Principality Building Society, Welsh Premier -Tuesday, September 18th
CPD Porthmadog ... 0 TNS ... 1
Baker 94'
A header, in the 4th minute of injury time by Phil Baker enabled The New
Saints to steal all three points. The award of the corner had been hotly
disputed by the Port defence but Baker met Luke Holden's corner at the far
post to head past Sagar. Porthmadog's performance on the night deserved at
very least a share of the points as they matched the champions for quality
and could also claim that they created more and better chances over the
ninety minutes. Port entered this game on the back of five straight league
defeats and every piece of luck and, in that situation, every disputed
decision seems to go against you. On the other hand TNS are used to winning
and expect to win and in the end make their own luck.
The visitors were first on the attack with Alfie Carter lifting a shot from
the edge of the box over the bar. A minute later Karl Luisi cut across field
to find Marcus Orlik, whose shot from 20 yards looked goal bound, but with
Harrison beaten it struck the crossbar. Soon after Carl Owen had a header
cleared off the line. At the other end Holden screwed a shot across the face
of goal. Port again struck the upright after 20 minutes as Gareth Parry
thundered a shot from 25 yards. TNS struck straight back with Sagar turning
Leah's shot round the post and an even better chance for Wilde whose header
flew over the bar. With John Gwynfor and Rhys Roberts outstanding at the
heart of the home defence Carter and Wilde were generally reduced to
snatching at half chances. At the other end Luisi, who seem to relish his
role on the left side of midfield, drew a good save from Harrison at his
near post. But TNS came again towards the interval with Wilde heading over
when well placed and a Roscoe effort striking the upright.
Early in the second period with Port still matching the champions Luisi and
Foster combined well down the left to create a chance for Carl Owen who
controlled well in the box but his shot cleared the bar. Soon after Paul
Roberts had his shot pushed into the side netting by Harrison. A long range
effort by Holden for TNS was turned round the post by Sagar. Play was end to
end as Beattie for Port found Carl Owen in the box but the shot went
narrowly over the target. Both sides had good periods of attack in the
second half with the home side again matching TNS for quality. Carter came
close at the far post to head on Wilde's flick. Four minutes from time Sagar
pulled off another good save to gather Holden's well hit free kick cleanly.
The referee found some extra time in an injury free half and deep into that
time came the TNS winner.
Though the players and management will feel hard done by tonight -on
reflection they will realise that the corner has surely been turned and soon
points will be picked up. There were excellent performances throughout the
team and Warren Beattie and Gareth Parry could well forge a central mid
field partnership that will make the problems in that department seem a
thing of the past.
Porthmadog: Joe Sagar; Kyle Jacobs, John G Jones, Rhys Roberts, Mike Foster:
Marcus Orlik (Clayton Blackmore 75'), Gareth Parry, Warren Beattie, Karl
Luisi: Paul Roberts, Carl Owen (Adam Docker 79')
Sub not used: Carl Jones.
TNS: Harrison, Courtney, King (Wood 77'), Baker, Taylor, Leah, Roscoe,
Carter, Wilde, Hogan (Beck 60'), Holden.
Sub not used: Naylor
Referee Mark Petch (Deganwy) Attendance: 193
Gareth Williams
Principality Building Society, Welsh Premier -Saturday, September 15th
Airbus UK Broughton ... 2 CPD Porthmadog ... 0
Gareth Owen 65'
James McIntosh 90'
The result of this game turned on a highly controversial substitute
linesman's decision eight minutes from time. With referee Andy Richards
having limped off in the 75th minute the refereeing duties were taken by an
assistant. This in turn meant that referee's assessor Paul Davies was
pressed into service as a replacement linesman. Seven minutes later and it
was decision time for both. In the 81st minute Carl Owen burst through the
Airbus defence but with only the keeper Andy Hughes to beat he was
unceremoniously upended -a situation which demanded a straight red card went
unpunished apart from the free kick and a yellow card for Port complainant
Richard Smart! Smart however quickly recovered composure and drove a low
free kick past Andy Hughes to bring the scores level, or so it seemed to
everyone but not to Paul Davies who raised his flag and the goal was
disallowed. Even the home supporters were totally mystified leaving an irate
Clayton Blackmore barely able to contain himself. Such is the misfortune
which befalls a club struggling to break a run of defeats.
