Vauxhall Masterfit Welsh Premier -Friday, March 18th.

Caernarfon ... 3		Porthmadog ... 1
Marcus Orlik 66,73.	       Carl Owen 72
Mike Bird 79.

After a goalless opening half the scores all came in a burst of 13 minutes
in the final quarter of the game giving the home side a deserved victory.
Following on the tension, excitement and eventual disappointment at
Llansanffraid on Tuesday this, apart from a good spell just after half-time,
was a well below par Port performance and means that the poor run of results
continues.

With relegation still a possibility Caernarfon were quickly out of the
blocks and soon on the attack. The first threat to the Port goal came when
Aaron Thomas fired a low ball across the box which evaded everybody and ran
wide of the upright. Soon after another Thomas effort was deflected on to
the upright before going for a corner. Caernarfon kept up the pressure and
Orlik headed a deep cross from McNulty over the bar. Still in the opening 15
minutes a long ball over the defence provided Orlik with another opportunity
but his shot was wide of the mark. Port, without Gareth Parry in midfield
and with his partner Ritchie Owen replacing the injured Mike Foster at left
back, were unable to exert control in midfield. 

Carl Owen and Mark Williams worked hard up front to take advantage of what
little service they received. After 27 minutes Owen made a good break in
centre field and his 18 yard effort was well saved by Pritchard in the
Caernarfon goal. Towards the end of the half Port got more into the game and
were very unlucky not to go into the lead when Carl Owen took advantage of a
Mark Williams cross from the right and rattled the cross bar with a
spectacular overhead kick. 

Port started the second-half the stronger and Carl Owen just failed to get
his head to Caughter's right wing cross. The visitors continued to pressure
the home defence and Mark Williams squeezed a corner in at the near post but
the goal was disallowed for alleged pushing though Williams seemed as much
of a victim as a perpetrator. With Chalk clearing the ball off the line, sub
John Peris Jones mis-hitting his shot when well placed and then Gareth
Caughter's header landing on the cross bar it was clearly not going to be
Port's night. To compound matters a Caernarfon counter attack saw Marcus
Orlik take advantage of a Steve Watkin header to break down the left and cut
into the box to open the scoring with a fine individual goal. The goal
spurred Port to greater effort and after 72 minutes a superb Dafydd Evans
chip over the defence into the box gave Carl Owen the opportunity to control
and score from eight yards. It remained all square for only a minute before
Orlik scored his second this time taking advantage of a defensive slip to
break in to the box from the right and drive low past McGuigan.

Caernarfon grew in confidence and had the Port defence under pressure as
they passed the ball confidently and attacked with pace. With 79 minutes on
the clock Mike Bird turned his marker and from 15 yards fired low into the
net. This virtually sealed the game for the home team and ensured three
valuable points which should ensure Welsh Premier football at the Oval next
season. Port will need to lift their game considerably for the difficult
home clash with Rhyl.

   

Caernarfon: Pritchard, Phillips, McNulty, Chalk, March (Bird 46'), Foligno,
Orlik, Irons, L.Jones (Owen 82'), Watkin, Thomas (Davies 90').

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

Subs not used: Barrie Evans, Campbell Harrison.

Gareth Williams   

Vauxhall Masterfit Welsh Premier	Tuesday, March 15th

TNS ... 2			Porthmadog ... 1
Marc Ll.Williams 80,95. Gareth Parry 54

This was a tense exciting match with no quarter asked or given but the end
result left a bitter taste in the mouth for the visitors and surely a real
sense of anti-climax for the home side at the circumstances in which the
victory was gained. It is not usual for this site to criticise referees but
Phil Southall, who had played no extra time at all in the first-half,
miraculously found six extra minutes in a second period of non stop football
when there was only one injury stoppage of note. Needless to say, with even
home supporters looking on in amazement as the game went on and on, the home
side squeezed a Marc Lloyd Williams goal from a goalmouth melee with an
extra five minutes on the clock. It has long been a bone of contention where
referees show favour towards the bigger clubs but this was the clearest case
possible of big club syndrome. Unfortunately it is not only Port who are
punished by these actions but other clubs who have spent a season
challenging at the top of the table. This amazing piece of time-keeping
apart referee Southall kept a hard encounter ably under control a fact which
only adds to the feeling bitter disappointment at the unfair outcome.

