Chaplin proves true worth as Port earn a well-deserved draw

NEFYN United remain unbeaten and continue to lead the Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd League after Monday’s 5-2 win over Talysarn Celts.

Danny Roberts (3, 2 pens), Gwion Roberts and an own goal sealed it for the Penwaig, Iolo Huws and Tomos Usher replying.

Bontnewydd pipped Menai Bridge Tigers 4-3, Gareth Edwards (2), Rhys Roberts and Aled Steele sharing the goals.

Llanystumdwy triumphed 6-0 at Llanllyfni, Sion Parry (2), Sion Guto (2), Kyle Williams and Tom Williams doing the damage.

Meurig Parry and Adam Jones earned Waunfawr a 2-2 result at Llangoed.

Last Saturday, Sion Parry nabbed four goals and Rhys Hughes three in Llanystumdwy’s 7-3 away hammering of Beaumaris Town.

Gari Owen (2) and Aled Steele clinched Bontnewydd a 3-1 success at Gwalchmai, while Llanllyfni went down 6-3 to Llangoed. Iwan Evans (2) and Jason Taylor on the mark.

Steve Jones and Danny Roberts sealed Nefyn United a 2-0 victory at Menai Bridge Tigers, while Talysarn were battered 8-1 by Bro Goronwy.

Waunfawr lost 5-2 to Holyhead Town, Sion Roberts (2).

In Welsh Alliance Division One, Llanberis held Llanrwst United 2-2, Jason Jones and Jonathan Cyster for the Darans. Alan Mark Owen notched the only goal as Llanrug edged a 1-0 at Llandyrnog, while Pwllheli crashed 8-0 at Llangefni.

Penrhyndeudraeth lost 3-2 to Greenfield, Mathew Hughes and Huw Quaeck for the hosts, while Tim Cavanagh and Rhys Williams (2) booked Nantlle Vale a 3-0 decision at Trearddur Bay United.

In Division Two, it finished 5-1 for Amlwch Town over Blaenau Amateurs, Tom Wood (2), Luke McGivern, Ryan Folksman and Jordan Griffiths for the hosts, Kieran Ellis for the Quarrymen.

Dan Hughes (2) and Gruff John enabled Y Felinheli to collect a 3-2 victory against Meliden.

Tomos Saynor, Tomos Collins and Josh Hughes scored two apiece in Llanberis’ 6-3 verdict at Llanrug United, in the Reserves Division. Sion Eifion Jones (2) and Sion Evans striking back for the hosts.

JOE CHAPLIN maintained his excellent early-season form for Porthmadog by making it four goals in three games in last weekend’s 1-1 home draw with Rhyl in the Huws Gray Alliance.

Chaplin has scored in every game for the Traeth men since his summer move and Craig Papirnyk’s side looked a much stronger outfit up front with him in the ranks.

Last weekend’s tussle with Rhyl was an end to end game over the 90 minutes with both teams enjoying their periods of pressure but overall, though each passed the ball around well, there were not too many clearcut chances.

Rhyl probably just about edged the first half, going in a goal up at the interval thanks to a Tony Davies header, while Port came back strongly in the second period with Chaplin taking his chance really well and giving a strong all round performance throughout.

There were early efforts from both sides with Rhyl first to threaten when Mark Connolly got on the end of a Danny Holland cross but directed his far post header wide.

Port responded with Julian Williams crossing to the near post for haplin but his shot in a crowded box was blocked.

Chaplin was a real threat for Port and he got on the end of a Sion Bradley cross but his shot was deflected for a corner.

Following a lively start the game settled into a quieter period with neither side able to gain the upper hand. More than half an hour had elapsed before Rhyl produced a further threat. Tom Hartley’s angled shot was hit with power and Tyler French saved well at the expense of a corner.

The corner was only partially cleared back as far as Hartley who lifted a good cross to the back post where Davies rose highest and his neader found the net from close range.

Port responded with Chaplin again providing danger but his shot took a deflection over the bar.

Just before the interval Rhyl looked to go further ahead.

Connolly, on the counterattack, turned Steve Bratt and raced on with only the keeper to beat but the determined Bratt raced back and pulled off a great tackle just as the trigger was being pulled.

Rhyl forced a couple of early second half corners but Port defended well and on 54 minutes it was home side who drew level.

Following a Tom Rowlands corner for the Lilywhites, the ball was quickly cleared as far as Ifan Emlyn, who slipped a fine through ball for Chaplin.

The ex-Llandudno and Conwy Borough front-man, playing on the shoulder of his marker, beat the offside trap to race on goalwards.

He still had work left to do, held off two defenders and placed a low leftfoot shot just inside the far post. The scores were level and a minute later there was almost a repeat, with Gareth Jones Evans this time putting Chaplin through again, but keeper Rory Crowther got out well to collect an attempted lob.

Though both sides had periods of pressure there were not many goal threats until sub Jack Hoult for Rhyl got in behind the Port defence but, with only the keeper to beat, shot wide of the post from 15 yards.

Towards the end there were efforts at both ends.

Davies fired on the turn but over the bar and Rowlands shot hard and low forcing French to concede a corner.

The excellent Chaplin, in the thick of the action as he had been all game, threatened again for Port twice, pulling balls back across the edge of the area first for Ifan Emlyn whose shot went narrowly the wrong side of the post and then for Ceri James who lifted his effort over the bar.

With time running out Hartley produced a last-ditch tackle as Meilir Wiliams closed in on goal.

An enjoyable afternoon in an even contest and a share of the points was a fair result.

Port can draw comfort from their performance after the disappointment of the injury time defeat last Wednesday. If these games prove anything it is that Papirnyk is building a squad that can be competitive in this league just as Niall McGuinness is doing at Rhyl.

The signs were there that these two clubs will be competing at the top end of the HGA as the season progresses.

Porthmadog: Tyler French, Rob Evans, Leon Doran (Iddon Price 46), Steve Bratt, Josh Banks, Ceri James, Ifan Emlyn, Cai Jones (Gareth Jones Evans 46), Sion Bradley (Meilir Williams 81), Joe Chaplin, Julian Williams. Unused subs: Richard Harvey (gk), Jake Jones, Iwan Lane.