22/11/2025

Cwpan JD Cymru /JD Welsh Cup: Rd 3

Lleoliad/ Venue :- Y Traeth

k.o. :- 2 :00 p.m.

Noddwyr y Gêm / Match Sponsors: DEWI I ROBERTS ADEILADWYR / BUILDING CONTRACTOR
Noddwyr y Bêl / Match Ball Sponsors: BLOCKFOIL MANCHESTER and KATE & ROB BENNETT

The faithfuls at Y Traeth today witnessed a battle of the Ports, and, at the end of a five goal thriller, it was Porthmadog who took the spoils albeit by the skin of their teeth against a talented and tireless Port Talbot. Porthmadog twice came back from behind and the game will be fondly remembered by debutant Liam Morris who expertly guided home two late goals to thrillingly send Port into the last 16 of the JD Welsh Cup.

The first action of note came in the fifth minute when an inswinging corner by Porthmadog`s Danny Brookwell was headed over the bar by Jake Jones but it was the South Walians who drew first blood on the quarter hour mark when a header from a corner on the left was relayed to Jordan Edwards who calmly headed home into the corner of the net to put Port Talbot in front to the delight of their travelling sombrero-clad supporters.

It was pretty much even-stevens during this first period and Porthmadog`s Sam Reynolds put a free header over Port Talbot`s bar when well-placed from a free kick by Shaun Cavanagh. Then, the creative Cavanagh fluffed his lines somewhat when he put in a rather tame shot straight into the arms of Christopher Curtis from the edge of the box. On the half hour mark, however, the Traeth men drew level. A clever pass into the box by Brookwell was well controlled by Cai Jones who tapped the ball over the onrushing keeper to make matters all square at the break. It had been a tough half for both sides and Porthmadog had good reason to be fearful of Talbot`s counter-attacks and their very dangerous set plays especially their corner kicks.

The second half started badly for the North Walians. After only five minutes Michel Morris` firm volley from 20 yards seemed to be well-covered by Port custodian Josh Cooke but somehow, due to the sheer power of the shot, it cannoned off his left glove into the net.

Fortunately, the home side did not panic but several good moves came to nothing as Port Talbot, on countless occasions, masterfully sprang the off-side trap.

Despite being two-one down, it was still anybody`s game as both teams took their turn to attack, and Port Talbot continued to menace the home defence with their dangerous set-pieces while Porthmadog kept their patience in the face of some disappointing theatrics at times by the visitors.

Finally, on 82 minutes, Porthmadog drew level. After great work by Danny Brookwell, his pass to Liam Morris was calmly controlled before he beat his marker and slotted home beautifully all along the deck. 2-2 and game on with a few more nerve-shredding minutes to go.

On 90 minutes, Port Talbot sent in a free kick from a central position which was well gathered by Cooke from underneath his bar. Two minutes later Port Talbot`s keeper dropped a high cross and was very fortunate to retrieve the situation with Rhys Alun breathing down his neck.

With the clock displaying 96 minutes and with penalties looming, the home side snatched a great winner. Port counter-attacked with pace and Rhys Alun did ever so well to bide his time before releasing Liam Morris who expertly placed another left-footer beyond Curtis to send Porthmadog into Dream Land and the fourth round of the Welsh Cup for the first time in many a season.

Congratulations again to Porthmadog and commiserations to Port Talbot who only just fell short.

Next Saturday, we welcome fellow title-contenders Llangefni to Y Traeth for a league encounter with a 2:30 kick-off.

DA IAWN, PORT!

Porthmadog :- Josh Cooke(gk), Gruff John, Jake Jones (Rhys Alun 71`), Gruff Ellis, Ryan Williams (Iddon Price 80`), Caio Evans, Shaun Cavanagh, Dan Atkins (Liam Morris 40`), Sam Reynolds (Sion Williams 71`), Cai Jones , Danny Brookwell
Yellow cards :- Danny Brookwell (60`) , Shaun Cavanagh (75`), Ryan Williams (78`), Caio Evans (90`)

Port Talbot Town :- Christopher Curtis (gk), Sam Baker (Warren Hudson 76`), Cory Saunders, James Dolman, Lewis Davies, Leon Croucher (Andrew Davies 66`), Michael Morris, Niall David Hayes, Jordan Edwards, Christian Allen, Sam Ryan Lee Jenkins (L. Boxall 59`).
Yellow cards :- Cory Saunders (23`), Richard Ryan (team manager 34`)

Dyfarnwr / Referee :- Aled Rhys Williams
Cynorthwywyr / Assistants :- Andrew Christopher Dogan, David Griffiths
Torf/Attendance :- 255

Adroddiad / Report :- Treflyn Jones

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