MATCH OF THE DAY: Porthmadog hit seven in cup semi-final rout

Lock Stock Ardal Northern League Cup Semi-Final – April 12

Porthmadog 7 (Rhys Alun 5 & 30, Danny Brookwell 12, Jake Jones 20, Tom Hilditch 33, Cai Jones 54, Jamie Jones 63)
Radnor Valley 1 (Ieuan Price 8)

Report: Mr Trevlyn Jones

A magnificent seven goals from Porthmadog sent them roaring into the Ardal Northern League Cup Final where a meeting with Brickfield Rangers awaits.

Prior to Saturday’s match at Y Traeth, a minute`s applause was impeccably observed by both sets of supporters in memory of Geraint `Siops` Jones who represented the home club with pride during its first and inaugural season of what was then known as the Konica League of Wales.

What a player he was and a gentleman on and off the pitch. Cwsg yn dawel, Geraint. Bu`n bleser dy weld yn chwarae dros Port a bu`n fraint dy adnabod.

If ever Port needed a confidence-building victory then this was certainly it as the hosts rather unexpectedly outclassed their mid-Wales opponents from start to finish.

Port were immediately on to the front foot and took the lead after only five minutes when a neat diagonal pass by Tom Hilditch arrived at the feet of Rhys Alun, who evaded his marker before firing low past Otto Jones in the Radnor goal.

Disappointingly for the hosts, Radnor drew level very soon after when Ryan Williams was dispossessed close to the goal by Ieuan Price before he joyfully tapped home past Ollie Farebrother to make it one-apiece.

Porthmadog fans did not need to worry though as the Traeth men went 2-1 up just a few minutes later. It all started from a great run and cross by full-back Jake Jones from the right flank. The cross seemed to evade everyone but Danny Brookwell picked up the pieces before hammering a left footer to Otto Jones` left into the corner of the net.

On 20 minutes, Port gave themselves something of a cushion when Brookwell swung in a deep cross which was headed onto the post by the busy Jake Jones before the ball cannoned into the goal off the back of the luckless Radnor custodian.

Rhys Alun put Port well and truly in the driving seat after half-an-hour. Another great run down the right flank by Brookwell was followed by an accurate cross. Caio Jones` thumping shot was then well blocked by Otto Jones but Rhys Alun was on hand to blast over the diving keeper into the roof of the net.

Port achieved a nap-hand on 33 minutes when a glorious pass by Brookwell found Hilditch free in the box and Port`s top-scorer made no mistake as he tapped the ball under the onrushing keeper.

Half time 5-1

Early in the second half, the hosts made it 6-1 with the assist made yet again by the determined Brookwell. His left foot cross from the right wing found Cai Jones unmarked as he headed beautifully past Jones.

On 65 minutes Jamie Jones, one of five Port substitutes, made it 7-1 following a bad fumble by Otto Jones. Jamie Jones gathered an unselfish assist by Shaun Cavanagh before firing into the roof of the net.