This was a game low on entertainment as both sides struggled to master the
tricky conditions -a combination of a hard surface lively bouncing ball and
a blustery wind which is the usual accompaniment to games at The Airfield.
The ball was suitably airborne for much of the time with neither side
seemingly able to get the ball down and play it to feet. With the aid of the
wind the home side edged the opening half but there was little or no end
product by either team. Sagar was in action for Port after 9' when he pulled
off a good save at his near post to deny Hallows. The nearest the visitors
came to scoring came after 37' when Gareth Parry won the ball near the
corner flag and cut in to exchange passes with Luisi but Andy Hughes was out
quickly to collect off Parry's toe. Near the interval Desmoreaux for Airbus
twice sent in low shots from 20 yards but narrowly wide of the target.
If Airbus shaded the opening half Port probably did the same in the second
period but again neither keeper was too often troubled as neither side
seemed able to keep possession for long enough to develop a sustained
attack. The deadlock was eventually broken by a rare piece of quality when
Gareth Owen was allowed to break from deep before playing a slick one-two
with Desmoreaux and on receiving the return pass was clear on goal and
slotted it low past Sagar. Hussaney threatened to increase the lead seven
minutes later but his shot hit the outside of the upright. There were a
couple of good Port breaks from Carl Owen and Richard Smart but the final
ball went astray and left Hughes again untested. Then came the 81st minute
of high controversy and to add insult to injury Richard Smart received a
second yellow and his marching orders. Port down to 10 men switched to
playing three at the back and in the 90th minute found themselves stretched
as Hussaney and Hooley played the ball across the field to an unmarked
McIntosh on the left and the striker had the simplest of tasks to put the
ball into the net.
Home supporters will ask how the new players fared. Gareth Parry certainly
stood out working hard and adding much needed quality in midfield. In the
second half Warren Beattie showed up well winning the ball and keeping Port
moving forward. For the first hour Kyle Jacobs at right back showed up well
but drifted out of the game late on. Against a physically strong Airbus
rearguard Karl Luisi gave the ball away too often and lacked the pace to get
behind the home defence. Now four points adrift Port face a mighty task
against TNS on Tuesday.
Porthmadog: Joe Sagar, Kyle Jacobs, John G Jones, Rhys Roberts, Mike Foster:
Marcus Orlik (Carl Jones 87'), Gareth Parry, Warren Beattie, Aled Rowlands
(Richard Smart 75'): Paul Roberts (Carl Owen 64'), Karl Luisi.
Sub not used: Iwan Williams. Red: Richard Smart 89' (Two Yellows) Yellow:
Gareth Parry 26', Paul Roberts 37', Richard Smart 89'
Airbus: Andy Hughes, Ryan Edwards, Steve Hopkins (Connelly 90'), Desmoreaux,
Sudlow, Allen, Wright (David Hughes 68'), Gareth Owen, Hallows (Hussanney
50'), McIntosh, Hooley.
Yellow: Gareth Sudlow 87' Alan Hooley 90'
Referee: Andy Richards Attendance 123
Gareth Williams
Principality Building Society, Welsh Premier -Sunday, September 9th
CPD Porthmadog ... 0 Haverfordwest County ... 2
Neil Thomas 28'
Phil Cattlin 67'
Haverfordwest ran out comfortable winners and the two goals, one in each
half, hardly reflect the gulf between the two sides on the day. The visitors
looked the better side from the off and were soon odds on to continue their
excellent run of results when visiting the Traeth. They returned to the
south west with the full points for the fourth consecutive time.
Haverfordwest were on the attack from the first whistle and after 3 mins
Christopher turned well in the box but his shot was deflected for a corner.
Porthmadog's ill luck with injuries looks set to continue -still without
Harvey, Foster, Ryan Davies and Blackmore they were able to add Jason Sadler
to that list, as he pulled up injured after only 11 mins to be replaced. The
home side survived a couple of Jonathan Coates corners and Rhys Roberts did
well to head clear a dangerous cross from Neil Thomas. Pressure on the home
goal continued and Sagar was forced into a couple of good saves. But that
inevitable goal came in the 27th minute but needed an element of good
fortune. Neil Thomas cut inside and from the left and his shot from 18 yards
deflected off John G Jones leaving Sagar with no chance. The visitors
continued to dominate for the remainder of the half and Port's most likely
avenue to get into the game was to release Paul Roberts and newcomer Karl
Luisi -who showed some good touches-. Their passing, however, was rarely
accurate enough to bring this about.
