Flashback – 5 years ago: Asa at the double in hard-earned Porthmadog victory

CPD Porthmadog 2 (Asa Hamilton 2 & 16)
Conwy Borough 1 (Moses Barnett 55)
Cymru Alliance – November 21, 2015

An early brace from Asa Hamilton secured three points for Port on this day five years ago.

It was the home side’s first maximum for a month and only the second win in their last nine outings.

Craig Papirnyk’s side started the game on fire and in the second minute Hamilton capitalised on an excellent Julian Williams through pass to fire low across Louis Mackin into the far corner of the net.

Cai Jones was only inches away from doubling the lead at the near post following a super ball from Iddon Price to put Josh Banks through on the left.

In the 16th minute the under pressure Conwy defence dithered to allow Hamilton in behind and he ran on to round the advancing Mackin to finish with a simple tap in.

Three minutes on and Port were grateful to Richard Harvey who made a great point blank save from Jordan Wells after he got on the end of a Moses Barnett free kick.

At the other end it was Mackin’s turn to pull off a close range stop when Julian Williams flicked a Stuart Rogers corner goalwards.

On the verge of half time the visitors could have reduced the lead when an excellent pass from Ricky Evans put Jack Roberts through on goal and a score was only averted by an excellent chase and tackle from Gruff Williams.

Half-time: Porthmadog 2 Conwy 0

Home supporters were looking for a third goal to make the lead more secure but it was the visitors who found the net on 55 minutes.

Good work by Roberts on the left side of the box created a clear shooting chance for new signing Barnett, who lashed a powerful shot wide of Harvey from 12 yards.

The lead was now down to a single goal and some of the doubts seemed to return to Port’s play.

The slender margin kept Conwy in the game, though apart from the goal they did not test Harvey.

The new central defensive partnership of Iddon Price and Steve Bratt stuck to their task under the high ball and with sub Ceri James providing cover in front of the back four Port were able to hold on to their lead without too many nervous moments.

Their best opportunity to seal the victory with a third goal came after 73 minutes when Hamilton almost capitalised on a goalkeeping error to complete his hat-trick. In the event his shot on the empty goal went inches over the bar.

In the latter stages Conwy tested the mettle of the home defence with a series of free kicks into the box from Barnett, but Port negotiated the final minutes successfully to claim the three points.

PORTHMADOG: Richard Harvey (c), Gruff Williams, Josh Banks, Steve Bratt, Iddon Price, Iwan Lewis, Stuart Rogers, Eilir Edwards, Asa Hamilton, Cai Jones (Ceri James 69), Julian Williams (Josh Davies 54).

CONWY: Louis Mackin, Luke Douglas, Moses Barnett, Jamie Whitehouse, Jordan Wells, Chris Rowntree, Andreas Alvarado, Alun Roberts (Peter Jones 19), Jamil Adam, Ricky Evans, Jack Roberts.

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