Principality Building Society Welsh Premier -Saturday December 6th

CPD Porthmadog ...1		Neath Athletic ... 4
Chris Jones 37'		Dion Chambers 34', 44'
			Kerry Morgan 72'
			Richard Ingram 88'.

Neath previously without a win on the road secured a deserved three points
over inconsistent Porthmadog. An unbeaten run of four matches for the home
side has been followed by two consecutive defeats with four goals being
conceded on both occasions contributing to a goals against column of 41
goals. It does not take a genius to work out where the problem lies as once
again some very sloppy play at the back largely contributed to the defeat.
The visitors grew in confidence as a result, and by the end looked the
stronger side adding two goals in the last 18 minutes to the two scored in
the opening half. 

Port started without, Steve Kehoe and Rhys Roberts, two of the key figures
in their improved performances in November and their woes were soon
increased when after only eight minutes the influential Eifion Jones had a
recurrence of the hamstring problem that saw him leave the field last week.
This meant a reshuffle of their line-up and very early on Ingram and Pridham
were not far off target as the home defence struggled to clear their lines.
Gradually however Port started to get into the game and had an opportunity
from a free kick on the edge of the box after Marc Lloyd Williams had been
bundled to the ground. Mike Foster's ensuing free kick was deflected for a
corner. Soon after Chris Jones tested the keeper with a lob from out on the
right and the same player took advantage of Carl Jones's cross to the far
post but keeper Wyn Walters was down well to save with his legs. Then
against the run of play the visitors went ahead. The home side put
themselves under pressure when Ryan Davies failed to clear, and following a
period of pin ball in the box Dion Chambers free on the left drilled a low
shot past Dave Vickers on his near post. The lead did not last long as
Port's best player Chris Jones met Carl Jones's inswinging corner with a
glancing header to beat Walters' outstretched arms. Port deserved to be back
on terms but once again a mistake at the back allowed Rees to play the ball
into the box and giving Chambers the opportunity to strike his second of the
afternoon and send Neath in 2-1 ahead at the interval.

Despite having plenty of possession especially in the 20 minutes after the
interval Port failed to create any worthwhile chances and the nearest they
came to achieving anything was when Marc Lloyd Williams put Rowley through
into the box and though the striker went sprawling down in the box referee
Lo Faro turned down the home appeals. With their defence remaining firm the
visitors had the smell of that first away win in their nostrils. Gradually
they built their attacks and kept possession well. The introduction of the
speedy Kerry Morgan to the attack gave the Port defence an added problem and
after 72 minutes he got in behind them and raced on into the box. His low
angled shot struck the far post and crossed the line. With the home defence
becoming increasingly stretched as they struggled to get back into the game
there were more chances for the visitors. Kerry Morgan rounded Ryan Davies
but sent his shot narrowly wide. Six minutes from time Chambers could have
completed his hat trick but his 15 yarder struck the upright. Just before
the end Chambers turned supplier when he took advantage of a good build up
to cross to the far post and Ingram met it with a clean header which gave
Vickers no chance.

This defeat means that Neath and Cefn are now only five points adrift of
Port and they also drop to 12th spot following Welshpool's victory.

Porthmadog (4-4-2) Dave Vickers, Mark Thomas (Marcus Orlik 75'), Eifion
Jones (Jon Peris Jones 8'), Ryan Davies, Mike Foster: Chris Jones, Gareth
Parry, Richie Owen, Carl Jones (Mark Bridge 75'): Marc Lloyd Williams, John
Rowley. Sub not used: Ben Ogilvy.

Neath:Walters, Burrows, Jack Jenkins, Cronin, Folland, Ingram, Chambers,
Pridham, Matthew Rees (Kerry Morgan 65') Jarrod Price (Gavin Jones 87'),
Dale Evans.  Sub not used: Daniel Lancey. Yellow: Matthew Rees 57'.

Referee: Carmelo Lo Faro (Wrexham)		Attendance: 188

Gareth Williams.		   

Principality Building Society Welsh Premier	-Saturday, November 29th.

Haverfordwest County ... 4	CPD Porthmadog ...2
Nicky Woodrow (pen) 17'		Gareth Parry 45' 76'
Jack Christopher 57'
Ryan Davies (og) 64'
Luke Bowen 83'

Porthmadog's four match unbeaten run came to an end in disappointing fashion
in a game where they created the better chances. But once more it was the
case of too many errors costing them the game. Conceding an early penalty
from which they recovered to level the scores at the interval but then in
the space of seven minutes in the second half a breakaway goal and an own
goal virtually sealed their fate.