TNS started the game at full throttle determined to get Saturday's defeat
out of the system and in the third minute a King cross had to be headed for
a corner by Lee Webber. Following the corner Leah played a good ball over
the defence but McGuigan was out quickly to cut out Taylor's effort. After
the opening quarter of an hour the visitors got into the game with both Marc
Williams and Carl Owen firing shots just off target. TNS as the half wore on
though playing a high tempo game found no way to open up a Port defence who
were beginning to show much of their early season discipline. Just before
half-time Carl Owen tested the home defence as he ran on to a Mark Williams
flick and Steve Evans was forced to clear under pressure at the expense of a
corner.

TNS came out in the second period determined to break the deadlock and
McGuigan had to palm a Toner shot away for a corner. From the ensuing corner
Leah fired low but wide of the post from 18 yards. Port weathered the storm
and were soon in a purple patch of attacking football themselves. Ritchie
Owen played a telling ball into the box and Holmes, for the home side, was
relieved to see his back header fall inches wide of his own post. The relief
proved to be short lived as Gareth Parry leapt at the far post to squeeze
Ritchie Owen's corner inside the upright to put Port ahead after 54 minutes.
Though TNS threw players forward the Port defence stayed firm and at this
stage McGuigan was not called into action. The best TNS effort came after 72
minutes when Steve Evans broke from the back to cross for another defender
Chris King who saw his header curl past the post. 

The Port midfield with Ritchie Owen and Gareth Parry in outstanding form
created two more chances which could have settled the game. After an
excellent and patient build-up on 75 minutes Ritchie Owen crossed to the far
post and Gareth Caughter's header dipped just over the bar. A minute later
and an even better opportunity was carved out for Ritchie Owen to put Carl
Owen through on goal but the striker fired the wrong side of the upright
with the goal at his mercy. TNS were not about to give up and with 80
minutes on the clock the ever dangerous Marc Lloyd Williams turned a fine
Ruscoe cross into the net from close range. The home side went for the
victory but when Wilde's shot struck an upright it appeared that both sides
would have to share the spoils. Then the game went on and on and on until in
the 95th minute the inevitable Marc Lloyd Williams scrambled a winner.

Whilst Port will be pleased with the quality of their magnificent
performance, and the plaudits from the home supporters that this was the
best team to visit the Treflan this season, they leave disappointed with the
circumstances of the defeat.

TNS: Doherty, Naylor, King, Holmes, Evans, Taylor, Ruscoe, Lloyd-Williams,
Wilde, Toner, Leah.
Subs: Bell, Ward, Lawless.
Port: McGuigan: JG Jones, Ryan Davies, Webber, Foster: Owain Roberts (Tony
Williams), Gareth Parry, Ritchie Owen, Gareth Caughter (Barrie Evans): Mark
Williams (Steff Roberts), Carl Owen.

Gareth Williams 

Vauxhall Masterfit Welsh Premier	-Saturday, March 2nd

Porthmadog ... 3		Airbus UK ... 3
Mark Williams 14		Craig Jones 31
Carl Owen 16		        Kevin Leech 56
Gareth Parry 37                 Simon Andrews 85

On a day when the Port forwards managed three goals the previously
scrooge-like defence decided to turn in a kamikaze performance and as a
result two points were thrown away against a persistent Airbus. Once again
the second-half performance was in stark contrast to that of the opening
half. After only 16 minutes the home side were deservedly two goals ahead
and seemingly on the way to a comfortable victory. 

