PORT PROFIT FROM FIRST-HALF CHANCES

Ardal League North-West BRICKFIELD RANGERS 1 H Ozlu (p) 60

CPD PORTHMADOG 3 Rhys Alun 4, 15

J Lima Teixeira 38’(OG)

ON a cold and windy afternoon at Clywedog Park in Wrexham, Port did enough to keep intact their proud unbeaten away record and this was down to a solid first half performance in which they took their chances and took them well, writes Treflyn

Jones.

We were also presented with the free gift of an own goal by a Brickfield defender to leave the home team with a mountain to climb after only 38 minutes.

Port certainly hit the road running as they were a goal to the good after only two minutes, when Rhys Alun latched on to an accurate low cross from Ifan Emlyn to send his shot wide of Williams in the Brickfield goal. This clearly inspired the Port team and they came close to doubling their advantage on 12 minutes when Rhys Alun passed to Littlemore inside the box but his firm shot was charged down by a defender.

It took only three more minutes, however, for Port to make it 2-0 when, after good work by Paul Lewis on the left flank, his low cross was met with a first –time left-footer by Rhys Alun as he expertly guided the ball well-wide of the stationary keeper into the corner of the net for a picture goal.

It wasn’t all Port at this stage, for Aaron White and Andy Vale proved to be quite a handful with their rapid breaks upfield and on 28 minutes, White’s firm low shot which appeared to be on target was well blocked by a Port defender. But, on 36 minutes, Port appeared to have made the game safe in rather fortuitous circumstances.

Dewi Thomas sent in a left-footed corner kick and sub Lima Texeira, under pressure from the Port attack, could only divert the high cross into the roof of his own net to give the visitors a very useful cushion.

The second half provided rather less excitement than the first, especially from the point of view of the visitors as the game descended into a rather dour midfield battle and things were not helped in this regard by the heaviness and slippery nature of the pitch.

Moreover, any thoughts of seeing the home team capitulating were quickly dispelled when Brickfield were awarded a rather debatable penalty.Stuart Rogers produced a last ditch tackle in his box and seemed to win the ball fairly before Andy White clattered into the tackler’s leg and tumbled over rather belatedly, leaving the ref with a tough decision which went the way of the hosts. Up stepped Haci Ozlu to send the ball narrowly wide of Paul Pritchard’s left hand into the corner of the net to reduce the deficit.

The rest of the contest became a pretty even affair as a few chances went a-begging at either end. Barely two minutes after Brickfield’s goal, a great cross from Cai Parry presented Julian Williams with free header a mere five yards out but he headed wide. Then, in the seventieth minute, keeper Williams let a tame shot slip between his legs but no Port attacker was alert enough to pick up the pieces and the keeper retrieved the ball to save his blushes. Then, a minute later, a glorious cross-field pass by Julian found Rhys Alun in acres of space for an unchallenged run at goal but this great chance was spurned as Rhys placed his shot wide of the upright with only the goalie to beat. Shortly after, sub Cian Pritchard produced some disciplined hold-up play before finding Cai Parry in space in the box but his effort sailed over the bar. Then, on 88 minutes, it took all hands to the pump in the Port defence to prevent a mazy run by Andy Vale from producing a goal which would have made for some very nervous final minutes for the visitors. It ended 3-1 and the three points were deservedly secured.

Next week, we will welcome a seemingly resurgent St.Asaph outfit to Y Traeth with a 2.30 kick-off. Another tough match in prospect. Porthmadog: Paul Pritchard (GK), Cai Parry, Josh Banks, Iddon Price (capt.), Ifan Emlyn, Stuart Rogers, Dewi Thomas, John Littlemore (Marcus Banks 46’),Rhys Alun (Cian Pritchard 85’), Julian Williams, Paul Lewis (Matty Jones 71’) Yellow card:- Matty Jones (74’) Unused subs:- James Morgan , C. Papyrnik