Port favourites to reach last 16 of Welsh Cup
PORTHMADOG will target a place in the last 16 of the Welsh Cup when they welcome Panteg to Y Traeth this Saturday (2.30pm).
The visitors compete in Welsh League Three, so the Huws Gray Alliance hosts will again start favourites as they did in the previous round, when they routed now sadly defunct FC Penley 10-0.
Port tuned up for their cup encounter with a 2-2 draw at Ruthin Town last Saturday.
The opening half-hour saw chances at both ends but no goals - then three arrived in as many minutes.
On 33 minutes Port went ahead when Sion Bradley’s well-placed free kick into the box was converted by Julian Williams from close range.
Just a minute later, Town’s Llyr Morris burst into the box on the left, only to be brought down by Port skipper Rob Evans. Referee Dafydd Rhys Owen pointed to the spot and Morris drove a low shot wide of Richard Harvey’s left hand.
Soon after Port won a corner, Joe Chaplin met another Bradley delivery only to see his header rattle the crossbar.
The ball was then cleared, but only as far as Ceri James 25 yards out. James looked up and struck a beauty into the top corner of the net.
Then came what looked like a decisive moment in the game.
Chaplin raced behind the home defence, tapping the ball past keeper Ryan Goldston, who had advanced 25 yards out of his goal.
As Chaplin chased on he was brought down by the keeper. The referee dismissed Goldston, who was then replaced by sub keeper Dylan Jones, with Garmon Hafal also leaving to allow this switch to take place.
The new keeper was soon in action, saving a Williams free kick at full stretch. Port were 2-1 up at half-time.
Despite being down to 10 men, Ruthin refused to fold in the second half.
Stand-in Jones not only brilliantly pushed a Williams free kick onto the bar, he also saved a Bradley penalty.
Ruthin went on to dominate the final quarter and Port’s goal led a charmed life, keeper Harvey standing out.
In the 90th minute Ruthin won a free kick, Ilan Hughes drilled across the face of goal and Morris popped up at the back post for a dramatic leveller.