A couple of early attacks had put the visitors under pressure but after only
14 minutes a Gareth Caughter left wing corner was headed down by Ryan Davies
for Mark Williams to turn well and squeeze the ball, from close range, wide
of Whitfield to give the home side the lead. It took Port only two minutes
to double the lead when Caughter swept a pass out to the left for Carl Owen
to get behind the defence and then chip the ball over Whitfield from a tight
angle. A minute later and it could have been three but Caughter 10 yards out
failed to bring Mark Williams' downward header under control. A quickly
taken Mike Foster free-kick on the half-hour mark caught out the Airbus
defence but a diving Lee Webber just failed to make contact.

Having established complete control and played some excellent passing
football the Port defence after 31 minutes committed their first act of
suicide and Craig Jones took advantage of careless defence for a simple
tap in after Gerard McGuigan, well off his line, had parried an earlier
effort. Port survived a free-kick on the edge of the box and when Owain
Roberts was brought down on the edge of the visitors' box Mike Foster
reacted quickly for the second time and this time Gareth Parry took full
advantage blasting the short pass well beyond Whitfield from 20 yards. Port
took a deserved and seemingly comfortable 3-1 lead in at the interval.

Port started well after the interval and did not sit back on their 
lead.  Whitfield had to make a good save from Carl Owen who had cut 
across the box before shooting. The same player received from Caughter 
minutes later and his clever shot with the outside of his foot was only a 
fraction wide of the target. After 50 minutes Airbus managed to force 
their first corner of the game and this was a reflection of Port's 
domination. The visitors showed that they could be dangerous on the 
counter attack and suddenly when a ball was played in from the right 
Leech got in front of his marker and, though McGuigan saved his 
initial effort, the ball ran kindly for Leech to complete the job 
and bring the visitors back into the game at 3-2.

Even so Port continued to dominate but Airbus' occasional attacks now
offered greater threat and Leech came close with a speculative 25 yard
effort. Port continued to carve out chances with some good passing movements
and John Gwynfor on as substitute put Carl Owen through on the right of the
box but the striker's effort went over the bar. Soon another good Port build
up involving John Gwynfor, Carl Owen and Mark Williams opened up the
visitors' defence but no finish was contrived. Caughter then supplied Mark
Williams but the striker was just wide at the near post. Port conceded an
85th minute free-kick in centre field and this was taken quickly catching
out the Port defence with a quick transfer to Smart who played the ball in
to Andrews who beat McGuigan from close range. Things could have got even
worse as McGuigan made a good save with his feet and Ryan Davies had to
clear the ball off the line with McGuigan having rushed to edge of the box.

Airbus will be more than happy with a point to keep their recent excellent
run going but Port will be asking where those two points disappeared to.

Port: McGuigan: Hughes, Ryan Davies, Webber, Foster (John G Jones), Gareth
Caughter, Gareth Parry, Owain Roberts (Tony Williams), Ritchie Owen, Mark
Williams, Carl Owen.
Sub not used: Steve Jones.

Airbus: Whitfield, Harrison, Hopkins, Dodd, Davies, Wynne, Peters, Andrews,
Leech Craig Jones, Smart.
Subs: Hughes, Woods, Quirk.  

Gareth Williams

Loosemores League Cup, Semi-final 2nd Leg 	-Tuesday, March 1st.

Porthmadog ...2(0)	Carmarthen ...2(1)
Carl Owen 13		Richard Kennedy 24
Steve Jones 61		Eston Chiverton70 
	
(Carmarthen won 3-2 on aggregate)

Porthmadog twice got themselves ahead in this second-leg but failed to
retain the lead for a long enough period to build up a real period of
sustained pressure on the opposition goal. On the night the home side
enjoyed the greater share of possession and a large percentage of the game
was played in the visitors' half of the field yet apart from the period
following the opening goal Port always appeared to be chasing the game. The
lack of an away goal made the task appear slightly beyond their reach. 

