Match of the Day 2: Alex Williams double sends Cefn Albion into FAW Trophy last 16 at Port’s expense

FAW AMATEUR TROPHY ROUND FOUR

Cefn Albion 2 (Alex Williams 50 & 65)
CPD Porthmadog 0

Report: Mr Dylan Rees

FAW Amateur Trophy holders Cefn Albion stayed on course for a repeat success after knocking highly-rated Porthmadog out of the competition at The Crick on Saturday.

The match had to be played at Brymbo FC’s home ground as Albion did not have the mandatory ground safety officer available at their usual base of The Rock in Cefn Mawr.

Albion remain in possession of the Trophy having been the last team to win the completed competition in 2018-19.

The 2019-20 tournament advanced all the way to the final only for that game to be cancelled due to Covid-19. For the same reason, the 2020-21 competition did not take place at all.

Saturday’s tie at The Crick between two Ardal Northern sides started quite evenly without either goalkeeper being tested. Gradually Port had more possession but with chances few and far between.

On 16 minutes Matty Jones saw an effort from the edge of the box well saved by Albion goalkeeper Josh Roberts.

Port stopper Dylan Roberts pulled off a superb save from an Alex Williams shot after 25 minutes.

In the 34th minute, a Josh Banks attempt from an Ifan Emlyn cross went just past the post and then a Sol Kempster header flew agonisingly close.

The first half ended with more Port chances for Cian Pritchard, the 16 year-old making his inaugural start for the senior team, Matty Jones and John Littlemore, but on the stroke of half-time Albion went closest to scoring when Callum Mannion rattled the crossbar.

Half-time: 0-0

Albion came out for the second half on the front foot and took the lead on 50 minutes as Alex Williams scored from close range.

Williams was on target again after 65 minutes as he spun round and shot into the far corner.

In the 88th minute, Port’s Littlemore had a shot fumbled by the Albion goalkeeper and from the resulting corner the hosts nearly scored an own goal but it wasn’t to be Port’s day.

TEAMS

Porthmadog: Dylan Roberts, Josh Banks, James Morgan (Matthew Roberts), Sol Kempster, Ifan Emlyn, Cian Pritchard, Matthew Jones, John Littlemore, Marcus Banks, Julian Williams, Paul Lewis.
Unused subs: Bradley Roberts, Craig Papirnyk, Jamie McDaid, Gareth Jones Evans

Cefn Albion: Josh Roberts, Joshua Valentine, Jordan Williams (Dion Gibbins), Nathan Williams, Nic Jones, Josh Millington, Ryan Kershaw, Kien Morris, Mike Latham, Callum Mannion, Alex Williams.
Unused Subs: Tom Gunson, James Jones, Tyler Wilkinson.