box that flew into the top right corner of the net - I doubt whether Merfyn Williams would have got anywhere near the ball had he been between the posts. Not to be out done by Pugh, Caughter completed his brace four minutes from time after a cross from sub Tony Williams, to complete a good six-minutes spell that saw Port doubling their lead and making up for earlier misses. Amlwch might feel a bit hard done by, after conceding a penalty and being reduced to ten men, but they could hardly claim to be hard done by after only creating three wayward chances in 90 minutes of football. However, Port's failure to take full advantage of the chances they created, could become an issue when they come up against some of the league's better sides. Port: McGuigan, Harrison, Mike Foster (R Owen), G Parry (T Williams), L Webber, D Hughes, D Evans (J G Jones), Caughter, Farr, C Owen, S Pugh. Amlwch: Merfyn Williams, Alun Roberts, Darren Thomas, Tony Jackson, Andy Stewart, Ben Jones, Dylan Roberts, Mike Goodyear, Kyle Hazelaar, Andrew Roberts, Alun Jones. Subs: Tony Roberts, Pat Roberts, William Paterson. Iwan Gareth. |
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