Paps’ reign ends on a sad note – but his work at Porthmadog will long be remembered

JD CYMRU NORTH – DECEMBER 26, 2023

Porthmadog 0
Bangor 1876 4 (McGonigle 18, S Jones 50, Whelan 72, Barry 90+5)

Craig Papirnyk’s reign as Porthmadog manager did not end on a happy note, but despite today’s result supporters will remember fondly the consistency and quality he brought to the club over a total of nine years.

Today was Bangor 1876’s day at Y Traeth, the sixth-place visitors running out comfortable victors to make it four wins in five league starts.

More than 700 fans witnessed an entertaining Boxing Day derby and the first-ever competitive meeting of these teams.

Inside the first two minutes, Port’s Danny Brookwell cut inside from the right but his shot was saved by Carl Jones.

Following a corner in the 13th minute, Corrig McGonigle’s powerful shot was turned over the bar by home keeper Alex Ward-Jones.

After 18 minutes, Bangor took the lead. Ward-Jones came out of his goal to try clear the ball but struck it against McGonigle. This left the prolific striker with the simple task of rolling the ball into the empty net for his 37th goal in 32 matches during 2023.

The hosts went in search of a quick response and came close. Brookwell showed some neat footwork on the right side of the penalty area to create space to shoot, but pulled his effort across the goal and wide of the far post.

Porthmadog captain Cai Jones then played a one-two before shooting over the bar from just inside the penalty area.

Almost immediately afterwards a quick counter attack by Bangor nearly doubled their lead. Mason Blackwell-Jones and McGonigle linked up well on the right, but Sam Jones shot narrowly wide when the ball reached him on the left of the area.

A few minutes before the interval, Brookwell seemed to slightly miscue a shot across goal from the edge of the box but his effort narrowly eluded Sion Cavanagh as the attacker ran in at the back post.

HALF-TIME: PORTHMADOG 0-1 BANGOR 1876

In the opening moments of the second period, Bangor almost scored again. Ward-Jones miscued an attempted clearance but managed to recover to block McGonigle’s follow-up.

With 50 minutes on the clock, it was 2-0. Cai Powell-Roberts crossed to the back post where Sam Jones controlled well before scoring with a powerful low shot.

Brookwell’s 20-yard strike almost pulled one back, but Carl Jones did well to tip his powerful shot over the bar.

Jones soon after saved well at his near post to thwart Morgan Owen.

With 20 minutes left, Bangor extended their advantage, Craig Whelan finishing off from a Iolo Hughes assist.

In injury time, Bangor added a fourth. Ward-Jones again struggled to clear the ball with his feet and presented Blackwell-Jones with a chance to shoot. Although his initial effort was cleared, substitute Cameron Barry was on hand to turn in the rebound.

PORTHMADOG

Alex Ward-Jones
Morgan Owen
Telor Williams
Nathan Williams
Gruffydd Ellis Mabon Owen 90+1)
Caio Evans
Stuart Rogers
Shaun Cavanagh
Cai Jones (c) – Tom Mahoney 45
Danny Brookwell (Elis Puw 81)
Rhys Alun (Zac Pike 81)

BANGOR 1876

Carl Jones
Cai Powell-Roberts
Dan Cox
Joe Culshaw
Iolo Hughes
Tom Clarke
Sam Jones
Joe Sullivan
Craig Whelan (Cameron Barry 87)
Corrig McGonigle (Gethin Thomas 66)
Mason Blackwell-Jones