Things started well for Port and Mark Williams, after only three minutes,
found Gareth Caughter with a downward header but the winger's 20 yard shot
was wide of the target. Ten minutes later and Williams repeated the knock
down this time finding Carl Owen on the edge of the box. The striker turned
well and fired low just inside Pennock's right hand upright for a superb
finish. Port then applied the pressure forcing a series of corners and it
was with relief that Carmarthen cleared without conceding any more goals. In
what was almost their first worthwhile attack, after 24 minutes, the
visitors broke into the box but a poor defensive clearance only reached the
edge of the box and Richard Kennedy took full advantage firing in a shot
which took a deflection giving McGuigan no chance. Carmarthen were level and
now had the valuable cushion of an away goal.  Two minutes later and the
home side could have gone back into the lead when Mike Foster's lofted ball
into the box fell for Owain Roberts but the midfielder's shot from an
excellent position went over the bar. Twice in the last few minutes of the
half Steve Jones broke to the bye-line but his crosses went across the face
of the goal just evading a Port finishing touch.

Port started the second period looking to get back in front and the visitors
under pressure conceded a succession of free-kicks and corners which tested
their defensive resolve. Just after the hour mark and Ritchie Owen,
following a partially cleared corner, sent the ball back into the box where
Steve Jones turned well and fired low into the net from 18 yards. Port
sensed a way back into the tie but once again their lead did not last long.
A 69 minute Gary Lloyd corner was floated into centre field and a Jones lob
took it over the home defence where Eston Chiverton took full advantage to
place a shot wide of McGuigan. Though they continued to throw men forward
two more goals was a tall order for any team and though Ritchie Owen came
close with an 18 yard shot it proved beyond Port on the night. Even though
referee Ceri Richards found 6 extra minutes it was not enough for any more
goals and probably the nearest to a goal came when the ball was deflected to
Carmarthen sub Steven Devonald but his shot from a good position was well
off target.

This was not the most memorable of games with little flow to the play with
progress often restricted by the niggling fouls and large number of
free-kicks. Carmarthen won the game with their clean-sheet at home and now
meet Rhyl in the final.

Porthmadog: McGuigan: John G Jones, Ryan Davies, Webber, Foster (Gareth
Parry): Steve Jones (Tony Williams), Owain Roberts, Ritchie Owen, Gareth
Caughter: Mark Williams, Carl Owen.

Carmarthen: Pennock: Carter, Lloyd, Giles, Chiverton, Rhodri Jones, Kevin
Evans, Dodds, Lima, Burke, Kennedy.
Sub: Hardy, Stefan Davies, Devonald. 

Gareth Williams.

Vauxhall Masterfit Welsh Premier 	-Saturday, February 26th

Porthmadog ... 1		Port Talbot ... 0
Mark Williams 54

Though Port completed the double over Port Talbot they made heavy weather of
gaining the three important points needed to break a sequence of
unsatisfactory results. A solitary goal nine minutes into the second-half
was enough to secure the victory but such a lack of goal power once again
ensured that home supporters were treated to a backs to the wall struggle
over the last fifteen minutes. There were mitigating circumstances, for the
home side was without four regulars and the bench consisted of inexperienced
promise.

Port started brightly with Tony Williams prompting well from an unaccustomed
central midfield role. Steve Jones got behind visitors' the defence after
only two minutes but no forward was able to get on the end of his low cross
and soon afterwards Owain Roberts fired over the bar from 18 yards. Port
Talbot's best efforts came on the counter attack and they could have gone
ahead after ten minutes when Nicky Jones took advantage of some sloppy
defending to send a deep cross which gave Rhys Griffiths a clear header on
goal but the striker's effort flew over the bar. Two minutes later and
Pearson took advantage of further hesitancy in the home defence to break to
the box and test McGuigan with a low shot. There was little more to report
in a lacklustre first half apart from a good Carl Owen turn in the box well
blocked by Jones and an alert McGuigan save just before the interval from
Griffiths.

