Flashback – 15 years ago: Porthmadog win at Quins should have been clearer

Cardiff Grange Quins 0
CPD Porthmadog 2 (Gareth Parry 11, Gareth Caughter 19)
Welsh Premier League – February 4, 2006

In this week 15 years ago Porthmadog completed a back-to-back double over bottom side Grange Quins – and the victory was much more comfortable than the score suggests.

Port went two-up in the first 20 minutes but the anticipated goal avalanche did not materialise and in a lacklustre second period they spurned numerous opportunities to give the scoreline a fairer reflection of the play.

The fact the contest remained at 2-0 was also in no small measure due to home keeper Gareth Williams, who turned in an excellent performance.

The opening minutes gave some indication of what would transpire when Rhys Roberts missed a heading opportunity from Les Davies’ corner and Carl Owen shot into the side netting following Mike Foster’s free kick to the far post.

Williams in the home goal made a fine one handed save to deny Gareth Parry.

The resulting Les Davies corner was met by Parry at the near stick to put the visitors ahead.

Port’s second goal came after 19 minutes when Gareth Caughter was first to react after Owen’s shot came bouncing back from the crossbar and directed his header over the keeper to score.

The visitors remained in charge, Owen chipping narrowly over the bar and keeper Williams performed marvels again to keep out a Les Davies effort following a Foster free-kick.

Half-time: 0-2

The second half had few thrills to warm a tiny crowd on a cold day, but on the occasions when Port brought the ball down and built patiently from the back they created opportunities for themselves.

Les Davies fired over when well placed and Lee Webber fired wide from point blank range following a corner.

Williams produced more heroics to thwart Owen three times when the striker looked set to score.

Though Port failed to score a killer third goal they rarely looked like allowing Grange back into the game.

Porthmadog: Richard Harvey, Danny Hughes, Lee Webber (c), Rhys Roberts (Ryan Davies 82), Mike Foster, Gareth Caughter, Gareth Parry, Paul Friel, Richie Owen, Carl Owen, Les Davies. Subs not used: Geraint Mitchell, Ywain Gwynedd.

Many thanks to Gareth Williams for report