LACKLUSTRE PORT BEATEN IN FINAL AWAY LEAGUE GAME

GRESFORD ATHLETIC 3

T Gallagher-Keenan 8’

S Spridgeon 34’

D Deacon 62’

CPD PORTHMADOG 1

Kian Hughes 73’

FRANKLY, it was an all-too-familiar case of ‘back to normal’ for Port tonight as they turned in a lacklustre performance and got what they deserved, writes Treflyn Jones.

The home side, on the other hand, put in a good team performance in what was Port’s final away league fixture of the season, a game played at the Rock, the ground Gresford now share with Cefn Druids for their home fixtures.

Funnily enough, it all started so brightly for the visitors as Port dominated the opening 5 minutes. Indeed, in the first minute, Ifan Emlyn hit the upright with an in-swinging corner kick and shortly after, Cai Parry failed to control a glorious pass from Nathan Williams into the box when well-placed. Two minutes later, Rhys Williams in the Gresford goal was forced into a fine reflex save after a great run and shot by Tom Mahoney.

Then, on seven minutes, with their very first attack of the game, Gresford undeservedly took the lead. Alex Buxton did very well to beat a defender for pace and his low cross found Gallagher- Keen at the far post to score with a sliding tap-in.

It was horribly, horribly against the run of play but from then on, just to rub salt into the wound, Gresford took almost complete control, doubling their advantage shortly after the half-hour mark when Sam Spridgeon got on the end of a beautifully weighted low pass by Gallagher-Keen and slotted home past Morgan Jones as cool as you like.

For the remainder of the half, some good saves by Morgan just about kept us in the game.

Gresford made the game safe with a thumping header by Dominic Deacon from a pin-point cross from the left flank on 62 minutes.

For the remainder of the half, Port, to their credit, began to get their game together as Gresford sat back and with 18 minutes remaining, substitute Kian Hughes reduced the arrears with a wonderful low shot from outside the box after excellent work on the wing by the tireless Alex Boss.

We rather like consolations at Port and this one was a bit special.

To put it tactfully, Port have work to do if they are to survive at this level beyond the next season.