Port were quickly into their stride with Rhys Roberts and Chris Jones
combining just outside the home box to create a shooting chance for Rhys
Roberts but his right footed shot went straight at the keeper. On 21 minutes
Idzi, in the home goal, had to be at his best when Chris Jones latched on to
Marc Lloyd Williams' downward header with the keeper needing a second bite
to keep out his well struck low shot. Shortly after Marc Lloyd Williams was
the provider again, crossing from the left, with Gareth Parry, who had come
on for the injured Eifion Jones, bursting in at the far post but his
desperate effort flew over the angle. Mike Hartley who had threatened down
the left for the home side managed his first real shot on goal but Vickers
diving to his left saved well. Port continued to create the better chances
and a good turn and shot from Marc Lloyd Williams needed a smart save again
by Idzi this time turning the shot round his near post. Then with half time
near Carl Jones's cross was touched on by Chris Jones for Gareth Parry,
bursting in from the left, to curl his shot inside Idzi's far post for a
deserved equaliser. There was still time for a Jiws header just outside the
post and for Ryan Davies to chase back when Vickers's clearance was charged
down.

After good control and a shot which drifted just outside the upright by
Chris Jones early on it was Haverfordwest who came into the game. They got
the ball into the net in the 52nd minute but the goal was ruled out for
pushing. The picture was then totally changed between the 57th minute and
the 64th minute, for in that time Port had gone 3-1 behind. First there was
a quick break following a Port corner with former Port midfielder, Neil
Thomas, crossing from the right and finding leading scorer Jack Christopher
unmarked at the back post and the striker was able to pick his spot heading
past Vickers. Then with Ryan Davies appearing to have Mike Hartley's right
wing cross well covered the defender tried to head the ball back to his
keeper but managed instead to put it inside the left hand post. Heads went
down and Haverfordwest could have added more goals as Woodrow came close on
two occasions with powerful strikes from the edge of the box. Port, however,
raised their game again and a deep cross from Mike Foster created a heading
chance for Marc Lloyd Williams but the striker was narrowly off target.
Foster again struck a deep cross after 76 minutes and this time Gareth
Parry's excellent looping header beat Idzi at his right hand post. But as
Port pushed forward in search of the equaliser the home side struck again.
It was another former Port player who was the supplier. With Port now down
to 10 men, Carl Jones having limped off, Dyfan Pierce went past two
defenders down the left and squared the ball for Luke Bowen to fire low
beyond Vickers' right hand. Port kept going to the end and could have
managed a third when Rhys Roberts put Marc Lloyd Williams through but Idzi
was out quickly to block. 

A disappointing result in the end despite some good play and this adds extra
importance to the visit of Neath next Saturday, to reignite the push up the
table.

Haverfordwest: Idzi, Terry Evans, Hanford, Jarman, Gilderdale, Michael
(Dyfan Pierce 61'), Hartley, Blain, Woodrow (Luke Bowen 71'), Christopher
(Luke Robinson 87'), Neil Thomas.
Sub not used: Gareth Elliott. Yellow: Paul Michael 60'

Porthmadog (4-4-2) Dave Vickers, Mark Thomas (Jon Peris Jones 61'), Eifion
Jones (Gareth Parry 15'), Ryan Davies, Mike Foster: Richie Owen (John Rowley
61'), Steve Kehoe, Rhys Roberts, Carl Jones: Chris Jones, Marc Lloyd
Williams. 
Sub not used: Mark Bridge (y) Yellow: Ryan Davies 17', Mark Thomas 47', Carl
Jones 71'.

Referee: Kevin Morgan.		Attendance: 171 

Principality Building Society Welsh Premier	-Saturday, November 22nd.

Port Talbot Town ... 1		CPD Porthmadog ... 3
Martin Rose 29'			Marc Lloyd Williams 10'
					Steve Kehoe 32' 60'

"A good three points from a good all round team performance -though we 
can still play better" was manager Paul Whelan's verdict on his team's 
excellent away win at the GenQuip Stadium. He added "There were three 
good goals and the two by Steve Kehoe were real crackers." 

