13/09/2025

Ardal North West

Lleoliad / Venue: The Ring, Llay

k.o 2.30pm

Porthmadog preserved their hundred percent start to the 2025 league campaign with a convincing victory on a challenging playing surface at Llay Miners` Welfare. The victory was merited but it was perhaps less comfortable than the scoreline would suggest as the hosts often gave as good as they got in both halves.

Indeed, it was Llay who started the brighter from the off as a header from a corner after only two minutes went narrowly over the bar and Josh Cooke was called upon to make a save low down to his right a minute later. Port soon settled, however, and opened the scoring after 7 minutes when a corner to the far post by playmaker Shaun Cavanagh was superbly headed into the opposite corner of the goal by Gruff John.

Llay were undaunted and, from a typically swift break, a shot from Scott Swords went narrowly over the bar. But, for all their enterprise, Port went further ahead after the fifteen minute mark when Dan Atkins was adjudged to have been brought down in the box. Shaun Cavanagh strode confidently towards the spot before dispatching a low, firm shot into the corner of the net after sending goalkeeper Aidan Johnson the wrong way.

Much to their credit, the hosts continued to attack at every opportunity and came close to opening their own account on quite a few occasions. A dangerous free kick only just cleared the crossbar with Cooke seemingly struggling before a half volley inside the area clattered off the underside of Port`s crossbar before bouncing to safety. Then, Cooke did well to get his fingertips to a fine low drive by left winger John James King. Port also had their moments and a pinpoint pass by Cavanagh was met by a volley from Rhys Alun which cleared the crossbar.

Port were defending well at this stage and continued to attack the Llay backline as they played down the slope. On 42 minutes (what a great time to score!!! )…Port did it again. A corner from the right this time by that man Cavanagh found Dan Atkins unmarked and he headed powerfully past Johnson to put Port 0-3 up at the break. How would I sum up that half? Well, one team took their chances and the other didn`t!

Port started the second period determined to add to their generous tally and midfielder Ryan Williams came very close when his volley from ten yards went narrowly past the upright. Ten minutes later, however, Port put the game well and truly to bed courtesy of a woeful defensive muddle on the hosts` part. An ill-judged short pass by keeper Johnson was well read and intercepted by Cavanagh who very unselfishly rolled the ball to Rhys Alun who made no mistake as he slammed the ball past a defender low into the net to put Chris Jones` men into seventh heaven with a seemingly unassailable 0-4 lead.

We can perhaps forgive Port for taking their foot off the gas somewhat after this juncture but one also felt that the hard-working Llay team deserved at the very least a consolation goal for all their endeavour and sometimes enterprising attacking play. Well, this they duly achieved after some 70 minutes. Port defenders needlessly got into an argument with the referee on the right flank when they felt that Caio Evans had been the victim of a careless challenge but Mr. Jed Machin waved play on and a cross into the box took an invitingly abnormal high bounce onto the head of Jonathan Collo who made no mistake as he nodded home past a stranded Josh Cooke.

And there it was. A very commendable away win for the men from Y Traeth. Here`s a question for you……………What did all of Port`s goals have in common? That`s right, children …the Cofi playmaker Shaun Cavanagh had a hand in all four as he scored one from the spot and created the other three. Llongyfarchiadau, Sion!

Next Saturday at Y Traeth, we will turn our attentions to the Welsh Cup when we welcome a very strong Denbigh Town from Tier Two for a first round clash. Can David put one over on Goliath? Of course he can! Kick-off is at 2:00p.m. Be there or be square.

Daliwch ati, Port!

Llay Welfare :- Aidan Johnson (gk), Adam Williams (Fre Zemichael Tewolde 80`), Liam Collo, Jack Williams (Joshua Philips 80`), Dean Bryan (capt.), Ellis Hickey, Scott Swords(Ben Hughes 80`), David Macintyre, Jonathan Collo, Cavan Daley, John James King (Daniel Clewley 80`) Unused subs :- Kalvin Williams, Rhys Hankey. Yellow cards :- Jonathan Collo (90+1`)

Porthmadog :- Josh Cooke (gk), Jake Jones, Jack Rimmer, Gruff John, Gruff Ellis, Caio Evans (Math Wyn Jones 75`), Rhys Alun (Zac Pike 75`), Ryan Williams, Shaun Cavanagh ( Jonny Bravo 63`), Cai Jones (Sam Reynolds 63`), Dan Atkins (Jack Gibney 75`).
Unused sub :- Meilir Ellis (gk) Yellow card :- Cai Jones (36`)

Dyfarnwr / Referee :- Jed Machin
Cynorthwywyr / Assistants :- Martin Thomas, Kieran Thomas Davies Torf / Attendance :- about 80 ?

Adroddiad / Report :