Flashback – 20 years ago: Port complete season’s treble over Hotspur

Porthmadog 3 (Kevin Roberts 8 & 26, David Evans pen 80)
Holyhead Hotspur 0
Huws Gray Fitlock Cymru Alliance League – February 24, 2001

This week 20 years ago Porthmadog completed a league double over Holyhead, who they also defeated in the Welsh Cup during this 2000-01 season.

If the score at Y Traeth suggested an easy home victory then nothing could be further from the truth for Port had to be at their best to overcome a determined Hotspur.

The win was built on another sound defensive performance – and keeper Kenny Dixon’s third clean sheet in a row.

It was an end-to-end battle with the first goal effort coming from Holyhead’s ever-dangerous Nigel Moore after four minutes.

However, first blood went to Porthmadog, when Kevin Roberts put them ahead after eight minutes.

The goal came from a right wing corner by Mike Foster deflected across the goal where Roberts got in front of keeper Dylan Pritchard and headed into the net.

Soon after Port’s Carl Owen cut in from the left, but Steven Pugh failed to convert a tempting low cross.

Almost immediately play swung to the other end and a fine diving save by Dixon was needed to keep out Adrian Owen’s fierce strike.

Then after 26 minutes came Port’s second goal when a back pass was neatly intercepted by Kevin Roberts, who ran on to score unchallenged.

Port were unlucky not to push further ahead after 31 when a stinging Lewis Coady drive was headed off the line by James Parry, and again on 37, when a clear handball on the goal line was seen by everyone except the officials!

Half time: Porthmadog 2 Hotspur 0

The second half continued much as the first with both sides playing good passing football. Martin Bohana had to be at his best to stem the Port attacks.

Kevin Roberts was in outstanding form for the home team, linking up well with Carl Owen with intelligent ground passes and clever flicks with his head.

Dixon did well to save from Moore after 52 minutes and then Adrian Owen headed just over.

Minutes later at the other end, Pritchard punched over a Roberts attempt on the counter attack.

Then it was Dixon again, denying Moore when he was clear on goal.

An excellent six-man move for Port followed with Pritchard turning Roberts’ header behind for a corner.

Eventually the only goal of the half came when a clever Roberts pass put Pugh clear on the right. He broke into the box where he was pulled down by Bohana. David Evans converted the spot kick, sending Pritchard the wrong way.

A good victory for Porthmadog made it five wins and a draw in the last six outings.

Port: Kenny Dixon, Martin Jones, Danny Hughes (Warren Gibbs), Mike Foster, Campbell Harrison, David Evans, Steven Pugh, Gareth Caughter, Lewis Coady, Kevin Roberts, Carl Owen (Neil Roberts). Sub not used: Osian Roberts.

Holyhead: Dylan Pritchard, James Parry, Alan Doutch, Jonathan Doutch, Martin Bohana, Jody McEachern, Neil Jatt, Carl Taylor, Nigel Moore, Adrian Owen, David Williams. Subs: Nick Dumbarton, Robin Hodgkinson.

Many thanks to Gareth Williams for the match report