FLASHBACK – 10 years ago: Late drama as Porthmadog pinch points at Penycae

One of the most exciting games Porthmadog have been involved in since the turn of the millennium took place 10 years ago this week.

Port edged a 5-4 victory at Wrexham side Penycae, scoring twice in injury time to steal the points.

The home side had some pretty impressive names in their line-up, but for all that they were relegated at the end of a season where Port finished sixth in the tier 2 Huws Gray Alliance.

This match account features on the website http://www.porthmadogfc.com

HUWS GRAY ALLIANCE – DECEMBER 6, 2014

Penycae 4 (Naim Arsan 17, Asa Hamilton 38, Craig Garside 51, Aaron Simpson 69)
CPD Porthmadog 5 (Josh Davies 45 pen, 47’ pen, 62, Eilir Edwards 90+1, Dave Edwards 90+2)

This fast and furious game played at a 100 mph produced huge amounts of tension and excitement with an unbelievable sting in the tail.

From the 17th minute onwards Penycae, apart from two short periods, had been ahead with only a Josh Davies hat-trick (2 from the spot) keeping the visitors in the game.

Crucially Porthmadog took the lead for the first and only time in the game in the second minute of added time!

When Eilir Edwards levelled the scores at 4-4 most Port supporters would have settled for a draw in this frenetic contest, but in the second minute of added time sub Dave Edwards completed the comeback with the late, late winner.

From the off this game was played at top speed with little time to dwell on the ball and with the slippery surface and some big tackles contributing to an exciting, often error-strewn game.

Gruff Williams tested home keeper Ashley Roberts with a well struck free-kick but there was no one on hand to apply a finish to Josh Davies’ downward header.

Penycae then enjoyed a good spell of pressure with Richard Harvey down at his near post to save from Arron Williams followed by a Craig Garside effort which flew just wide of the far post.

The hosts went one-up when Garside set up a 17th minute chance for Naim Arsan, unmarked in the box, who netted from 12 yards.

Scoring chances continued at both ends, Josh Davies burst past the advancing Ashley Roberts only to have his shot diverted for a corner and minutes later the same player had a shot cleared off the line followed by a header which hit the post.

Penycae could have added a second just before the half hour when Ben Howarth broke down the right, his cross finding Garside in space on the edge of the box but the experienced midfielder screwed his shot wide.

Cai Jones for Port headed over the bar, but with 38 minutes gone Penycae went further ahead. The pacy Arsan broke down the right and his low cross was met by Asa Hamilton at the back post to make it 2-0.

Then in the final minute of the half, Port received a lifeline when referee Dan Fogarty pointed to the spot for a pushing offence in a crowded box. Josh Davies struck a low spot kick wide of Roberts’ right hand. 2-1 at the interval.

For the second half Port introduced Stuart Rogers for the injured Rob Evans and he went on to have a big influence on the game.

The visitors mounted an early attack and a scramble followed in the Penycae box with the referee again awarding a pen for a push.

Davies repeated the dose, putting the ball into the same corner of the net.

But parity did not last as within five minutes the home team were ahead again. A long ball from the back did not seem to carry much threat but defensive dithering allowed Garside in to take advantage with a close range finish.

The home side continued to press and Harvey pulled off a good save to deny Arron Williams and this was followed by efforts from Arsan and Hamilton.

Two minutes past the hour Port were level again. Pinball action in the Penycae penalty area and following a series of blocks Davies struck again for his hat-trick goal with a shot from 10 yards. Davies netted 22 goals for Porthmadog in 2014-15.

Again the lead was short lived as Arsan’s deep corner was headed back into the goalmouth for Aaron Simpson to score with a close range header.

Surely this was the end of the scoring but in the closing stages the visitors upped their game with Rogers prompting from midfield and second sub Josh Hartrick a real threat with his direct runs at the defence.

Now also Iwan Lewis for the first time was finding more space to make his runs.

Twice keeper Roberts did well to keep out strong headers from Cai Jones and Lewis. Rogers played in Eilir Edwards, but his shot went over the bar.

Into added time and Eilir Edwards this time made no mistake when Dilan Lomas flicked on a Rogers lob into his path.

The scores were level but the action was not over, for a minute later Iwan Lewis broke clear and squared the ball for third sub Dave Edwards to score the winner and complete the late, late show!

PORTHMADOG: Richard Harvey, Gwydion Ifan, Gruff Williams, Dilan Lomas, Josh Stadnicki (Josh Hartrick 57), Iddon Price, Iwan Lewis, Rob Evans (Stuart Rogers 46), Cai Jones (Dave Edwards 77), Josh Davies, Eilir Edwards. Unused sub: Craig Papirnyk.

PENYCAE: Ashley Roberts, Ben Howarth, Christian Cooke, Aaron Simpson, Nicky Ward, Ian Williams, Asa Hamilton, Craig Garside, Naim Arsan, Paul Mazzarella. Subs: P Hope, D Holland, Connor Kendrick.