Porthmadog set for David v Goliath clash in national knockout
PORTHMADOG have attracted a little bit of romance in the next round of the Welsh Cup.
The Huws Gray Alliance side have been drawn at home to North East Wales League minnows Penyffordd in the first round proper on October 7.
Penyffordd, who have eliminated Cefn Albion and Rhosllannerchrugog, both by 3-2, in the competition so far, are as a tier-five outfit one of the lowest-ranked clubs left in the competition.
Port are in league action at home to Denbigh Town this Saturday and will be looking to build on last weekend’s excellent 5-2 triumph at Caersws.
Joe Chaplin banged in his first hat-trick for the Traeth men to make it seven goals in six competitive games since joining from Llandudno this summer.
Three goals in six minutes in the opening quarter of the game put Port in the driving seat at the Recreation Ground.
Port struck after 15 minutes when Ceri James took advantage of the home team’s high defensive line, to slip a trademark through ball for Cai Jones to run on to and race on 30 yards into the box, drawing the keeper and rolling a low shot into the net.
Two minutes later debutant Tom Taylor provided the through pass for Chaplin to race on to and charge forward into the box on the right, beating keeper Luke Evans at his near post with a blast from 15 yards.
Four minutes on and Chaplin was on the scoresheet again, this time capitalising on good work by Sion Bradley down the left, meeting the cross with an acrobatic diving header at the back post.
With time running out in the opening half , Chaplin completed a hat-trick, fastening on to another James assist, this time a neat chip over the defence for the striker to run on to and score from close range.
The scoreline not surprisingly took a little of the edge off Port’s second half performance though they continued to dominate possession, passing the ball around well and still creating further chances.
Five minutes into the second period Josh Banks put Cai Jones through one on one with advancing keeper Evans, who pullled off a good block.
Port stopper Richard Harvey then did well to keep out a Lance Jones effort.
A further three goals were scored in the last five minutes.
Caersws sub, Phil Jones, scored a couple of late consolations for the home team before the Traeth outfit fittingly had the last word.
Bradley broke quickly into the Caersws half and a fine angled ball put Meilir Williams in on goal to score with a low shot from 15 yards.
A great result lifted Craig Papirnyk’s men up to second in the Huws Gray Alliance.
Porthmadog: Harvey, Price, Banks, D Roberts, Taylor (Jake Jones 78), Rob Evans, James, Gareth Jones Evans (Ifan Emlyn 64), Bradley, Chaplin (Meilir Williams 73), C Jones. Subs: French, Papirnyk. ● As well as hosting Denbigh this Saturday, Port have a midweek game four days later when they travel to Holyhead Hotspur on Wednesday, September 20.