Resilient Port stun in-form Colwyn Bay
PORTHMADOG scored their best win of the season by beating inform Colwyn Bay 2-1 at Llanelian Road – just days after the departure of manager Sion Eifion Jones, writes GARETH WILLIAMS.
Craig Papirnyk took charge of team affairs and it was a case of when the going gets tough the tough get going and it was not just a spirited reaction to a difficult situation.
This was a performance of quality to be savoured and enjoyed.
In fact it was an exciting game with both sides going for the victory without a parked bus in sight.
Port had to come from behind to clinch the win with Ilan ap Gareth’s spot kick turning out to be the decider.
The visitors opened strongly and might well have gone ahead in the first minute.
A good sweeping move starting deep in their own half down the left, a cross to John Owen whose shot from 18 yards was kept out by keeper Andy Coughlin stretching low to the foot of the post and producing an excellent save.
Port continued to control the play with the Bay forced back into their own half.
On 20 minutes Coughlin pulled off another good save to deny Mel McGinness driving forward from midfield.
In just a few minutes it was McGinness again when Port hit on the break and this time he got behind the defence, one on one with the keeper but again Coughlin saved his team, getting a hand to the shot and pushing it for a corner.
In fact 21 minutes had passed before Paul Pritchard joined the action with a comfortable save.
Gradually however the Bay began to get a foothold in the game and the travelling support were wondering if it was to be another case of neat approach play and no goals.
Suddenly their worst fears were realised as Colwyn Bay broke quickly down the left and the pace of the counter attack left the Port defence stranded.
Mitchell Bryant raced on to the low cross and finished clinically from close range.
It seemed a case of here we go again, a worry that increased when Downes rattled the Port crossbar.
But to their credit Port stood up to the test and within 10 minutes they were back on level terms.
Ifan Emlyn’s free kick was struck towards Coughlin’s near post and Iddon Price nipped in to net from close range.
The scores remained level at the interval.
Both sides came out in the second period looking for a winner. Port again pushed forward threateningly and within 10 second half minutes they had got their noses in front.
The goal came following good interplay down the left which allowed ap Gareth to burst threateningly into the box where he was brought down by Alex Downes. Referee Alex Livesey pointed to the spot immediately.
Ap Gareth stepped up for a real pressure kick and, with the keeper going the wrong way, he crowned an excellent individual performance with the winning goal.
Despite home pressure and after more than four minutes of added time, the final whistle signalled that celebrations could begin on the pitch, in the dugout and in the stands.