Flashback – 20 years ago: Porthmadog celebrate a narrow win at Llandudno in the Cymru Alliance

Llandudno 1 (Thomas 57)
Porthmadog 2 (Farr 46, Pugh 70)
Huws Gray Fitlock Cymru Alliance League – December 23, 2001

Seven days after a shock 4-1 thrashing at Holyhead Hotspur, Porthmadog made amends by taking three points at out-of-form Llandudno.

On this date 20 years ago at Maesdu Park, the first half threw up little in terms of excitement, neither keeper really tested on more than a couple of occasions.

David Farr went closest for Port when he was denied by a good reflex save from Phil Owen following a low Steve Pugh cross.

Also unlucky for the visitors was Neil Fisher, just inches wide with a header.

Few present at Maesdu could have expressed much surprise at the interval scoreline of 0-0.

As the second half started it seemed the crowd were in for a little more excitement, with Port looking dangerous on the attack.

It took only one minute for the Traeth men to grab the lead after a well-worked move.

Mike Foster’s free kick was headed across the goal from the far post by Lee Webber, and all Farr had to do was nod the ball into the empty net.

Port’s period of pressure was short-lived with Llandudno starting to put away keeper Dylan Pritchard under greater strain.

James Mcilvogue headed just over the bar and put Pritchard on the ground as they crashed into each other.

On 57 minutes, Llandudno were back on level terms.

Ex-Port player Aaron Thomas lashed the ball into the top-corner from a free-kick on the right side of the box, bringing back memories of his father Mickey’s memorable goal for Wrexham against Arsenal in the 1991-92 FA Cup.

There were further scares for Port as Dean Hughes went close to giving the hosts the lead on 64 minutes.

However, Port slowly began to regain their composure and started to exert some control, with Foster influential down the left, working well with Farr.

The addition of Graham Randles, still not fully fit, also gave Port an extra edge, as it added height to their attack.

On 70 minutes Port made it 2-1, following a Dafydd Evans corner from the left.

Webber’s header bounced back off the bar, but only as far as Pugh, who planted the ball into the bottom corner.

It was far from plain sailing for Port in the remainder of the match as they failed to capitalise on further chances.

Passing errors evident in the visitors’ play throughout led to some discomfort late on with Thomas again creating problems for the opposition defence.

This was by no means a resounding victory for Port, who were never in total control of proceedings.

It was clear that Carl Owen’s influence up-front was still sorely missed, and that his return was essential to bringing Port’s season back on track.

Llandudno: Phil Owen, Ben Dews, James Kincaid, S Roberts, D Alexander, Aaron Thomas, Joe Carey, James Cornish, Dean Hughes, James Mcilvogue, Gareth Rawling.
Subs: Grant Montgomery, B Hughes, John Breslin.

Porthmadog: Dylan Pritchard, Michael Foster, Patrick Johnston, Neil Roberts, Lee Webber, Steven Pugh, Danny Hughes, Gareth Caughter (M Jones), Dafydd Evans, David Farr, Neil Fisher (Gareth Randles). Sub not used: Steve Fisher.

Report: Iwan Gareth