Cynghrair Lock Stock Gogledd Orllewin / Northwest League

Y Traeth, Porthmadog 7:45pm  7/4/2026

Noddwyr y gem / Match Sponsors: Children`s Farm Park, Slate Caverns, Llanfair

Noddwyr y bêl / Match ball sponsors: BLOCKFOIL / Teledu Port TV

Champions elect Dinas Bangor 1876 took one more step closer to lifting the league trophy courtesy of a dominant first half performance against second placed Porthmadog at a well-attended Traeth. Three excellent headers in the opening period gave the citizens a grip on the game which they would seldom relinquish, and Port will need to urgently re-focus for next Saturday.

A promising Port attack on six minutes gave no indication of what was to follow when an excellent deep cross by Cai Griffith had to be fingertipped to safety at full stretch by Bangor`s man-mountain goalkeeper Carl Jones. Thereafter, most of the first period became Bangor`s show and the bitter adage ‘Bangor style!’ turned into a huge compliment. Their passing was accurate, and they seemed to be first to everything. In the tenth minute, a typically swift, sweeping counter yielded the opening goal when a left-footed cross by Josh Carey was headed home expertly into the corner of the net by Tommy Creamer.

Barely five minutes later, Bangor doubled their money when a cross from the other flank by Cai Owen was headed powerfully beyond Josh Cooke by Tom Clarke. Port heads were in a spin but gradually the Traeth men raised their game…. just a bit and you had to admire the determination of their very hard-working strikers in the shape of Rhys Alun and Osian Evans. Rhys Alun quickly evaded a couple of defenders before sending a worthy effort just over the bar. However, just when Port fans thought that the Bangor onslaught had petered out, up popped that perennial nemesis Corrig McGonigle with the goal of the night. Declan McManus was the provider as his deep cross yet again sailed over a leaping defender and Mcgonigle sent a towering and beautifully directed header into the corner. A great goal! But Port still huffed and puffed and a thirty yard effort by Rhys Alun was safely gathered by Carl Jones at the end of the half.

Some harsh words must have been uttered in the home dressing room during the interval as Port looked a much better side for the remainder of the match. There was a desire to take the game to Bangor and there was much more composure all round. Early on, after great work by Rhys Alun and Gruff John, the industrious Osian Evans was desperately unlucky when his glorious header cannoned off the post with Carl Jones well beaten.

This spurred Port on to greater things and it seemed that their first half timidity had evaporated. On 77 minutes, they deservedly reduced the deficit when a clever pass by sub Jonny Bravo reached Cai Jones who side-footed the ball past the imposing Carl Jones to give the scoreline an air of respectability at 1-3.

Bangor were not done, however, and they put the game well and truly to bed on 87 minutes when Jamie Reed`s low cross was turned in by fellow veteran Declan McManus to break Port hearts.

Bangor were very worthy winners, and they will almost undoubtedly make the leap to Tier Two where they will be a force to be reckoned with. As a footnote, however, the niggly side of their game won them few friends. Seldom have I seen so many sly nudges in the back (all unpunished!) from a Tier Three side. But that`s another story, I guess.

As for Port, they will certainly pick themselves up for the visit of the unpredictable Mynydd Isa on Saturday (kick-off 2:30). And now …… a stern warning. Beware of Llannefydd! Yes, they are in sixth position but they have so many games in hand and they just keep on winning. Mathematically, they are the only side beneath Port that can yet overtake us for that for that precious play-off spot.

Porthmadog: Josh Cooke, Gruff John, Cai Griffith (Jack Rimmer 86`), Gruff Ellis, Ryan Williams, Caio Evans, Rhys Alun (Liam Morris 78`), Sam Reynolds (Sion Williams 66`), Osian Evans, Cai Jones (Zac Pike 86`), Danny Brookwell (Jonny Bravo 45`)

Unused subs: – Steffan Alford, Meilir Ellis (gk)

Cerdyn melyn / Yellow cards: – Danny Brookwell (15`)

Bangor: Carl Jones, Cai Powell Roberts, Louis Corrigan (Logan Williams 89`), Cai Owen, Tom Clarke (Capt.), James Barry (Dion Donohue 81`), Corrig McGonigle (Jamie Reed 72`), Declan McManus (Sam Jones 89`), Tommy Creamer (Jack Smith72`), Josh Carey, Adam Long.

Unused subs: – Josh Davies (gk), Dion Jones

Dyfarnwr / Referee: Rhodri Owain ab Dafydd

Cynorthwywyr / Assistants: David Griffiths, Osian Rees-Jones

Torf/Attendance: – 768

Adroddiad / Report: – Treflyn Jones