The home side started the better in the second period and a curling Mike
Foster free-kick put the Port Talbot defence under pressure with first Mark
Williams and then Gareth Caughter seeing their shots blocked and eventually
scrambled clear. This proved to be only temporary relief as another Mike
Foster free-kick after 54 minutes proved a test too far for the visitors and
Mark Williams was perfectly placed to flick a header wide of Neil Thomas in
the visitors' goal to score his 6th goal of the season. Having got ahead
Port, once again this week, sat back, defended deeply and relied on long
ball clearances which only succeeded in yielding valuable possession.
Fortunately for the home side Port Talbot in turn were even less threatening
in the box than Porthmadog had been. They failed to take advantage of an
accurate cross from the left by Matthew Roberts and Wayne Savage's effort
went over the bar from 12yards. In addition to this nothing came from a
free-kick in a dangerous position on the edge of the box when DeVulgt's
effort went straight into the wall. A couple of Carl Owen breaks gave the
home defence some relief and following a good run on the left he combined
with Mark Williams to set up Owain Roberts but Neil Thomas pulled off a
magnificent save to keep out Roberts' shot which looked on it's way into the
net. Owen soon after took a pass in space from Foster but held on too long
and the shooting chance was lost. Though under some pressure Port held out
to gain the three points.

Things are now very tight in the mid table pecking order but with Newtown
being held at home and Welshpool not in action Port remain in 10th place 
but Cwmbran go ahead of them on goal difference 
after a good victory at Bangor. 

All eyes now turn to the League Cup. Can Port muster enough goal power to reach the final?

Port: McGuigan: Jon Peris Jones (Campbell Harrison), Ryan Davies, Webber,
Foster: Steve Jones (Ywain Gwynedd), Tony Williams, Owain Roberts, Gareth
Caughter: Mark Williams, Carl Owen.
Subs not used: Lloyd Edwards, Barry Evans.

Port Talbot: Neil Thomas, DeVulgt, Surman, Matthew Rees, Hancock, Savage,
Lee John, Gareth Phillips, Rhys Griffiths, Andrew Pearson Nicky Jones.
Subs: Shaw, T Wallis, M Roberts.

Gareth Williams

Vauxhall Masterfit Welsh Premier -Saturday, February 19th

Cwmbran ... 2	Porthmadog ... 1
Jason Welsh 70	Carl Owen 38
Jamie Edwards 75

Two second half goals, only five minutes apart, sent Port to their fourth
league defeat in five games. These have been difficult days for Port
following on from their double performance against Bangor. Today things had
started brightly enough with a first half display which suggested that they
would break the sequence of disappointing results. It was followed by a
frustrating second half which followed a pattern which has typified several
recent performances, where an excellent first half is followed by an off the
boil second half. 

Though Cwmbran were the first on the attack with Heal forcing Webber to
clear at the near post it was Port who quickly got into their stride and
dominated play in midfield. Gareth Parry played a lofted ball into the box
which keeper Wesson saved under pressure from Carl Owen and Mark Williams.
Port could have gone ahead when McGuigan's long clearance floated over the
home defence but Carl Owen failed to bring the ball under control and the
chance was lost. Then Ryan Davies tested Wesson with a header from the edge
of the box. Cwmbran's best effort came when Dimond curled a free-kick just
outside the post.

Carl Owen drove a snap 25 yard shot the wrong side of the post after half an
hour but then after 38 minutes he raced to the near post to meet Ritchie
Owen's corner with a fine angled header which flew past Wesson into the net.
This was no more than Port deserved as they continued to dominate with some
neat passing football and were first to the ball throughout the half. They
could have gone further ahead but referee Nigel Morgan waved away loud Port
appeals for a penalty as Ritchie Owen went down heavily in the box.

