27/09/2025

Cwpan Lock Stock Ardal Northern / Lock Stock Ardal Northern Cup

Lleoliad/ Venue :- Y Traeth

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

Noddwyr y Gêm / Match Sponsors: WIRRAL SUPPORTING PORT FC – Clive & Mary James
Noddwyr y Bêl / Match Ball Sponsors: BLOCKFOIL MANCHESTER & TENDAI MUDAVANHU

Football leaves you with no time to dwell on past successes, which meant that the 100% start to the league campaign as well as that glorious, sunny afternoon in Rhyl in the middle of May were not to have bearing on Port’s first hurdle in their defence of the Lock Stock Ardal North League Cup against Trearddur Bay.

Albeit a relatively quiet start to the game, it was the holders that made the quicker start with their slick passing & more time spent in the final third. However, it was often the final ball that let them down, meaning that chances were few & far between in the opening 15 mins. The only real true moment of excitement came when some intricate passing in the Port midfield led to Dan Atkins being put through on goal, however the linesman’s flag meant this move was cut short.

There was a familiar face guarding the opposition goal in this game, as Paul Pritchard made another return to the familiar surroundings of Y Traeth & its fair to say that the veteran goalkeeper, now 41 years old used every trick in the book in that opening quarter of the game including demanding a new ball from the sideline every time an errant Port cross went harmlessly wide, instead of going to retrieve the ball.

The tide was well & truly turned after 26 minutes however, with Trearddur Bay showing a clinical nature (amongst some very poor Port defensive play in all honesty) to strike twice in quick succession. The first goal came from an excellent cross that was headed into the 6 yard box, where Christoph Aziamale was able to produce an acrobatic finish from close range. The second goal showcasing a defensive lack as a long ball from the back allowed Aziamale to run onto it, brush off his defender & pass it into the box for Josh Stanley to lay it off to Toby Jones to score with an easy finish.

Following the shock of conceding twice in 4 minutes, first half chances were few & far between for Port, with the only event of real note being an injury to Zak Pike, who was replaced by Jonny Bravo. On the other side, the excellent Christoph Aziamale was proving to be a real handful for the home defence, with his pace & strength.

There was to be however some drama in stoppage at the end of the first half, with the opposition manager, Campbell Harrison receiving a yellow card & his side being reduced to 10 men for the second half, as Liam Armstrong for sent off for violent conduct. It all stemmed from Sam Reynolds chasing a hopeful ball down the wing & as Armstrong attempted to shield the ball out of play, the assistant referee, who had the perfect view saw that Reynolds had been caught with a stray elbow to the face & immediately informed the ref. However, the visitors would go into the break with a 2 goal lead.

Against 10 men, there was an even greater need for a fast start by the home side, to ensure the defence of their cup wouldn’t fail straight away & there was an early chance, as a cross was put into the centre of the box & Dan Atkins shot straight at Pritchard. There was no shortage of crosses thrown into the opposition box, but the majority were way too close to Pritchard in the opposition goal.

With 58 minutes on the clock, Trearddur Bay were down to NINE men, as Harri Jones was shown red for Foul & Abusive Language towards the linesman, following an albeit questionable decision on a throw in. Abuse of the officials however is not tolerated & the young 19 year old had to leave the pitch.

With the opposition sitting further back & lesser need for many defenders, a raft of attacking changes were made by the home side & this meant that the remaining 30 mins was played solely in the Trearddur half, with Port going all out attack & throwing balls into the box & creating several chances, the closest being Gruff John having one cleared off the line.

There was some excitement behind the goal as Port thought they’d scored to set up a grandstand finish, but the referee quickly pointed to a foul on the goalkeeper & their joy was short lived! The chances continued to come with Shaun Cavanagh firing past the post & several other attempts being blocked by the determined Beach Boys defence.

In a game which saw 2 red cards, it was a seemingly strange decision by the referee to only give a free kick & not book the excellent Aziamale for practically ripping Sam Carrier’s shirt to stop him from advancing?

Into stoppage time at the end of the game, with 6 minutes originally noted & Port were throwing everything at the opposition by now, with a wild passage of play leading to a late lifeline for Port in the 2nd minute of stoppage time, Gruff Ellis saw his long range effort come back off the post, Pritchard saved the rebound, a 3rd effort was blocked before Jonny Bravo finally turned in an attempt from Ryan Williams’ pass. After lengthy treatment, Josh Stanley was to leave the pitch on a stretcher, which meant that the game time was to cross the 100th minute & Port were given further chances to take this game to penalties.

However, they were dealt a sucker punch in the 102nd minute, when Port having pushed everyone up were undone by the perfect counter-attack, Aziamale once again starring in his role as chief tormentor of the Port backline running through on goal, before placing the ball past the onrushing Josh Cooke & Toby Jones was left with the simple task of tapping it in to send the 9 men into delirium!

Port’s defence of the cup they won had fallen at the first hurdle & attention will now turn back to the league & attempting to continue their perfect start against Llannefydd at Y Traeth on October 11th at 2:30pm

Port: Josh Cooke (GK), Jake Jones (Sion Williams, 64’), Jack Rimmer (Sam Carrier 82’), Gruff John, Gruff Ellis, Caio Evans (Ryan Williams, 82’), Zac Pike (Jonny Bravo 39’), Sam Reynolds, Shaun Cavanagh, Cai Jones, Dan Atkins (Danny Brookwell, 64’) Subs Not Used: Meilir Elis

Trearddur Bay: Paul Pritchard (GK), Sean McCaffery, Anthony Marshall, Liam Armstrong (Red Card, 45+1), Josh Stanley (Harry McMullan 90+4), Christoph Aziamale, Toby Jones, Harri Jones (Red Card, 58’), Joe Williams, Tom Taylor, Tom Lennon. Subs Not Used: Owen Griffiths & Harley Owen.

Dyfarnwr / Referee :- William Gareth Parry
Cynorthwywyr / Assistants :- David Griffiths, Cian Owen,
Torf / Attendance :- 185

ADRODDIAD / REPORT: Rhydian Morgan