Port end hoodoo
FIRST WIN IN 10 AS THEY TOPPLE THE CANARIES IN CUP CLASH
PORTHMADOG return to Huws Gray Alliance League action this Saturday boosted by last weekend’s excellent jinx-busting 2-0 success over long-time rivals Caernarfon Town.
Craig Papirnyk’s side entertain struggling FC Queen’s Park at Y Traeth aiming to improve on their current seventh place.
Last Saturday saw Caernarfon’s bid to win a third successive Huws Gray Cup ended with defeat at Port.
Second-half goals from Joe Chaplin and Cai Jones ensured Port halted a run of nine straight losses against the Canaries.
The home side defended superbly against the wind in the first half, limiting the Cofis to very few chances, their closest efforts being a Jamie Breese overhead kick which flew narrowly wide and Chris Williams was foiled by a fine block from keeper Richard Harvey in a one-on-one.
And Port created openings of their own, Alex Ramsay doing well to thwart attempts from Sion Bradley and Cai Jones, while Tomos Emlyn’s neat chip was only inches over.
Seven minutes into the second half Port were ahead.
A controlled lob over the Caernarfon backline allowed Chaplin to race on. He cut into the box on the right and beat the advancing Ramsey with a great low shot which entered the net off the foot of the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
Home supporters had hardly got over their excitement at the opening goal when two minutes on the excellent Cai Jones received the ball in the centre of a crowded box, turned his marker and created space to fire home from 12 yards, netting his sixth of the campaign.
The visitors pushed forward and when the ball was given away at the back it needed a great Tomos Emlyn tackle to halt Chris Williams on the edge of the box.
Harvey saved from Clive Williams at his near post and it required a Dan Roberts header under pressure to complete the clearance.
That was just about the closest Town came to a goal and Bradley twice went near to a third for Port before the end.
In the quarter-finals, Port will take on either Holyhead Hotspur or Guilsfield at home.
Caernarfon, second in the HGA at present, will look to bounce back when they host Gresford Athletic on Saturday (2.30pm).
PORTHMADOG: Richard Harvey, Tomos Emlyn, Josh Banks, Dan Roberts, Tom Taylor, Gareth Jones Evans ( Jake Jones 86), Iddon Price, Ifan Emlyn, Cai Jones, Sion Bradley, Joe Chaplin (Meilir Williams 90). Unused Subs: Ceri James, Steve Bratt, Leon Doran,
CAERNARFON: Alex Ramsey, Joe Williams, Chris Williams, Rhys Roberts, Gareth Edwards, Kevin Roberts (Aaron Davies Thomas 79), Clive Williams, Ryan Williams, Jamie Breese ( Jay Gibbs 54), Danny Brookwell, Nathan Craig. Unused subs: Telor Williams, Liam Jones.