Ardal Northern – Porthmadog reach play-off, cup glory for Caersws, Cefn Albion end on a high

Caersws celebrate winning the Ardal Northern League Cup. Picture: BRIAN PRYDDEN

ARDAL NORTHERN ACTION – SATURDAY, MAY 7

LOCK STOCK ARDAL NORTH WEST

Llanuwchllyn 1
Porthmadog 3

Report: Gareth Williams

Porthmadog have qualified for a play-off where the prize up for grabs will be promotion to the Tier 2 Cymru North League.

Craig Papirnyk’s side clinched runners-up in Ardal North West on Saturday with a 3-1 win at Llanuwchllyn.

Port will now face Caersws, second in Ardal North East, in the Ardal Northern Play-Off Final on Saturday, May 28, kick-off 1 pm at Wern Mynach Stadium, Barmouth.

Last Saturday’s test at Llanuwchllyn saw Port create plenty in the first half hour but had nothing to show for it.

Home keeper Sam Tyrer saved with his legs from Jamie McDaid and later denied Rhys Alun, who was looking very lively for the visitors.

With 42 minutes on the clock Port went ahead and it was no more than their tenacious play deserved.

Rhys Alun broke free on the left and when his shot was blocked, McDaid was on hand to fire the rebound low and inside Tyrer’s right hand post.

Port initially could not build on their lead after the break and Llan began to threaten more.

It was a relief when on 67 minutes came a vital second goal for the Traeth men.

Tyrer blocked McDaid’s cracking shot at the near post but the ball went only as far as half-time substitute Marcus Banks, who netted from eight yards.

However, the contest was far from over. The home side took advantage of some careless Port passing and with Gwydion Ifan and Nathan Davies pushing forward Paul Pritchard was put under pressure on the edge of his box. Ilan Hughes took advantage to fire home in the 79th minute.

This goal gave Llanuwchllyn some encouragement but only 5 minutes later, order was restored when Rhys Alun, chasing Euron Roberts’ ball, was tripped in the foot race with Paul Jones and the referee pointed to the spot.

Marcus Banks dispatched the penalty kick confidently for his 10th goal of the season.

This result ensured Port maintained their excellent away league record this season – 11 wins and two draws in 14 matches on their travels, 35 points from a possible 42.

Port are also away in their final league game this Saturday, at champions Mold Alex.

Then a fortnight later awaits that massive showdown with Caersws.

Porthmadog: Paul Pritchard, Gareth Jones Evans (James Morgan 87), Iddon Price, Euron Roberts, Josh Banks, Ifan Emlyn, Dewi Thomas (Marcus Banks 46), Rhys Alun, Jamie McDaid, Paul Lewis (Stuart Rogers 76), John Littlemore (Matty Jones 78) Unused sub: Cai Parry.

LOCK STOCK ARDAL NORTHERN LEAGUE CUP FINAL

Caersws 1
Mold Alexandra 0

Already Ardal North West champions and FAW Trophy winners, the treble was not to be for Mold as they went down to fellow former League of Wales club Caersws.

A goal four minutes into the second half from Glynn Coney made the Bluebirds the first ever winners of the Lock Stock Ardal Northern League Cup in a game watched by more than 400 spectators at Penycae.

Caersws, runners-up in Ardal North East and awaiting a play-off against Porthmadog for the right to be promoted to the Cymru North, worked hard to overcome Michael Cunningham’s Alex.

Bluebird Matt Mumford was given the man of the match by league sponsors Lock Stock.

LOCK STOCK ARDAL NORTH EAST

Machynlleth 2
Cefn Albion 6

Third-place Cefn Albion ended their league campaign on a high with a 6-2 thrashing of Machynlleth.

Kai Morris netted a hat-trick for the visitors, Jordan Williams added a double and Alex Williams notched his 31st league goal and 36th in all competitions this season.

Cai Page (2, 1 pen) provided the home replies.