Craig’s men are bound for Rhyl after Flint draw

PORTHMADOG will look to return to winning ways when they welcome Rhyl to Y Traeth for a much-anticipated Huws Gray Alliance tussle this Saturday (2.30pm).

Following three straight wins to start the season – including a stunning 2-1 success at Bangor City last Tuesday – Craig Papirnyk’s side were held 1-1 at fellow unbeaten outfit Flint Town United at the weekend.

The Silkmen took a sixth minute lead when long throw specialist Jack Lewis hurled one into the box from the right touchline, the ball took a couple of bounces, no-one from either side was able to deal with it and on it went into the net with the referee and linesman deciding it had taken a touch off a Port player on its way in.

This lifted Flint and, on 17 minutes, it took a brilliant save from Paul Pritchard to keep out a Richie Foulkes header.

Midway through the half, Port seemed to regain some of their composure, winning a couple of corners, with both Julian Williams and Sion Edwards getting their heads on them without hitting the target. Joe Chaplin then blasted over the bar when well placed.

Jay Gibbs followed with a well-struck free kick from 25 yards which went close before the equaliser came on 41 minutes.

Iwan Lewis found Edwards, who finished with a superb volley just inside the far post.

Flint keeper Josh Hart had picked up a bad injury towards the end of the opening half and did not reappear after the interval. His place was taken by Andy Brown and Jake Hampson also became an interval replacement for the home side.

The pattern of the second half soon became clear with Flint defending their rookie keeper in numbers and inviting Port to break them down.

The nearest they came to do doing this was in the 58th minute when Gruff John Williams broke free on the right of the box only to see his shot thump the post.

Josh Banks and Warren Duckett had late efforts on goal for the visitors, but there was to be no winner.