08/11/2025

Cynghrair Ardal North West League

Lleoliad/ Venue :- Y Traeth

k.o. :- 2 :30 p.m.

Noddwyr y Gêm / Match Sponsors: WIRRAL SUPPORTING PORT- CLIVE & MARY JAMES
Noddwyr y Bêl / Match Ball Sponsors: BLOCKFOIL MANCHESTER & DEWI ROBERTS ADEILADWYR / BUILDING CONTRACTORS

Prior to today`s kick-off, a minute`s silence was very respectfully observed in memory of the fallen during various wars.

This was very much ‘one of those days’ for Porthmadog as they struggled to break down a determined NFA defence during a second half which they dominated from start to finish. Port even had the luxury of playing against ten men for all of 51 + minutes but what would have been a deserved winner failed to materialize. NFA, on the other hand, deserve much credit for their dangerous attacking play during the first half and their never say die rearguard action after the interval.

Porthmadog could well have had their noses in front after barely a minute when Sam Reynolds was put clean through on goal by an accurate pass from Dan Atkins, but the young midfielder`s lob over the onrushing Ryan Roberts in goal went over the bar and a good chance had been wasted.

The visitors then had some very promising moments and Port`s Josh Cooke had to be alert to tip over a sharp shot, and, from the resulting corner, an NFA attacker fluffed his lines when he sent his close range header past the post. Port could hardly grumble therefore when the visitors opened the scoring from a swift counter-attack on eighteen minutes. A firm drive by the enterprising Macauley Taylor hit the bar with Cooke beaten and NFA retained possession well before a cross from the right was bundled home by Owen Herbert to open the scoring.

A clearly off-colour Porthmadog then huffed and puffed but created only a few chances of note.An inswinging corner by Brookwell was headed on target by Jack Rimmer but bounced straight into the keeper`s grateful arms. Port were having a productive spell in terms of possession from the 20 to 30 minute mark as they forced many a corner kick but another calamity occurred on 36` when Sion Williams lost possession and Macaulay Taylor comfortably out-paced Gruff John before being bundled over close to goal. Penalty! Up stepped the same player to probably put Port in deep trouble but Cooke in the Port goal pulled off a fine save diving low to his left much to the relief of the Port faithful.

Two minutes later came another turning point in the match when an over-zealous challenge by NFA`s David Wallis on Port winger Dan Atkins compelled referee Mark James to reach for his pocket and lo and behold! It was red! There was no further action of note during the opening 45` and the half ended with the visitors leading by a solitary goal.

Porthmadog upped the ante in the second period against NFA`s 10 men who were forced on to the back foot, and, during a lengthy period of defence versus attack, Port underlined their attacking intentions with substitute Caio Evans, Cai Jones and Rhys Alun being introduced into the fray. There followed wave after wave of attacks by Porthmadog, and, on the hour mark, Port`s Jonny Bravo placed a lovely low shot into the corner of the net only for his `goal`to be ruled out for an offside infringement. Then, Gruff John`s close range effort was sent tamely into the keeper`s arms on his near post. Shot after shot were sent blazing over the bar. But in the 83rd minute Port drew level when a header by Atkins was relayed to Cai Jones whose header was placed just out of reach of a defender on the line. 1-1 with the homesters being roared on in search of a winner. Indeed, a minute later a glorious exchange of passes came to an end when a last ditch tackle just foiled the industrious Rhys Alun with the goal seemingly at his mercy. There followed several goalmouth melees but NFA simply would not be beaten. After 99 minutes, it was all over…..1-1.

This was undoubtedly a case of two points dropped for Chris Jones` men especially when considering that fellow title contenders Bangor could only manage a very fortunate 3-3 draw at lowly Penmaenmawr Phoenix as they equalized with a penalty in the 96th minute! Port remain two points clear at the top but Bangor have a game in hand.

Port have a blank Saturday coming up next and so the next game at Y Traeth will be a 3rd round Welsh Cup tie against Port Talbot Town on November 22nd with (please note) a 2:00 p.m. Kick-off. Lets see a big crowd for that one.

Porthmadog :- Josh Cooke(gk), Jake Jones (Caio Evans 57`), Jack Rimmer (Rhys Alun 72`), Gruff John, Gruff Ellis (Cai Jones 57`), Sion Williams, Dan Atkins, Ryan Williams, Jonny Bravo, Sam Reynolds (Josh Banks 82`), Danny Brookwell (capt,).
Unused sub :- Meilir Ellis (gk). Yellow card :- Jonny Bravo (56`)

N.F.A. :- Ryan Roberts, Jack Parry-Jones, Thomas Hughes, Harri Williams, Lewis Evans, David Wallis, Owen Herbert, Paul Jones (capt.P), Macaulay Taylor (Aiden Bell..in turn replaced by Steven Fawcett 84`) , Macauley Ross (Oliver Hansen 45`), Oliver Staveley. Unused subs :- Curtis Cook, Daniel Wallis, Harrison Roberts.
Yellow cards :- Oliver Staveley (20`), Harri Williams (90+4`) Red card :- David Wallis (39`

Dyfarnwr / Referee :- Mark Jones
Cynorthwywyr / Assistants :- Matthew Williams, Ensan Daneshva
Torf/Attendance: 254

Adroddiad / Match Report: Treflyn Jones