Port lose to late strike again

JD Cymru North: CPD PORTHMADOG 1 (Meilir Williams 22) GUILSFIELD 2 (Iwan Matthews 66, Joe Cook 90’+3)

A less than jovial Port supporter was heard saying at the end of the match: “Perhaps we should ask the refs to play 85 minutes only!”

Not for the first time this season, Port contrived to capitulate deep into injury time much to the anguish of their loyal followers, writes Treflyn Jones. However, even the most partisan home fan would have to concede that Guilsfield’s slender victory was a deserved one in the end.

The first half-chance of the match fell to Port`s Ifan Emlyn as he took on a thumping 30 yard volley after a faulty clearance by Robbie Williams in goal who managed to scramble back into position to make the save. This was followed by a timely interception in the Port box by Josh Banks and, a few minutes later, the same player did very well to clear a thumping header by the visitors’ Iwan Matthews off the line. It was end to end stuff by now and a glorious drive by Gareth Jones-Evans went narrowly past Williams’ upright.

Port opened the scoring with a cracking goal in the 21st minute. A fine pass by Ifan Emlyn put Meilir Williams through on goal, he spotting the keeper off his line, sent in a glorious volley high into the corner of the net.

There followed a fair few anxious moments for the home defence particularly when Jamie Hyne failed to connect with a free header with the goal at his mercy and soon after, Morgan Jones made a good point blank save with his legs.

The visitors started the second period with much the same vigour and pace that they had displayed at the end of the first half and it was little surprise when they equalized in the 66th minute, albeit due to shocking defending by the Port rearguard. The ball into the box could and should have been cleared but catastrophic hesitancy ultimately provided Iwan Matthews with the simplest of tap-ins.

Port did come close a minute later when substitute Cai Jones put Rhys Alun through but his shot lacked conviction and Williams made a fingertip save diving to his left. As for the closing minutes, it was Guilsfield in the main who looked the more threatening. But, just as the game seemed to be petering out into a 1-1 draw, up stepped Jake Cook to bypass a defender before sending a glorious right-footed drive from 20 yards way beyond Morgan Jones, 2-1 in the 93rd minute.

We are a well-supported team but where oh where is the next win coming from?

Our next game will be the 2nd part of our double header with Guilsfield away on Tuesday 6th December, 7.30pm kick off.