Flashback – 10 years ago: Port’s Rhys Roberts strikes dramatic late winner

CPD Porthmadog 2 (Cai Jones 64, Rhys Roberts 90)
Flint Town United 1 (Shaun Beck 75)
Cymru Alliance League – November 13, 2010

TEN years ago today a dramatic winning goal from Rhys Roberts deep into added time gave Porthmadog the three points and a second 2-1 victory of the campaign over Flint.

Early pressure from the visitors saw Shaun Beck and Paul Williams denied by great defending from Rhys Roberts and Iwan Williams respectively.

Port came more into the game and a powerful Rhys Roberts header was not far off target in the 11th minute.

When Jamie McDaid broke forward dangerously a good defensive block was needed to keep out a Paul Roberts shot.

Ten minutes before the interval Port looked to have opened the scoring when Paul Roberts’ effort struck the post and bounced conveniently into the hands of a beaten Alan Jones in the Flint goal.

The visitors’ Ben Jones went close before the break when he forced Richard Harvey into a fingertip save from an excellent 18 yard shot.

Half-time: 0-0

Defences remained on top in the early part of the second half.

Rhys Roberts, who was a tower of strength at the back, intervened with an excellent clearance as Danny Sullivan’s dangerous cross caused momentary panic in the Port defence.

Then with 64 minutes gone, one of the many fine Port passing moves at last paid off.

Jack Jones picked up in the centre of midfield and played the ball into the box for Paul Roberts, who turned well and lifted the ball towards Cai Jones.

The young striker managed to get surprising power on his superb far post header which beat keeper Alan Jones from eight yards, entering the net off the upright. Having got in front Port surprisingly tended to sit back which invited Flint to push forward.

On 76 minutes the pressure paid off for the Silkmen when a sliced clearance gave Beck the opportunity he had been denied all afternoon. With Harvey stranded in no man’s land the striker headed into an empty net.

A double substitution allowed Dan Pyrs to move into midfield and immediately there was more energy and drive in the Port play.

The referee turned down strong Port appeals that Ryan Davies’ header at a corner had crossed the line.

Then with added time ebbing away, Davies played the ball into the box where his defensive partner Rhys Roberts with his back to goal magnificently hooked the ball wide of the despairing Jones.

The win lifted Port into the top six for the first time that season and extended their unbeaten league run to six matches – five of them victories.

Porthmadog: Richard Harvey, Dan Pyrs, Richie Owen, Ryan Davies, Rhys Roberts, Darren Jones (Euron Roberts 84), Jack Jones, Jamie McDaid (Barry Evans 71), Paul Roberts, Cai Jones Iwan Williams (Marcus Orlik 84).

Flint: Alan Jones, Mike Banks, Danny Sullivan, Paul Williams, John Davies, John Hill, Jack Abraham, Simon Hulse, Ben Jones, Shaun Beck, Gareth Roberts.
Subs: M Roberts, J Kenworthy, S Hughes, J Crowthorn.

Many thanks to Gareth Williams for match information and Iwan Gareth for photos