Port seeking revenge:
PORTHMADOG will target quick revenge this Saturday when they host Buckley Town in the Huws Gray Cup at Y Traeth, reports Gareth Williams.
Last weekend saw Craig Papirnyk’s side travel to Bucks and suffer a disappointing 2-1 defeat in the Huws Gray Alliance League.
Port were well below par in a goal-less first half and the game only sparked to life after the break when Adam Eden fired Buckley ahead.
The introduction of Jay Gibbs on the hour signalled something of a revival for Port and a rare highlight came when Dan Dascalu scored his first goal since joining the club.
But despite threatening to turn the game around, Port’s revival was short-lived as Adam Bellis converted a penalty to restore Buckley’s advantage, which they held to the end.
Town threatened first on 13 minutes when Aron Williams’ shot was well saved by keeper Paul Pritchard.
Sion Edwards blasted narrowly over the bar for the visitors before another good Pritchard stop foiled Eden.
The nearest Port went to finding the net came via an Edwards corner, but keeper Joe Makaruk kept out a close range effort from Dale Davies.
Less than 10 minutes into the second half the home side were ahead and it was little surprise that Eden was the scorer.
His exchange of passes with Shaun Tinsley created the opportunity and Eden’s angled shot found the net.
Gibbs’ arrival as a sub gave Port a better grip in midfield. Edwards and Gibbs went close before Dascalu raised the supporters’ hopes with a welltaken equaliser on 69 minutes.
The former Llanuwchllyn midfielder broke from deep and then surprised everyone when he fired home from 20 yards.
Port’s revival hopes were soon shattered when the Globe Way club won a free kick on the left which was crossed to the back post where referee James Walker spotted an infringement by Ryan Taylor and pointed to the spot. Bellis beat Pritchard with a confident penalty and Port were once more chasing the game.
Two efforts from Edwards and a Davies header threatened for Port before Pritchard again pulled off a near post save from Eden near the end.
The only consolation perhaps for Port comes from the fact that, despite losing, the table now reads unbeaten Airbus at the top on 18 points, with Flint on 11 in second followed by Bangor, Rhyl, Conwy, Porthmadog and Penrhyncoch all on 10.
The league is now so competitive that surprise results are becoming the norm and no longer provide a shock, but Port’s current run of form is a distinct worry with just one point coming from the last nine available.