Flashback – 15 years ago: Jason Sadler pair seals a fine victory for Porthmadog

Connah’s Quay Nomads 0
CPD Porthmadog 2 (Jason Sadler 70, 88)
Vauxhall Masterfit Welsh Premier – March 17, 2006

Two late goals from Jason Sadler secured a useful three points for Port on this date 15 years ago at Deeside Stadium.

Home side Nomads had the strong wind at their back in the first half and looked the more likely to score.

In only the third minute Port keeper Richard Harvey had to rush out of his goal to save well at the feet of striker Gary O’Toole and he was soon in action again, this time to deal with Tommy Mutton’s low angled shot.

The visitors’ best effort came from an exchange of passes between Carl Owen and Gareth Caughter which freed Owen to cross into the box, but Porthmadog failed to get bodies into the danger zone and it was easily cleared.

Harvey was relieved to see one speculative 30 yard effort from Mutton fly past the outside of the post.

The Porthmadog rearguard held firm and despite the Nomads neat build-up play half-time was reached without a score.

Half-time: 0-0

The second half was the direct reverse of the opening period with Porthmadog dominant both in possession and territory as they attempted to take advantage of the stiff wind. The threats were now on the home goal.

Owen’s shot lacked power after being put through by Paul Friel and when Danny Hughes found Caughter in the box, the awkward bounce meant he also failed to test Paul Smith with any real power.

Just after the hour Mutton broke to the by-line and Geraint Mitchell, who was having an excellent game at right back, pulled off a fine tackle to deny O’Toole a chance on goal from close range.

Sadler was beginning to find more room at the front and it needed a 68th minute goal line block by Russell to prevent a goal.

Two minutes later and Sadler broke the deadlock when he fastened on to Mike Foster’s well judged lob over the defence and with good control steered the ball past Smith into the net.

As the minutes ticked away Port forced a series of corners and penned the Nomads back in their own half.

With full time beckoning Davies fed an excellent delivery beyond the defence and Sadler beat keeper Smith in a race for the ball with the Porthmadog newcomer lobbing over the keeper’s outstretched arms and into the empty net.

Connah’s Quay: Smith, Heath, Russell, Hutchison, Pinch (Doherty 67), Jellicoe, Mutton, Murtagh, O’Toole (Cook 79) Molyneaux, Crawford.

Porthmadog: Richard Harvey: Geraint Mitchell, Lee Webber, Rhys Roberts, Mike Foster: Gareth Caughter, Danny Hughes, Paul Friel, Les Davies: Carl Owen,
Jason Sadler.

Attendance: 104

Report: Gareth Williams, Porthmadog FC website archive