FLASHBACK – 10 years ago: Josh Davies penalty wins day for Porthmadog

Huws Gray Alliance – Saturday, 10 January 2015

CPD Porthmadog 2 (Cai Jones 44, Josh Davies 65 pen)
Llanidloes Town. 1 (Jamie Breese 54)

Report: http://www.porthmadogfc.com

On this date 10 years ago a penalty by Josh Davies after 65 minutes separated the two teams at the end of a game played in windy conditions at Y Traeth.

Port found it difficult to turn pressure into goals and though creating numerous chances, particularly in the second half, they failed to build on the interval lead which a Cai Jones cracker had provided.

With the visitors always looking dangerous on the break, the result remained in doubt to the end.

Port were first on the attack and in the first minute it needed a good save from keeper Aaron Warwick to turn a Dave Edwards effort for a corner.

A good run from Gwydion Ifan threatened to open up Llanidloes, but when Edwards crossed low there was no final touch.

After 22 minutes, the Daffs responded with a good run from Steve Jones which took him to the edge of the box and following a good exchange of passes Gwion ap Dafydd tested Richard Harvey with a shot from 16 yards.

This sparked Port into action and Gwydion Ifan met Josh Banks’ cross from the left with a looping header and though keeper Warwick gathered safely found himself bundled over the line by Edwards. Might have been a goal in 1950 but not today!

The Powys travellers continued to be a threat on the counter attack and Steve Jones fired over the bar following a good run by the dangerous Jamie Breese.

Then, with the first half looking like ending scoreless, Edwards played inside for Stuart Rogers who forced Warwick into a fine save at his near post.

A Rogers corner followed and Cai Jones met it in the centre of the box and volleyed superbly, high into the net. His 44th minute strike gave Port the lead at the interval.

Half-time: Porthmadog 1 Llanidloes 0

For the second period Port had the wind at their backs but it was Llanidloes who struck first.

A careless pass at the back was punished as Breese nipped in and netted with a low shot from 12 yards.

Port responded with some strong attacks and might have gone ahead again when Davies headed a Rogers delivery goalwards only for it to strike one of his own players on the line.

Pressure continued and Gwydion Ifan cut in from the right but his shot from the edge of the box went narrowly over the bar. Soon after it needed a good Warwick save to thwart Davies.

Warwick was now in the thick of the action, foiling Davies and Rob Evans.

Under mounting pressure Llanidloes conceded a penalty for a handling offence. Referee Martin Roberts’ decision was hotly disputed by visiting players who surrounded the official and keeper Warwick found himself yellow-carded.

The furore did not fluster Josh Davies who coolly converted from the spot for his 14th league goal of the season.

The penalty inspired a response from Llanidloes and Harvey performed marvels to keep out a good low shot from Breese.

On 77 minutes Port should have made the game safe when Evans played a great through ball for Davies, who probably fired too early with only the keeper top beat.

There was one more chance for the visitors when Steve Jones broke on the right but Matt Savage fired wide at the near post.

The game ended on a sour note with Steve Jones, who had been one of Llanidloes’s best performers, seeing red after retaliating to a hard tackle by Evans.

Though they were made to work hard for the victory, on the balance of play it was a well-deserved Port win, but failure to convert chances kept it an open contest to the end.

PORTHMADOG: Richard Harvey, Gwydion Ifan, Josh Banks, Ceri James (Dilan Lomas 46), Iddon Price, Gruff Williams, Rob Evans, Stuart Rogers (Josh Stadnicki 89), Cai Jones (Josh Hartrick 66), Josh Davies, Dave Edwards. Unused sub: Craig Papirnyk.

LLANIDLOES: Aaron Warwick, Luke Evans (Rhys Jones 79), Josh Evans, Alex Jones, Jack Bermingham, Steve Jones, Chris Wilkins, Gwion ap Dafydd, Jamie Breese, Aaron Pinches (Jordan Price 66), Matt Savage. Sub; Harri Clarke.

WHAT ELSE HAPPENED THAT SEASON?

• Porthmadog did the double over Llanidloes, also winning 5-0 at Victoria Park on September 6, 2014. Scorers: Cai Jones, Josh Stadnicki, Josh Davies, Dilan Lomas, Dave Edwards.
  
• Port finished up sixth in the Huws Gray Alliance in 2014-15, but Llanidloes were one of four clubs relegated at the end of the season.