The second half was a different story as Cwmbran pushed forward while Port
defended very deeply conceding much of the space in the midfield. As the
half proceeded the home side started to get shots on target unlike the first
period where McGuigan was rarely tested. Welsh shot low but straight at
McGuigan and Webber blocked Heal's dangerous run and conceded a corner. Then
after 70 minutes Welsh moved unchallenged to head Edwards' free-kick past
McGuigan to bring the scores level. It took the home side only five minutes
to put themselves in front when Jamie Edwards turned well in the box and
though McGuigan got a hand to the shot the ball went over his head and into
the goal.

The goal sparked Port out of their rather lethargic second half play and
Owain Roberts put Carl Owen away on the right of the box and it took a fine
save by Wesson to keep out his powerful angled shot. In the 88th minute a
well placed Tony Williams cross only needed a touch to bring a goal but
neither Webber nor Barry Evans at the far post was able to connect. In
injury time skipper Lee Webber crashed a free-kick against the bar and the
last chance had gone.

After such a promising opening it was disappointing to end up with nothing.
Port must look to end this disappointing run with a full ninety minute
performance at home against Port Talbot.

Cwmbran: Wesson, Kris Thomas, Kris James, Coughlin, Perry, Fowler, Edwards,
Dimond, Welsh, Mainwaring (Green), Heal.
Subs not used: Mohammed, Hurlin.

Port: McGuigan: JG Jones, Ryan Davies, Webber, Foster: Owain Roberts Tony
Williams), Gareth Parry (Barry Evans), Danny Hughes, Ritchie Owen: Mark
Williams, Carl Owen. 
Sub not used: Campbell Harrison.

Gareth Williams

Loosemores League Cup	- Semi final 1st leg - Tuesday, February 15th

Carmarthen ... 1		Porthmadog ... 0
Gary Lloyd 3

It was the worst possible start for Port after a long midweek journey to
Carmarthen. To go a goal down after only three minutes made travelling fans
slightly edgy. The goal came from a free-kick on the edge of the area after
Webber was adjudged to have fouled Rhodri Jones. Set-piece expert Gary Lloyd
stepped up and curled his free-kick round the wall and just inside Richard
Harvey's right hand post. Harvey was replacing suspended regular McGuigan
and also missing was leading scorer Carl Owen.

Following this early set-back Port had to resist some early pressure with
Harvey forced to save at the near post from Rhodri Jones' angled shot.
Gradually Port got back into the game with Gareth Parry and Danny Hughes
beginning to control affairs in midfield and Mark Williams winning
everything in the air. Gareth Parry on 23 minutes released Steve Jones on
the right with a fine ball into the corner but the winger's cross was cut
out by keeper Pennock. As the half wore on the visitors started to turn
their good build-up play into chances. The first of these came when John
Gwynfor made a good run from midfield and with a well executed pass put
Gareth Caughter through behind the defence but the striker hurried his shot
and Pennock saved easily. Only a minute later and Gareth Parry again opened
up the home defence with a ball down the left which found Ritchie Owen in
space and the resultant cross to the far post provided Steve Jones with a
good scoring opportunity but the winger's shot went across the face of the
goal. Despite this good period of pressure Port could have gone in two down
when Giles rose well in the box to head Hardy's long cross narrowly the
wrong side of the post.

Once they had survived an early goalmouth scramble to clear a Hardy cross
Port enjoyed far more of the possession than the home side and proceeded to
play some of the best football they have produced for many weeks. Gareth
Caughter came close when he cut inside from the left but lifted his rasping
shot over the bar. There was a temporary blip when a couple of
misunderstandings and misplaced passes could have cost Port dearly. Once
Dodds was allowed to run 30 yards with the ball before finding Kennedy but
the chance was wasted with a poor finish. Port then continued to mount
pressure to the end and the home side conceded a rash of free-kicks and
corners as they struggled to keep the visitors at bay. They largely
succeeded in this as the number of clear chances created were few and
goalkeeper action was minimal though Pennock was lucky to escape unpunished
on one occasion when he had to rush off his line to save under pressure. The
best opportunity for Port in the second-half came when Steve Jones burst
past several defenders and his low cross found Caughter well placed in the
box but a miscued shot let the home side off the hook.