At the start of the second half Port came close to getting back into the
game when a good move set up Karl Luisi cutting in from the right forced
Idzi into a good save at his near post. Luisi then struck the side netting
and with Port enjoying a better period Paul Roberts put Carl Jones away but
the winger's shot went across the face of the visitors' goal. This proved to
be as good as it got for the home side as Haverfordwest regained the upper
hand and Christopher's cross field ball, in the 67th minute found Cattlin
free on the right and after breaking into the box fired a low shot past
Sagar to double the lead. Soon after Sagar needed to be at his best to
thwart, first Coates and then Christopher, from increasing the deficit.
Despite a change of formation and the introduction of Carl Owen to
supplement a couple of good runs from Luisi nothing could shake the
composure of the visitors who made light work of winding down the clock to
ensure the victory. Though Danny Hughes hit the side netting late on it was
Woodrow and then Coates who looked the more likely to add to the score and
that the score remained at 2-0 is due in no small measure to the efforts of
Rhys Roberts and John Gwynfor at the heart of the defence.
Haverfordwest controlled this game from start to finish ruling the roost in
midfield with former Port player Neil Thomas and Tom Ramasut always finding
space, providing width and having ample time set up the movements which kept
Port under constant pressure. Warren Beattie, making his debut in midfield
for Porthmadog, by contrast was always under heavy pressure when he received
the ball and was never given an opportunity in a creative roll.
With the transfer window now shut Port -still pointless- will need to bring
the best out of the current squad and hope that some of the experienced
players who are currently injured can bring the experience of a more settled
period in Port's history to help stabilise the ship.
Porthmadog: Joe Sagar: Iwan Williams (Richard Smart 73'), John G Jones, Rhys
Roberts, Aled Rowlands: Jason Sadler (Carl Jones 11')(Carl Owen 73'), Danny
Hughes, Warren Beattie, Iwan Tomos: Paul Roberts, Karl Luisi.
Yellow: Rhys Roberts 55', Iwan Tomos 58' Richard Smart 73'
Haverfordwest: Idzi, Terry Evans, Wayne Jones, Gilderdale, Elliot (Durnam
73'), Neil Thomas, Cattlin, Ramasut, Woodrow, Christopher, Coates.
Subs not used: Peter Thomas, Briers.
Yellow: Jonathan Coates 51', Neil Thomas 84'
Referee: Mark Petch (Deganwy) Attendance: 153
Gareth Williams
The Welsh Premier League Cup - Tuesday, September 4th.
Caernarfon Town ...2 CPD Porthmadog ... 2
Bobby Jones 45' Paul Roberts 48'
John Rowley 49' Ceri Roberts 83'
Both sides relied heavily on squad players and reserves in this entertaining
League Cup encounter. Port's injury list continues to grow with Carl Owen
and Richard Smart added to the six first team players already injured. Carl
Jones was back, however, after serving a three match suspension.
Port started well and Jason Sadler could have opened the scoring in only the
second minute after he was put through by Barry Evans. His shot however, ran
across the face of the goal. Vernon in the home goal was tested by an 11th
minute Carl Jones effort but managed to divert it for a corner. Carl Jones
again a couple of minutes later almost took advantage of an excellent cross
field ball by Sadler but the shot drifted wide. Sadler again got behind the
defence after 20 minutes but delayed his shot when well placed. Port were
enjoying the best of the play and Sagar in goal had little to do until he
saved a 25 yard effort from Layton Maxwell after half an hour. Against the
run of play it was the home side who went ahead on the stroke of half time.
Bobby Jones took advantage of some hesitant defence to score from 10 yards.
