Chaplin strikes gold in goal rush
Four-timer powers cup success
PORTHMADOG face a tough trip to Connah’s Quay Nomads in the last 16 of the JD Welsh Cup.
Monday’s fourth round draw saw Craig Papirnyk’s side land an away test against the Welsh Premier giants at the end of January.
Nomads have qualified for Europe for the past two seasons and are among the WPL title challengers this term.
Port advanced to the next stage of the national knockout with a 7-2 triumph over Welsh League Division Three visitors Panteg last Saturday.
The underdogs took a shock lead after just six minutes thanks to a top quality goal from their best player Lewis Iles.
This was the wake-up call Port needed, and they soon piled on the pressure.
In the 11th minute Sion Bradley’s low cross to the back post was converted by Joe Chaplin from close range.
Port put themselves ahead when Julian Williams was brought down in the box and Chaplin netted straight down the middle from the spot.
Chaplin soon completed a 15-minute hat-trick, capitalising on good work down the left by Bradley and Josh Banks, who delivered the telling cross.
The first-half scoring was completed just before the interval when Chaplin this time was the creator, with a flicked header to put Julian Williams through to run on past the advancing keeper and score into an empty net.
At the start of the second half the visitors showed they were not interested in damage limitation as they pushed forward with Iles, from the off, proving that given the opportunity he could still provide a threat. He was only narrowly wide of the target when he broke down the right.
Port were forced to concede a corner soon after when Richard Harvey had to push Brad Baker’s cross over the bar.
On the hour, danger man Iles notched his second goal of the afternoon.
As in the first half, the goal only served as a signal for Port to raise their game once more.
Within a minute they had added a fifth with Bradley down the left cutting along the byline and lifting a cross to the back post for Chaplin to head his fourth.
Port were now very much back in charge again with wave after wave of attacks. An error by keeper Mark Randall contributed to a sixth home goal as he could only partially stop Julian Williams from converting Gareth Jones Evans’ near post cross.
Jones Evans late on completed the scoring. Ifan Emlyn had opened the Panteg defence with a low ball into the box. The keeper blocked Cai Jones’ powerful effort but Jones Evans netted the rebound.
This Saturday sees Port return to league action in the Huws Gray Alliance with a home clash against Flint Town United (2.30pm).