Flashback – 10 years ago: Last gasp leveller from Rhys Roberts rescues point for Port

Penrhyncoch 1 (Mark Egan 62 pen)
CPD Porthmadog 1 (Rhys Roberts 90)
Cymru Alliance – March 15, 2011

Ten years ago this week, a Rhys Roberts equaliser in the last minute rescued a point for Porthmadog from their long trip to Ceredigion.

On the run of play, in a game which they dominated from start to finish, the Eifionydd visitors could have expected more.

Port were on the attack from the start playing down the Cae Baker slope.

Early efforts on goal came from Carl Owen and Gareth Jones Evans but the nearest they went to opening the scoring was when Darren Gowans cut in from the left and unleashed a low shot which keeper Llew Hughes needed a second bite at his near post under pressure from Carl Owen, before completing the save.

It was clear the home side would have to rely on counter attacks with Dan James showing well breaking quickly on the left, but despite a Richard Harvey stop from Mark Egan, the Port defence looked in control.

Carl Owen lifted his 15 yard shot over the bar and there were numerous corners which failed to produce a goal.

The nearest Port came to netting was a Paul Roberts thunderbolt, hit on the turn, which rattled the outside of the upright.

Soon after Paul Roberts turned supplier as Marcus Orlik chased an angled delivery played behind the home defence, but with the ball running away from him down the slope he screwed his shot narrowly over the bar.

The only real home opportunity of the half came when sub Cledan Davies played a good low ball in at the near post, but Stuart Frazer, though well placed, lifted his shot over the bar.

Half-time: 0-0

Port were on the attack again immediately and the home side were again grateful to keeper Hughes as he scrambled away a Paul Roberts effort.

Playing down the slope, the home side did offer more in the way of attacks and from one of these Chris Williams’ shot from the right dipped just over the bar.

But with 62 minutes gone Port paid the price for failing to take advantage of 80% of the play when Ryan Davies brought down Josh Shaw just inside the box and referee Aled Jones issued a yellow card.

He pointed to the spot and Mark Egan stepped up to convert.

Port redoubled their efforts and the game now became centred in and around the Penrhyn penalty area, but a mixture of sturdy defending and inspired goalkeeping somehow kept the travellers at bay.

A low Paul Roberts cross to the far post was driven hard by Owen only for Hughes to save with his legs and minutes later the keeper turned a Dan Pyrs shot round the post.

Defender Rhys Roberts had by this time joined the front men and added his strength and vigour to the cause.

His presence in the box paid off right on the stroke of 90 minutes when Euron Roberts’ long cross from the right fell for him in the box and Rhys Roberts notched the late equaliser with a low shot from 12 yards. This was Rhys’ fifth goal in the last four games.

Penrhyncoch: Llew Hughes, Eilian Evans, Mark Gornall, Llyr Hughes (Leigh Jenkins 73), Jon Foligno, Gari Lewis (Cledan Davies 17), Chris Williams, Dan James, Stuart Frazer, Josh Shaw, Mark Egan.

Porthmadog: Richard Harvey, Euron Roberts, Mike Foster, Ryan Davies, Rhys Roberts, Dan Pyrs, Gareth Jones Evans, Marcus Orlik (Cai Jones 68) Paul Roberts, Carl Owen, Darren Gowans (Craig Roberts 74).

Match report from the Porthmadog website archive section by kind permission of Gareth Williams