This was Port's best performance since the Bangor game but they will feel
that they should have gained at the very least a draw from the game. However
with a home leg to come they will consider that a 1-0 defeat away from home
leaves them very much in the tie. The second leg will be played at the
Traeth on March 1st so come along to celebrate St David's Day. 

Carmarthen: Pennock, Carter, Lloyd, Giles (Davies 84), Chiverton (Cotterell
67'), Rhodri Jones, Kevin Evans Kennedy, Burke, Dodds (Fayers 75'), Hardy

Port: Harvey, John G Jones, Ryan Davies, Webber, Foster: Steve Jones Tony
Williams 79'), Gareth Parry, Danny Hughes, Ritchie Owen (Owain Roberts 79'):
Mark Williams, Gareth Caughter. 
Sub not used: Campbell Harrison

Gareth Williams

Vauxhall Masterfit Welsh Premier	-Saturday, February 12th

Porthmadog ... 0		Haverfordwest ... 2
				Tim Hicks 63
				Dean Rossiter 72

A weakened Port slipped to their third defeat in four games in a game where
a strong blustery wind dictated the course of events. With McGuigan, Webber
and Ryan Davies, the heart of a miserly defence, missing, a patched up
defence held out for an hour but in the end two goals midway through the
second-half gave the visitors a deserved victory. The re-organised defence
saw Danny Hughes recalled from Glantraeth partnering striker Mark Williams
in central defence.

Haverfordwest started in lively fashion with the strong wind at their backs
and in the first minute deputy keeper Merfyn Williams did well to keep out a
Hicks header at his far post. After forcing several corners the visitors won
a free-kick on the left. Rossiter's cross was met by Brown but John Gwynfor
did well clearing the header off the line. Port after a shaky start settled
in and were soon setting up some useful passing moves. In one of the best of
these Gareth Parry released Gareth Caughter with a fine through pass but the
forward did not make the most of a good opportunity to put the home side
ahead. Good work down the left by Hudgell on the 20 minute mark created an
opening for Palmer but the shot was off target. 

The remainder of the half was a midfield stalemate with the midfields
cancelling each other out. Though both sides attempted to play a passing
game few if any clear chances were created. Half-time was reached without a
goal and the weakened Port were more than pleased with their first half
performance into the teeth of the wind. 

As often happens the wind in the second period dropped considerably and the
elements were less of an influence. After an even 15 minutes the visitors
raised the tempo and on 63 minutes took the lead. Keeper Merfyn Williams
failed to deal with a ball played in from the right and Hicks took full
advantage heading into the net from 10 yards. Nine minutes later and the
visitors virtually secured the points with the best move of the match. Good
work by Richie Adams on the right and his pass found Dean Rossiter in space
on the right of the box. The midfielder finished in style with a well struck
angled shot. 

There was no way back for Port and it needed a fine Merfyn Williams save
diving at the feet of sub Algieri to prevent a third goal for Haverfordwest.
Port needed to be at full strength for this mid-table encounter as they are
now losing ground to those teams around them but with a small squad when
injuries and suspensions strike the management is faced with a difficult
task to patch things up. Captain Lee Webber will be back for Tuesday's
League Cup Semi-final but Ged McGuigan will be sitting out the last of his
three match suspension. 

Port: Merfyn Williams: John G Jones, Danny Hughes, Mark Williams, Mike
Foster: Steve Jones, Gareth Parry (Capt.), Owain Roberts (Dafydd Evans),
Ritchie Owen: Gareth Caughter (Campbell Harrison), Carl Owen (Tony
Williams). 

