Port looking sharp for ‘old foes’ face-off

PORTHMADOG will look to build on last weekend’s 2-0 victory at Penrhyncoch when Craig Papirnyk’s men welcome old foes Prestatyn Town to the Traeth on Saturday (2.30pm).

Getting three points on the board from your first game of the season is always a boost, but to do it at a tricky venue like Cae Baker will have delighted manager Papirnyk no end.

Port started the match as if they meant business with the first action being a Jay Gibbs free kick after four minutes that just passed the post.

On 14 minutes the busy midfielder Ifan Emlyn saw a 35-yarder not miss by much.

Gruff John Williams, back and in fine form after an injury-ravaged season last time out, hit the post and then, from a Sion Edwards corner, headed just off target.

Despite the pressure and goalkeeper Paul Pritchard being an interested spectator for most of the half, it was on 30 minutes that the breakthrough came and, ironically, it arrived courtesy of an own goal.

Edwards’ flag kick resulted in the unfortunate Sion James turning the ball into his own net.

Within three minutes it was 2-0 when Julian Williams headed a pinpoint Ceri James centre into the back of the net.

Another Julian Williams effort was tipped over the bar and a Josh Banks header struck an upright before the break.

The visitors started the second half very much with the same urgency as they had first.

From a 20 yard free kick, Gibbs managed to scrape the Roosters’ bar.

On 64 minutes a fine one-two between Iwan Lewis and Joe Chaplin resulted in the latter’s attempt going just wide.

With 20 minutes left Port seemed to lose momentum and Penrhyncoch created some useful opportunities for the first time in the match.

Pritchard was called upon to make three very important stops, one an amazing diving save that prevented a certain goal.

Porthmadog: Paul Pritchard, Gruff John Williams, Josh Banks, Ceri James, Jay Gibbs, Ifan Emlyn (Dan Dascalu 80), Iwan Lewis, Iddon Price (c), Joe Chaplin (Shaun Cavanagh 65), Julian Williams, Sion Edwards (Rob Evans 70). Sub not used: Ryan Taylor.