Flashback – 15 years ago: Moran and Hunt sink Port

Rhyl 3 (Andy Moran 51 & 87, Lee Hunt 73)
Porthmadog 0
Welsh Premier League – February 11, 2006

One of the most dynamic striking partnerships in the history of the Welsh Premier combined to sink Porthmadog at Belle Vue 15 years ago today.

Rhyl aces Andy Moran and Lee Hunt – the club’s No 1 and 2 highest scorers respectively in the league – shared the goals in a comfortable victory over Port.

The home side started well and in the 11th minute Moran found himself in space in the box but his touch let him down and the opportunity was lost.

Only a minute later Hunt swept a good opportunity past the post. Greg Stones then came close, following a good build up on the left, but his clever flick at the near post was well anticipated by Richard Harvey in the Port goal.

The Port defence, however, kept its composure, with Rhys Roberts outstanding.

With Rhyl closing things down quickly in midfield and with the physically strong back four dominant in the air, Port struggled to create anything in the final third.

One moment of danger came when Jason Sadler, on his debut, turned George Horan well on the edge of the box but he was denied a run on goal by a blatant shirt pull which resulted in a free-kick.

Port were again unlucky when a good bout of inter-passing put Sadler through on goal but a linesman’s flag for offside denied him the opportunity.

The half ended with Rhyl again on the attack and Harvey did well to keep them out with an excellent punch under pressure at the back post.

Half-time: 0-0

Rhyl were not denied for long in the second-half, however, and six minutes in a throw from the left reached Moran who turned well in the box to beat Harvey from 10 yards.

Port worked hard to contain the home side but Gareth Wilson fired narrowly wide from 25 yards and Moran’s dipping shot drifted wide.

Port might have drawn level after 69 minutes when Danny Hughes crossed following good work by Sadler, but Carl Owen appeared to be impeded as he battled to get a finishing touch.

Rhyl more or less settled the match after 73 minutes when Port gave the ball away in midfield and they were punished when Marc Limbert drove low into the box and Hunt finished off from close range.

The disciplined home side then kept a tight control on things and three minutes from time sub Chris Sharp capitalised on an error to drive low at goal.

Harvey stopped the initial shot but Moran was on hand to collect the rebound and score his second from close range.

Porthmadog’s Mike Foster made his 300th Welsh Premier appearance but unfortunately he was unable to celebrate it with a win.

Rhyl: Paul Whitfield, Mark Connolly, Stuart Graves, Greg Stones, George Horan, Gareth Wilson, Marc Limbert, Andy Moran, Lee Hunt (Chris Sharp 81), Chris Taylor (Chris Adamson 75), James Brewerton.

Port: Richard Harvey, John G Jones, Lee Webber, Rhys Roberts, Mike Foster, Danny Hughes, Gareth Parry (Ywain Gwynedd 74), Paul Friel, Gareth Caughter, (Iwan Thomas 81), Carl Owen, Jason Sadler.

Attendance 490

Many thanks to Gareth Williams for report