Porthmadog got off to the best possible start with John Rowley having a shot
blocked and Chris Jones shooting just wide in the first five minutes. But
there was not long to wait before Marc Lloyd Williams opened the scoring for
the visitors. His tenth minute goal was his 11th in the league this season.
Rhys Roberts's header fell to Jiws on the left of the Port Talbot box and he
struck the ball cleanly across Kristian Rogers into the far corner of the
net from 15 yards. Porthmadog continued to dominate the early play but
gradually after the 20 minute mark the home side started to put some good
moves together with Burgin and Lee John threatening down the flanks. They
forced a series of corners which the Porthmadog defence dealt with
competently but on one occasion Dave Vickers had to go down at Matthew
Thompson's feet to save and Mark Thomas made a good block at the near post.
Port Talbot's leading scorer, Martin Rose, lifted a 20 yard shot over the
bar but two minutes later made amends when he got his head to an excellent
James Burgin cross from the left and beat Vickers from 6 yards. But the
scores remained level for only three minutes when Rhys Roberts played the
ball in from the left to Steve Kehoe, in space, 30 yards out. The midfielder
unleashed a supershot which thundered into the roof of the net giving Rogers
no chance at all. There were no additions to the score before half time
though Rogers had to pluck a Carl Jones free kick from under his cross bar
and Matthew Thompson, for Port Talbot, turned Burgin's cross wide of the
post.

The home side brought reliable defender Matthew Rees on for the second half
and this to an extent stabilised things at the back for them. They pushed
forward in search of the equaliser and when the dangerous Martin Rose
crossed to the far post, after 52 minutes, James Burgin's header was off
target. Rose again threatened after 59 minutes bursting into the box only to
be denied by the alert Vickers who was promptly out to take the ball off the
striker's foot. A minute later and Steve Kehoe had doubled the Porthmadog
lead. Once again it was the excellent midfield combination of Rhys Roberts
and Steve Kehoe. Kehoe moved on to his partner's pass to fire low wide of
Rogers' outstretched left hand to score -this time from a mere 25 yards.
Rose however continued to threaten and twice more Dave Vickers had to race
from his line to deny the striker. First after 67 minutes he turned a close
range shot round the post and in the 73rd minute with Rose clear he dived
low to push the ball away. Port had their moments again late on. Carl Jones
tricked his way past three defenders before cutting in from the left but
Rogers saved well at his near post. Marc Lloyd Williams fired wide from the
edge of the box and in injury time the same player crossed from the left to
give Steve Kehoe a hat trick opportunity but this time the game's
outstanding player could only turn the ball past the post.

This was a good win against an experienced and talented Port Talbot team.
Port were strong at the back and playing through their excellent central
midfield combination fully deserved to take the three points which means
they have taken 10 points from the last 4 games. An unfortunate by-product
of this result is the Port Talbot manager Nicky Tucker has lost his job. 

Port Talbot: Rogers, De-Vulgt, Darren Davies (Barrow 71'), Scott Evans,
David Biggs (Matthew Rees 46'), Lee Surman, Lee John, Thompson, Rose, Fahiya
(McCreesh 59'), Burgin.
Yellow: James Burgin 42', Matthew Rees 86' 

Porthmadog (4-4-2): Dave Vickers, Mark Thomas, Eifion Jones, Ryan Davies,
Mike Foster: Chris Jones, Steve Kehoe, Rhys Roberts, Carl Jones: John
Rowley, Marc Lloyd Williams
Subs not used: Jon Peris Jones, Ben Ogilvy, Mark Bridge.
Yellow: Mike Foster 35', Rhys Roberts 90' 

Referee: Simon Jones.		Attendance: 146

Gareth Williams  

Welsh Premier League   - Saturday, November 15th

CPD Porthmadog ... 3		Llanelli ... 3
Rhys Roberts 10'		Rhys Griffiths 4', 91'
Marc Lloyd Williams 18', 40'	Jordan Follows 25'

Every Port supporter left the Traeth today with mixed feelings. Had anyone
said before kick-off that we’d share the points with the reigning champions,
we’d have been more than happy with that. But after a game where we more
than matched Llanelli and held the lead until injury time, this game must go
down as 2 points dropped. And that’s just half the story…

No-one could have predicted the drama to come when, after only 4 minutes,
Rhys Griffiths gave Llanelli the lead. The unfortunate thing is that
Griffiths didn’t have to work hard for his goal - as has frequently been the
case this season, sloppy defending gifted the league’s top scorer the goal.
This time it was Ryan Davies who missed his kick leaving the un-marked
Griffiths an easy task to beat Harvey from 5 yards.

