Flashback – 10 years ago: Andy Swarbrick pair guides Druids to victory

Cefn Druids 2 (Andrew Swarbrick 72 & 87)
CPD Porthmadog 1 (Marcus Orlik 44)
Cymru Alliance – April 16, 2011

With a newly-laid pitch at The Rock not offering the best of surfaces there was no chance of a Cymru Alliance clash played on this date 10 years ago being much of a spectacle.

This set the scene for what was going to be a battle of who would deal best with the long balls and pick up the second balls all over the field.

Cefn started brighter and Adam Hesp was soon into action with his long throws.

To their credit, Porthmadog dealt with everything thrown at them, with the back four excellently marshalled and supported by Richie Owen in front.

After 10 minutes Paul Roberts found himself in behind the defence and through on goal and was clearly pulled back by Robbie James but to the astonishment of Port players and supporters the official waved play on.

Druids continued to press but didn’t force Richard Harvey to deal with anything other than a few simple catches.

As the half wore on Porthmadog grew in confidence and in the 44th minute a Richie Owen cross found its way to Marcus Orlik on the edge of the box.

Orlik hit a cracker into the top corner of the net.

The joy for the away fans was short-lived as two minutes later Dan Pyrs committed a foul in the box and received his marching orders.

Druids missed the penalty – high and wide to the left.

Half-time: Druids 0 Porthmadog 1

For all of Druids’ possession after the restart they could not break down an organised and determined Port back line.

With the visitors down to 10 men, however, they started to tire and eventually another Hesp missile into the box caught out the Port defence with Andrew Swarbrick tapping in at the far post minutes after coming on as a substitute.

Three minutes from time, another ball in behind the Port rearguard found Swarbrick, who turned well and placed a low shot across Harvey into the corner of the net.

To complete a frustrating afternoon for Port at the hands of the officials, they had a decent late penalty appeal turned down.

On the balance of play Druids probably deserved to win, but Port will have felt hard done by to leave without any points following all the effort and hard work they put in.

Druids: Line-up not available

Porthmadog: Richard Harvey, John Gwynfor Jones, Gareth Owen, Rhys Roberts (c), Mike Foster (Gareth Parry 87), Craig Roberts (Cai Jones 70), Dan Pyrs, Richard Owen, Darren Gowans (Jamie McDaid 70), Marcus Orlik, Paul Roberts.

Report: Porthmadog FC website – many thanks