Only two minutes into the second half Porthmadog struck back and it was Paul
Roberts who turned well in the box before firing low past Vernon. The scores
remained level for only a minute as the flurry of goals either side of the
interval continued. Rowley for Caernarfon broke well down the right before
taking advantage of a sudden rush of blood by young keeper Joe Sagar. The
keeper raced out of his goal and provided Rowley with the opportunity to
fire low into an empty net. It was Port who continued to enjoy the better of
the attacking play and Vernon had to scramble away Rhys Roberts' header
following a Jason Sadler corner. 56 minutes and Paul Roberts came close
after a good Port build up. Caernarfon still looked dangerous on the break
and both Rowley and Peters came close and Sagar also had to pull off a good
save to keep Rowley out. Paul Roberts should have brought Port level again
in the 81st minute but saw the simplest tap in screw wide after Vernon had
palmed a Sadler lob on to the bar. Two minutes later and Port were level
when sub Ceri Roberts chased a ball into the box to charge down Vernon's
attempted clearance into the net. It was no more than Port deserved and in
fact they could have won the game with 90 minutes on the clock. A superb
Aled Rowlands ball put Paul Roberts behind the defence but he delayed
slightly and a good defensive tackle saved the day for the home side.
An inexperienced Porthmadog side continued in the same vein as their second
half performance at Newtown. With Danny Hughes and Aled Rowlands again
controlling midfield and Rhys Roberts outstanding at the back confidence is
returning to the side following a dismal start. Enough chances were created
to have won this game comfortably and both management and supporters have to
be pleased with the nature of the performance.
Porthmadog: Joe Sagar, Iwan Williams, John G Jones, Rhys Roberts, Barry
Evans: Carl Jones (Ceri Roberts 75'), Iwan Thomas (Jon Peris Jones 71'),
Danny Hughes, Aled Rowlands: Jason Sadler, Paul Roberts.
Yellow: Iwan Thomas 18', John P Jones 88'.
Caernarfon: Vernon, Mike Jones, Phil Doran, McGarry (Mark Harris 59'),
Eifion Jones, Quinn (Gwyn Peters 46'), Ojapah, Maxwell, Bobby Jones, John
Rowley, Kyle Simpson (Mark Thomas 71').
Referee: J B Roberts. Attendance: 177
Gareth Williams
Principality Building Society Welsh Premier -Saturday, September 1st.
Newtown FC ... 4 CPD Porthmadog ... 2
Marc L Williams 4',18'. Rhys Roberts 68'
Kevin Scott 15' Paul Roberts 78'
Richard Cooke 26
This game had been decided by the 26th minute for by that time the Robins
were four goals up and the Port defence looked brittle and totally lacking
in confidence. Each Newtown attack promised a goal and that was more or
less what happened in the first quarter. It truly was a baptism of fire for
new keeper Joe Sager, who had been brought in from Mossley as a replacement
for the injured Richard Harvey. It took only four minutes for Mark Lloyd
Williams to put his old club behind when he latched on to Colin Loss's near
post pass and turned it past Sager.
Things were not about to get better and Port missing five of last season's
regulars were put to the sword. Though Carl Owen rose to head an Aled
Rowlands corner past the post after 9 minutes, it was the home side who
found themselves two up when in the 15th minute Kevin Scott took a quick
free kick from 25 yards out and with the Porthmadog defence still organising
themselves, struck the back of the net. With only three more minutes on the
clock Newtown got their third when Mark Lloyd Williams got his head to a ball
bouncing around the box following a Kevin Scott corner to put the ball inside
Sager's left hand post. Though Port looked good enough going forward and after
22 minutes Jason Sadler found room to shoot from 20 yards but wide of the
target, it was Newtown who again took advantage of some poor defending. Mark
Lloyd Williams this time turned supplier flicking a pass to the unmarked
Richard Cooke who fired low from 15 yards to score the fourth.
Surprisingly after such an onslaught Port continued to push forward and for
the remainder of the half enjoyed more than a fair share of the possession but
lacked that final pass to open up the home defence. Their best efforts were a
shot by Iwan Thomos -looking good in midfield- which brought a fine save from
Jones diving to his left and another from Carl Owen which required Jones to
save well at his right hand post.
