FLASHBACK – 15 years ago: Hayes goal earns Connah’s Quay the points at Porthmadog

Principality Building Society Welsh Premier – 12th December 2009

Porthmadog 0
gap Connah’s Quay 1 (Hayes 19)

Report: Gareth Williams – http://www.porthmadogfc.com

On this date 15 years ago current Flint Mountain striker Mike Hayes was the match-winner for Connah’s Quay Nomads in a Welsh Premier League clash at Porthmadog.

The fact that Port played for the last half hour with 10 men after Paul Roberts received a straight red card from referee Dean John did not assist their cause.

Quay’s Stuart Schuber provided the first threat on goal after 13 minutes but found his way blocked by keeper Richard Morgan at the near post.

On 19 minutes the visitors took the lead when Alan Glover lifted a corner to the near stick, but the Port defence failed to clear their lines and the ball dropped kindly for Hayes who drilled into the net from 10 yards.

Port worked their first real opening when Ryan Davies fired across the face of goal and wide.

Just past the half hour mark, Gareth Parry slipped the ball to Ceri James on the edge of the box but the well-struck shot flew narrowly over the bar.

Then on the stroke of half time, Port should have gained the parity they deserved but Aden Shannon spurned the simplest of chances.

Terry McCormick could only parry away a low shot from Chris Jones into the path of Shannon four yards out, but the usually capable goalscorer pushed it straight into the hands of a relieved keeper.

Following more free kicks another offence just short of the hour mark saw Paul Roberts receive his marching orders and Port’s task became even more difficult.

To their credit they produced some of their best football after this, keeping possession well and penning the Nomads back for long periods.

Shannon created a shooting chance for James just inside the penalty area, but McCormick was down well to his right to save.

Then the hard working Dan Pyrs burst down the right finding Shannon at the near post, but the striker fired into the side netting.

The Nomads, though happy to hold on to what they had, were still threatening on the break.

With 78 minutes gone Hayes broke on the right, cutting inside and Morgan needed to touch the ensuing shot over the bar.

This was a game where Port badly needed the three points to keep in touch with mid table. So this was a considerable setback in a game where on the balance of play they should have taken a share of the spoils.

Porthmadog: Richard Morgan, Euron Roberts, Marc Gornall (Mike Thompson 72), Dan Pyrs, Ryan Davies, John Keegan, Chris Jones, Ceri James (Marc Evans 82), Paul Roberts, Aden Shannon, Gareth Parry. Sub not used: Mike Foster.

Connah’s Quay: Terry McCormick, Ben Alston, Alan Glover, Mark McGregor, Andy Alston, Craig Jones, Jamie Petrie, Stuart Schuber (Alan Hooley 82), Chris Herbert (Sam McNutt 70), Mike Hayes (Stuart Cook 86).

What else happened that season?

• In the 2009-10 season, Connah’s Quay Nomads and Porthmadog were both relegated from the Welsh Premier as part of a pyramid shake-up which saw the bottom five teams go down. Both finished above the bottom three, so in any normal season they would probably have escaped the drop.

• Quay beat Port 3-0 at home aod 1-0 away in the league.

• The teams also met twice in the League Cup, Quay winning 3-2 at home, but Port getting revenge 4-0 at Y Traeth

• Despite suffering relegation, Porthmadog lifted the NWCFA Challenge Cup that season