Port looking for return to winning ways
PORTHMADOG travel to Holyhead Hotspur tonight (Wednesday) seeking a return to winning ways in the Huws Gray Alliance League.
Craig Papirnyk’s side had high hopes of becoming the first team to dent Airbus Broughton’s 100% record at Y Traeth last weekend, but ended up 2-1 losers at the hands of the Wingmakers, who made it a magnificent seven straight wins.
Next up are Hotspur, who beat Port 3-0 last season. The game will see the Traeth men up against former striker Jamie McDaid, while Port players Jay Gibbs and Ryan Taylor will be facing their old club.
Holyhead are one off the bottom with just one league win in six attempts, but their recent performances have been much improved and include an away win to knock out Huws Gray Cup holders Flint.
Last Saturday’s game at Y Traeth saw Airbus take a 36th minute lead when home keeper Paul Pritchard failed to hold a Joe Palmer shot and former Port striker Asa Hamilton turned in the rebound.
The hosts almost equalised early in the second half when Josh Banks cut inside from the left and unleashed an angled shot which flew inches over the bar.
Just before the hour, Dale Davies levelled the scores.
Gibbs’ corner created a moment of panic in the Airbus rearguard and Gruff John’s header was scrambled off the line, but only as far as Davies, who drilled past keeper Dave Roberts at the near post.
The all-important winning goal again came when there seemed little real threat.
In the 80th minute Airbus substitute James Hooper took advantage of a moment’s hesitation in the Port defence, fastening onto a loose ball to break forward to the edge of the box and firing a quality shot beyond Pritchard’s left hand into the net.
Despite the result, home boss Papirnyk was proud of his team’s effort, stating: “I thought the lads played some of the best football I’ve seen and their performance deserved more than the result they got. Credit to Airbus, they are a strong and experienced side who will take some stopping.”