Port supporters were dreading the second period but as it turned out their
team dominated the second forty five minutes retaining possession well and
passing the ball around creating Newtown a host of problems. Richard Smart
crossed a good low ball into the box after 67 minutes which needed a defensive
boot over the bar to clear. From Jason Sadler's subsequent corner Rhys Roberts
rose above the home defence to head past Jones for Port's first. The goal proved
to be more than a consolation for Port continued to threaten and Paul Roberts
and Carl Owen only just failed to register a final touch to Jason Sadler's
excellent low cross. A good move in the 78th minute brought Port's second. Aled
Rowlands's excellent low through pass took Jason Sadler behind the home defence
and he squared it for Paul Roberts to score from close range. Newtown's main
threat in the second half came on the counterattack mainly from Matthew Lewis
the right. One of Lewis's shots needed a good save from Sager. Sager was also
in action again to save from Craig Moses and in the 84th minute Marc Lloyd
Williams headed Lewis's cross against an upright.
Three league games and no points and with injuries piling these are difficult
times for Porthmadog. However on the plus side was a second half performance of
some quality which restored some pride on a torrid afternoon.
Porthmadog: Joe Sager, John G Jones (Iwan Williams 57'), Richard Smart, Rhys
Roberts, Barry Evans: Jason Sadler, Iwan Tomos, Danny Hughes, Aled Rowlands:
Paul Roberts Carl Owen (Dylan Jones 86') Sub not used: Rogan Chester.
Yellow: John G Jones 4'
Newtown David Jones: Craig Williams, Damien Daniels, Hugh Clarke, Kevin Scott,
Richard Cooke( Adam Warton 60'), Matthew Lewis, Glenn Tolley, Craig Moses, Marc
Lloyd Williams, Colin Loss.
Subs not used: Christian Courtney, Robert James.
Yellow: Craig Williams 74', Glenn Tolley 12'
Referee: Paul Thomas (Porth, Rhondda) Attendance: 260
Gareth Williams
Principality Building Society, Welsh Premier -Monday, August 27th
CPD Porthmadog ... 1 Caernarfon Town ... 3
Iwan Williams 88' Chris Noone 59'
Paul Roberts 79'(o.g.)
John Rowley 86'
Porthmadog, who have not enjoyed the best of starts to the season, found
everything conspiring against them in this derby game. Before the half-time
whistle had blown they found themselves with three key players injured and
on the sidelines and forced to use the unusual central midfield partnership
of Carl Owen and Paul Roberts. Mike Foster and player-manager Clayton
Blackmore had to withdraw with hamstring strains but the most serious injury
was that to skipper Ryan Davies who was driven away by ambulance with a
suspected broken ankle. Richard Harvey joined them with a leg injury after
the interval but as all substitutes had already been used the keeper, who
had pulled off a series of super saves, had to struggle on.
Though these injuries did not help the cause the well organised visitors
looked a far better outfit than the Canaries of recent seasons and fully
deserving their win. Though they looked too strong for the home side on the
day it took them until near the hour mark before scoring their first goal.
Addo was the early threat for Caernarfon and after 10 minutes took advantage
of a defensive slip to get in behind the defence. But though well placed he
fired across the face of goal. Addo moments later threatened with a snapshot
which was not far off the target. Port's best chance in the early stages
fell to Paul Roberts who found himself in space on the edge of the box but
fired over the bar. Caernarfon continued to look the more threatening using
the width of the pitch to stretch the home defence. With 34 minutes gone
Mark Thomas lifted the ball over the home defence and the nippy Addo was in
behind them but his lob went over the bar. Only a superb reaction save by
Richard Harvey two minutes before the interval denied Addo again, this time
from point blank range. With all the enforced changes of the opening half it
was some relief for Port to reach halfway still on level terms.
Port in fact had the first chance of the second period when Aled Rowlands
freed sub Dylan Jones who raced on into the box but then fired across the
face of the Caernarfon goal. But soon it was Harvey again in action this
time saving full length to his right from the inevitable Addo. With the hour
mark approaching James Thomas played the ball into the box from the left and
though Harvey made another excellent save Noone scrambled the ball into the
net at the far post to put Caernarfon deservedly in front. In the 79th
minute scored a second when Mark Thomas headed a long corner back across
goal and Paul Roberts's attempt to clear ended up in his own net. Four
minutes before the end Caernarfon countered quickly after a Port attack had
broken down and a slick exchange of passes resulted in an easy chance for
sub John Rowley who fired past the incapacitated Harvey. With the result
already decided Iwan Williams caught out a flat footed home defence to score
his first WPL goal sending Barry Evans's long cross looping over Whelan into
the Caernarfon net.
