Flashback: A player called Morgan shone on this date 20 years ago for Porthmadog….

Alan Morgan in later years during his stint as Llandudno FC manager in the Welsh Premier League

ON THIS DAY 20 YEARS AGO……

Porthmadog 3 Halkyn United 1

Match action information: Emyr Gareth

On August 9, 2003, Porthmadog took on Halkyn United in a pre-season friendly played in searing heat at Y Traeth.

Port were about to embark on a return to the Welsh Premier League after winning the 2002-03 Cymru Alliance title by an emphatic 19-point margin.

Halkyn had finished seventh in the tier 2 Cymru Alliance the previous season and were probably as strong as they had ever been at this point in their history.

With the temperature rising to 28 degrees, the conditions were definitely far from perfect for a game of football.

The scoring was opened with a brilliant free-kick by ex-Tranmere Rovers player Alan Morgan from the side of the box, leaving the Halkyn goalie with no chance.

Morgan’s stay at the Traeth was short as he left the club in September 2003 and moved to Cefn Druids, where he was to become player-manager.

Port continued to control things for the opening 10 minutes, with Carl Owen and Gareth Caughter making much of the running.

It was little wonder therefore when the hosts added to their score through Owen on 10 minutes after he received a superb through ball from midfield.

Following the second goal, Halkyn came into the game for a while and Gerard McGuigan had to make one or two good saves.

There was very little action during the reminder of the first half, with the heat leaving its mark on the players.

The second half was also very quiet and neither side managed to take charge of proceedings.

Young striker Dylan Jones came on for Port late in the half, showing some good touches and going close to scoring on one occasion.

There was some action very late on as Halkyn halved Port’s advantage a minute before full time following a free kick.

A minute later, the visitors had a player sent off after an incident on the side of the box.

And then, two minutes into injury time, Port were rewarded with a free kick, with Morgan taking it once again. A slight touch off Gerallt Jones’ head was enough to find the back of the net to make it 3-1.

Porthmadog

Gerard McGuigan, Michael Foster (Richard Owen), Lee Webber, Andy Wagstaffe, John Gwynfor Jones, E Jones (Tony Williams), Dafydd Evans, Alan Morgan, Gareth Caughter (Jon Peris Jones), Mark Williams (Gerallt Jones), Carl Owen (Dylan Jones).