Good to see two P’s Llŷn derby back – but how long since Pwllheli previously beat Port?

Some delighted CPD Pwllheli supporters may have wondered after Saturday’s 1-0 Llŷn derby win over Porthmadog when was the last time they beat their neighbours in a league game?

This season has seen the towns reunited in the same league for the first time since 1985-86, when Pwllheli and District and Port competed in the new Welsh Alliance League.

At that time, with the Cymru Alliance and League of Wales not even thought of, the Welsh Alliance was the joint top level in the North Wales pyramid alongside the Welsh National (Wrexham Area).

Pwllheli and District were no more after 85-86, while Porthmadog remained in that league, winning it in 1989-90, before becoming founder members of the new Cymru Alliance in 1990-91.

This season has seen the Llŷn clubs back head-to-head in league combat for the first time since 1985-86 with both now members of the Ardal North West.

Port beat Pwll 2-0 at Y Traeth on July 30 before the white and blacks got their revenge at The Rec this weekend through Ashley Ainsworth’s 78th minute decider.

Prior to this term, the last competitive meeting between the clubs was in 2018-19, when Port won 3-0 at Pwll in the Welsh Cup, Jay Gibbs, Ifan Emlyn and Shaun Cavanagh with the goals.

Research reveals the last clash before that was also at The Rec in January 2000, Port winning 6-1 in the NWCFA Challenge Cup, Adrian Owen scoring four for the victors.

Grassroots North Wales is not aware of the scores between the teams back in 1985-86 in the Welsh Alliance.

For the past 38 years, Port had always operated at a higher level than Pwllheli – until this season.

It is great to have the Llŷn derby back on the fixture list. However, the teams likely will be separated once more if Port win promotion this season.