In view of all the injuries, with at least one of them looking serious,
Clayton Blackmore will need to sign some replacements quickly. Also missing
from this game was Danny Hughes who suffered whiplash injuries in a car
accident. Club officials can at least feel pleased about one thing -their
decision to switch the game to the Bank Holiday Monday resulted in a bumper
crowd.
Port: Richard Harvey, John G Jones, Richard Smart, Rhys Roberts, Mike Foster
(Barry Evans 20'): Clayton Blackmore (Iwan Williams 44'), Paul Roberts, Ryan
Davies (Dylan Jones 31'), Aled Rowlands: Carl Owen, Jason Sadler.
Yellow: Barry Evans 23', Jason Sadler 60'.
Caernarfon; Whelan, Bamber, Doran, Glendenning, Eifion Jones, Quinn, Ojapah
( Mark Harris 80'), Mark Thomas, Chris Noone (John Rowley 74') , Paul Addo
(Bobby Jones 63'), James Thomas.
Yellow: Lee Bamber 18', Mark Thomas 81'.
Referee: K.J. Parry Attendance: 413
Gareth Williams
Loosemores League Cup Group Match -Tuesday, August 21st
CPD Porthmadog ...1 Llangefni Town ...2
Ryan Davies 17' Ywain Gwynedd 52' 62'
For the second time in four days Porthmadog welcomed a newly promoted side
to the Traeth and once again it was the visitors who went away with the
spoils. Former Porthmadog player Ywain Gwynedd came back to haunt his old
club scoring twice in the space of 10 minutes, during the second half, to
give Llangefni the three points. His first goal arrived only two minutes
after coming on as substitute. Llangefni held on to this lead under intense
pressure during the final quarter when the home side created enough chances
to have sealed a victory for themselves.
Both sides from the start signalled that this was to be an attacking game
and there were early chances at both ends. After only 4 minutes Llangefni's
Chris Jones, from distance, was not far off target. Then Jason Sadler for
Port tested keeper Williams with a swerving shot from 15 yards. Soon after a
weak back header by Rhys Roberts was latched on to by Kevin Lloyd, for the
visitors, and Richard Harvey did well diving low at his right hand post. But
in the 17th minute came the first goal. Carl Owen's long cross found Ryan
Davies and the Port skipper cut into the box driving low past Williams.
Three minutes later the home side could have increased their lead when Carl
Owen, who was in outstanding form, got behind the Llangefni defence but
Williams managed to touch his goal bound shot on to the cross bar. Both
goals led charmed lives at times as Kevin Lloyd for Llangefni struck the
cross bar with one effort and was close with several other long range
efforts while Paul Roberts and Richard Smart came close for Port. It was
surprising that half-time arrived with only the one goal scored.
The second period started in the same vein as the first with Carl Owen and
then Ryan Davies coming close for Porthmadog. Ywain Gwynedd was introduced
by the visitors in the 50th minute and two minutes later was in the right
place to receive Danny Roberts's low cross and lash it past Richard Harvey
from 15 yards to level the scores. 10 minutes later and Llangefni were
ahead. Richard Harvey under intense pressure dropped a high ball and Ywain
Gwynedd could hardly conceal his delight as he was on hand to pick up the
pieces and score a second against his old club. From then on to the end it
was one way traffic as Porthmadog piled on the pressure to get back on level
terms. First Ryan Davies shot over the bar and on 75 minutes there was an
almighty scramble on the Llangefni goal line but eventually the ball was
squirted away. Carl Owen turned well in the box but his shot went narrowly
wide and the same player brought a good save from keeper Williams who
managed to push the ball on to the upright. Chances came thick and fast Paul
Roberts had a clear heading chance and another shooting chance but the
usually reliable goal scorer failed to hit the target. The visitors were
relieved to hear the final whistle which signalled that their League Cup
campaign was off to a good start.
A second defeat for Port but the big difference when compared with
Saturday's disappointing performance was that this time plenty of chances
were created and in the last quarter Port could and probably should won the
game.