Now for the positive! The early set-back bought Port to life – a minute
later visiting keeper Craig Morris was forced to make a smart save at his
left post after Chris Jones had touched on Mark Thomas’ dangerous cross. Then
on 10 minutes, Port drew level. A ball from midfield found Rhys Roberts
unmarked on the edge of the box and the defender-turned-midfielder showed
cool finishing to slot the ball past the keeper. With Port in the
ascendency, Roberts could have made it two a couple of minutes later – Steve
Keyhoe this time supplying the cross for Roberts, who did well to beat his
man but was unfortunate to see his shot come back off the post.

Rhys Roberts was now involved in most promising Port moves. After 18 minutes
a Mike Foster free kick found the head of Roberts on the edge of the box.
His header looked as if it was the keeper’s to claim, but in sneaked Marc
Lloyd Williams to beat him to the ball and, to the delight of the home
supporters, his shot found the back of the net. The 2-1 lead by no means
flattered Port who looked a far more dangerous team than Llanelli at this
point.

It was now end-to-end stuff, with both defences looking nervous - Craig
Jones for Llanelli seeing his long range effort fly past the post after 21
minutes. Four minutes later and Llanelli were back on terms. Once again,
questions will be asked of the defensive marking – one of the shortest
players on the field Jordan Follows was left unmarked to head home past
Harvey.

Once again Port heads didn’t go down after the goal. Within two minutes
Richie Owen saw his long range effort whistle just over the bar and on the
half-hour mark Mike Foster forced a save from Morris with another long range
shot. With the half nearing the end, Llanelli began to dominate possession,
but failed to create a clear-cut chance. And it was the home side who
capitalised on Llanelli’s shyness in front of goal. Once again it was Lloyd
Williams who supplied the headed finish after persistent work and a great
ball in from the left by the excellent Chris Jones.

The second half started with more intense pressure from Llanelli but Port
rode their luck despite two goal-mouth scrambles. Having weathered the early
storm, the homes side struck back with two good goal scoring opportunities.
On 52 minutes, Rhys Roberts’s header from a Mark Thomas free-kick went just
wide of the upright, and two minutes later Marc Lloyd Williams headed
powerfully but straight at the keeper. With the upper-hand constantly
switching from one side to the other, Llanelli responded with a few good
chances of their own – Mark Pritchard’s header not really troubling Richard
Harvey, while Rhys Griffiths had a long-ranger also comfortably saved by
Harvey. Rhys Roberts, who had excelled in midfield was also influential in
defence – his great block tackle prevented a shooting opportunity for Andrew
Mumford.

With just quarter of an hour left, the result remained in the balance. Then
came the moment that could have settled the game for Port. A great pass from
Richie Owen found Mark Thomas in the Llanelli box and when his shot was
handled by a defender, referee Darren Adie didn’t hesitate before awarding a
penalty. Lloyd Williams, who has been so assured in front of goal all
season, stepped up to take the spot kick, but to the dismay of the home
fans, he scuffed his kick to the right of the goal.

The miss set up a grandstand finish - in the last ten minutes Llanelli put
Richard Harvey’s goal under sustained pressure. Ryan Davies had to clear the
ball off the line with five minutes on the watch and there then followed a series
of corners and Andy Legg long throws. With the ninety minutes up, and when it
looked as if Port might just hold out, Rhys Griffiths came to the champions’
rescue. Another Andy Legg throw on 91 minutes caused havoc in the Port
defence and Griffiths toe-poked the equaliser past Harvey. Eight minutes of
injury-time meant there were more nervous moments for both sets of supporters,
but eventually Mr Adie remembered where he kept his whistle and time was up
on an entertaining afternoon!

PORTHMADOG: Richard Harvey, Mike Foster, Mark Thomas, Eifion Jones, Ryan Davies
Rhys Roberts, Richie Owen, Steve Keyhoe, Chris Jones, Carl Jones (Ben Ogilvey 87'),
Marc Lloyd Williams

LLANELLI: Craig Morris, Lee Phillips (Garry Lloyd 86'), Andy Legg, Andrew Mumford,
Stuart Jones, Wyn Thomas, Craig Jones (Jason Bowen 59'), Matthew Jones
(Nick Holland 76'), Rhys Griffiths, Jordan Follows, Mark Pritchard

Referee: Darren Adie (Caldicot)			Attendance: 204


Emyr Gareth