Agony for Port as lead is lost in final minutes
A WEEK after the 0-5 defeat at home to Chirk AAA, a draw at Mold Alex would have been a good result, but it could have been a really great result with Port two up with only 15 minutes to go.
The game started with the home side on the attack. Mold missed out on a great chance to take the lead in the opening minute, when Matty Lewis squared the ball to Danny Warren, who blasted over from eight yards. Warren threatened again within two minutes, when he was put through by Lewis, but his effort was cleared by the Port defence.
On 22 minutes, Dafydd Griffith, Mold’s centre half, had a goal ruled offside by the assistant referee and had a shot blocked soon after, as Mold continued to press. Mendoza then missed an opportunity when he failed to connect to a dangerous Warren cross.
Rather against the run of play, Port took the lead on 30 minutes, when a cross from Ifan Emlyn was superbly headed into the Mold net by Nathan Williams, for his fourth goal of the season.
Port were now on top and on 41 minutes Jason Banks was brought down in the opposition box and referee Aled Williams pointed to the spot.
Meilir Williams struck the penalty low and hard to the Mold goalkeeper’s left to double Port’s advantage.
Mold, however, finished the first half on the attack, but Rhys Nash’s overhead kick went narrowly wide of the Port goal and the same player had an effort well saved by Morgan Jones. Half time 0-2.
Port started the second half brightly with Cai Parry, a half-time substitute for Marcus Banks, taking a free kick which went narrowly over the bar and, a minute later, Gerwyn Williams had an effort in the six-yard box, but this too went over the bar. However, it would have been disallowed as the assistant’s flag was up for offside.
On 53 minutes Nathan Williams’ well-struck effort from 35 yards out, was well saved by Mold goalkeeper Elliott Quinllan. Minutes later a superb Ifan Emlyn pass put Gerwyn Williams in on goal, but his first time effort went just past the post.
Later in the half Mold started to gain more posession and were growing increasingly into the match, forcing Iolo Thomas to clear off the line. This was quickly followed by a Danny Warren header which Morgan Jones saved, and an Alex Smith effort, this time well over the bar.
On 79 minutes, Mold eventually made their impact when Haci Ozlu received the ball, cut inside and his curling effort went into the top right corner of the net with no chance for Morgan Jones in the Port goal.
Mold were up for it now, and on 83 minutes Rhys Nash shot just wide of the post. This was followed by a loud appeal by Mold for a handball in the Port area, but the referee waved play on.
Just when Port thought they had done enough for a win, on 90+5’ Mold broke away with Rhys Nash driving into the Port box picking out Danny Warren whose effort went in off the post.
Thirty seconds later, the referee blew for full time 2-2.Oh, the agony! But a point gained puts Port on 24 points, with five matches to go.
Though really disappointing to concede so late, the point keeps Port in 11th place and edges them closer to safety a point behind Gresford in 10th, and four points clear of Conwy Borough, who currently occupy the third relegation spot.
A much improved and commited performance by the lads, which deserved more.
Next up, away at Cefn Druids next Friday, kickoff 7.45pm
Porthmadog: Morgan Jones, Stuart Rogers, Nathan Williams, Tom Mahoney, Iolo Thomas, Ifan Emlyn (Harri Hughes 78’), Marcus Banks (Cai Parry 46’), Cai Jones, Gerwyn Williams, Meilir Williams, Jason Banks (Alex Boss 59’). Unused subs: Ben Fisher, Gethin Williams, Craig Papirnyk (gk).
Mold Alex: Elliot Quinlan, Matthew Lewis, Steve Watkins, Ryan Corney, H Ozlu, Danny Warren, J Watkin (S McHugh 78’), Rhys Nash, Dafydd Griffith, N Mendoza, Henry Nash (A Smith 64’).
Yellow: Dafydd Griffith 39’, Ryan Coney, Danny Warren 88’, M Cunningham (manager) 89’ Unused subs: J Barratt, L Emberton, B Jacobson
Referee: Aled Rhys Williams. Assistants: Simon McCormick, David Griffiths.
Attendance: 111
DYLAN REES