Porthmadog: Richard Harvey: John G Jones (Clayton Blackmore 72') Richard
Smart, Rhys Roberts, Mike Foster: Danny Hughes, Ryan Davies (Paul Lewis
72'), Paul Roberts, Aled Rowlands: Jason Sadler, Carl Owen.
Sub not used: Dylan Jones.
Llangefni: Simon Williams, Mitchell, Caerwyn Roberts, Mark Jones, Mike
Parry, Adrian Jones, Danny G Roberts, Chris Evans (Ywain Gwynedd 50'), Kevin
Lloyd (Richard Hughes 50') , Chris Jones, Austin.
Sub not used: Lee Dixon. Yellow; Chris Jones.
Attendance 231 Referee: AP Harris.
Gareth Williams
Principality Building Society Welsh Premier - Saturday, August 18th
CPD Porthmadog ...0 Neath Athletic ...2
Andy Hill 22', 50'
Newly promoted Neath Athletic got off to the best possible start in the WPL.
A goal in each half gave them the victory in a game which they controlled
for most of the 90 minutes. Clayton Blackmore will be very disappointed in
his first game in charge that lack of discipline and basic errors
contributed to the Port defeat.
After early Porthmadog possession it was Neath who produced the first shot
on goal when Cronin fired wide following a Jenkins corner and again after 13
minutes Port had to scramble the ball away after good work on the left by
Price. A good move down the right, after 22 minutes, produced the opener
when last season's prolific scorer, Andy Hill, converted French's clever
ball into the box. It took 33 minutes before the visitors' keeper had
anything to do -cutting out Danny Hughes's long cross. But it was Neath who
continued to look the more threatening and Hill fired over the bar following
good work by Pridham. The visitors were pleased to go in at half time a goal
to the good and surprised that they had found themselves under such little
pressure in their first WPL game.
Clayton Blackmore's take on events in the opening period became immediately
clear as he introduced himself and John Gwynfor for the second half. But
then two incidents within a minute of each other five minutes after the
restart scuppered the potential influence of the manager's changes. In the
50th minute with no apparent pressure on him Ryan Davies completely
miskicked in the box and Andy Hill was presented with the simplest of
chances to score his second. Things were about to get worse however for a
minute later and Carl Jones received his marching orders -a straight red-
for a reckless tackle on Billy Timothy. Port continued their kamikaze
defending for a poor back pass failed to reach Richard Harvey and Ryan
Davies was left to scramble the ball off the goal line. Porthmadog, though
they now enjoyed more possession, apart from some good work by Aled Rowlands
down the left and a couple of Jason Sadler runs behind the defence, did not
really look like scoring. In fact they did not create a real chance until
the 87th minute when defender Ryan Davies rose well to meet Mike Foster's
cross but was unlucky to see his header go narrowly the wrong side of the
post. Neath on the counter attack could have added to their score when sub
Carl Shaw burst through but Harvey got a touch to divert the shot for a
corner.
A mixture of frustration together with the match official's inconsistency
led to a number of yellow cards being handed out in addition to the straight
red. This, however, will not be Blackmore's main concern however as Port
take on Llangefni in the League Cup on Tuesday when they will need to raise
their game considerably if they are to achieve a satisfactory result.
Port; Richard Harvey: Danny Hughes, Ryan Davies, Rhys Roberts, Mike Foster:
Marcus Orlik (Clayton Blackmore 46'), Richard Smart (John G Jones 46'), Aled
Rowlands, Carl Jones: Paul Roberts, Jason Sadler (Carl Owen 75')
Subs not used: Rogan Chester (y), Guto Davies (y) Cards Red: Carl Jones 51'
Yellow: Richard Smart 42', Jason Sadler 70',Ryan Davies 83', Paul Roberts 89'.
Neath: Morris, Timothy (Dale Evans 57'), J.Jenkins, Bevan, Cronin, D'Auria,
Pocket, Pridham (Shaw 65'), French (Carl Jenkins 75'), Hill, Price.
Cards Yellow: Pridham 23', Cronin 73' Hill 75'
Referee: Darren Aidie. Attendance: 186
Gareth Williams
