Port gain points on and off pitch to secure playoff spot

Lock Stock Ardal League NorthWest

CPD LLANUWCHLLYN 1 Ilan Hughes 79’

CPD PORTHMADOG 3 Jamie McDaid 42’ Marcus Banks 67’, 84’(p)

IT was a fitting end to an extraordinary week where Port, having picked up 3pts via the FAW Committee rooms, went on, at Cae Gwalia, to complete the task with a convincing victory to leapfrog Denbigh Town into the all-important second place, writes Gareth Williams.

The victory – and the longawaited decision to award Porthmadog the points for the match against Saltney abandoned late on as Port led 5-1 – secures a play-off and the chance for a quick return to the Cymru North.

On a great looking pitch in bright sunshine, it was the home team who pushed forward, with Joe Evans having an early effort deflected for a corner. Port soon responded with Jamie McDaid breaking on the right forcing home keeper Sam Tyrer to save with his legs. The visitors pushed forward now and both Iddon Price and Paul Lewis fired shots over the bar.

Port pressure continued with Rhys Alun using his pace to break down the right but there was no final touch to his brilliant low cross. Rhys Alun who was now a constant threat with his speedy runs and close control.

He had his low shot parried away by the busy Sam Tyrer and also a header which flew wide.

But with half an hour gone supporters were beginning to feel uneasy, given all the pressure but there still was nothing to show for it.

There was always the danger that Llanuwchllyn could get on the score sheet with a long distance effort or a break from Joe Evans, who late on in the half, sent an effort narrowly over the bar.

But with 42 minutes on the clock Port went ahead and it was no more than their tenacious play deserved.

It was no surprise perhaps that Rhys Alun and Jamie McDaid were involved.

Rhys Alun broke free on the left and when his shot was blocked, Jamie McDaid was on hand to fire the rebound low and inside Tyrer’s right hand post.

This gave Port a narrow lead to take in at at half-time.

The second-half started with more Port pressure and a couple of long shots from Euron Roberts and Paul Lewis were followed by an angled shot from Jamie McDaid but the much needed second goal would not materialise.

In fact Llanuwchllyn started to push forward more often and from one of these Iolo Jones broke on the right lashing a shot into the side netting and when Ilan Hughes’ free kick found Joe Evans on the left a dangerous cross narrowly failed to find a finishing touch.

Then on 67 minutes came a vital second goal and it was half-time sub Marcus Banks who applied the finishing touch, Jamie McDaid, having scored the first, now provided the assist for the second. Tryer blocked his cracking shot at the near post but only as far as Marcus Banks, 8 yards out netted to make it 2-0.

Port supporters could now relax? This is Port and there was bound to be one more twist to the story.

The home side took advantage of some careless Port passing and with Gwydion Ifan and Nathan Davies pushing forward Paul Pritchard was put under pressure on the edge of his box. Ilan Hughes took advantage to fire home in the 79th minute.

This goal gave Llanuwchllyn some encouragement but only 5 minutes later, order was restored when Rhys Alun was tripped in a foot race with Paul Jones and the referee pointed to the spot. Marcus Banks dispatched the penalty kick confidently hitting the corner of the net with a low effort for his 10th goal of the season.

It really was all over now and Port could look forward to meeting old rivals Caersws in the play-off final. Caersws will be tough opposition following their League Cup triumph over Mold Alex on the same afternoon.

Assistant Manger Alun Winstanley commented post-match:“I have to give the lads and whole squad credit as we have suffered with injuries and set backs right from the start but they have kept on going and they have their reward against Caersws in a few weeks... huge few weeks for us all.”

Porthmadog: Paul Pritchard, Gareth Jones Evans (James Morgan 87’), Iddon Price, Euron Roberts, Josh Banks, Ifan Emlyn, Dewi Thomas (Marcus Banks 46’), Rhys Alun, Jamie McDaid, Paul Lewis (Stuart Rogers 76’), John Littlemore (Matty Jones 78’) Unused sub: Cai Parry.

Yellow Card Ifan Emlyn 63’ Llanuwchllyn: Sam Tryer, David Prysor Jones, Iwan Roberts, Ceri James, Paul Jones, Ilan Hughes, I Jones, Nathan Davies, Joe Evans, Gwydion Ifan, Iolo Jones. Unused subs A Rowlands (gk), E Edwards. Yellow Card: David P Jones. Referee: Stephen Jones, Assistants, Charley Smith, J Dewi Morris

Attendance:193.