Haverfordwest: Kendall, Brace, Hudgell, Cattlin, Wyn Thomas, Barnhouse,
Adams, Hicks (Blain), Brown (Algieri), Rossiter, Palmer.
Sub not used: L Palmer

Gareth Williams

Vauxhall Masterfit Welsh Premier 	-Saturday, February 5th

Newi Cefn Druids ... 1		Porthmadog ... 2
Mark McClean 71                 Ritchie Owen 18
                                Carl Owen 27

Two goals in the opening half-hour and Port were seemingly coasting to a
comfortable victory but inexplicably they took their foot off the gas in the
second-half allowing the Druids back into the game. After McClean scored
after 71 minutes the home side felt that there was a point for them in this
game and the extra 6 minutes which the referee added seemed an eternity for
the visiting supporters as Port struggled to keep out a revitalised Druids
team.

Port started the game looking like a team in a hurry to shake off the memory
of two consecutive defeats. As early as the third minute Port could have
gone ahead when Owain Roberts chested the ball into the path of Carl Owen
whose shot was blocked and when the ball came to Gareth Caughter he was
unlucky to have his angled shot kicked off the line. Carl Owen who was in
rampant mood broke on the right before feeding Danny Hughes with a clear
chance on goal but the shot went narrowly over the bar. After 18 minutes the
home back four, who had been under sustained pressure, tried the offside
trap once to often and Gareth Caughter held the ball up well in centre field
before feeding Ritchie Owen who had made a run from deep to outwit the
defence, placed the ball wide of Mackin to open the scoring. Shortly after
Ritchie Owen almost returned the complement when he burst down the left and
switched the ball inside for Caughter whose shot flew narrowly past the
post.

Carl Owen who had been a constant threat to the home defence doubled the
Port lead with an outstanding individual goal. After 27 minutes had gone he
controlled the ball in a central position some 25 yards out from goal and
once he realised that he was in space he turned with no other thought but to
shoot and he beat Mackin with a stunning effort into the top corner of the
net. Port were cruising in complete control and if they had gone on to score
three or four by the interval it would have been no less than they deserved.
The Druids on the other hand were hardly in the game and it took them until
the 32nd minute before they managed to win a corner. Their only efforts on
goal came from Hayder, the first when rookie Port keeper Dylan Edwards came
but failed to gather and the ball fell to Hayder who shot over the bar and
again when the same player took advantage of a weak defensive header, but
again the shot was off target. 

What a transformation in the second half with Port from the start being a
good yard off the pace. As often happens once the pace is relaxed the
momentum goes and it is very difficult to pick it up again. Mistakes started
to creep into the Port game with passes going astray and possession wasted.
Cefn started to string some passes and threaten the Port goal. Dabbs came
close with a shot through a crowded box which evaded everybody and went just
wide of the upright. Then Rowlands headed a Dabbs corner over the bar at the
far post. With the Port defence uncharacteristically at sixes and sevens
McClean after 71 minutes found himself completely unmarked on the right edge
of the box and he beat Edwards at the near post. 

There followed a final 20 minutes where Port found themselves fully
stretched keeping out a series of dangerous corners which included a
desperate Ryan Davies goal line clearance and a touch over the bar by keeper
Edwards at full stretch. But Port survived to gain a valuable three points
ahead of a difficult home game against Haverfordwest.

Cefn: Mackin, Dunn, Beattie, Rowlands, Dabbs, Edgar, Stacey, I Williams,
Hayder, McClean, McDonnell.
Subs: Baker, Main, Jimenez.

Port: Dylan Edwards (Steve Jones): John G Jones, Ryan Davies, Webber,
Foster: Danny Hughes, Gareth Parry, Owain Roberts (Mark Williams), Ritchie
Owen: Carl Owen, Gareth Caughter.
Sub not used: Tony Williams.

Gareth Williams