Porthmadog edge Welsh Cup replay on penalties after being all but beaten in abandoned first game

WELSH CUP ROUND ONE

Porthmadog 2 Denbigh Town 2 (Porthmadog won 11-10 on penalties)

Porthmadog made the most of their ‘second life’ in this season’s JD Welsh Cup when they beat Denbigh Town 11-10 in a penalty shootout tonight after the teams finished level at 2-2 when 90 minutes were completed.

It all came down to the goalkeepers in the end. With the score 10-10 on spot-kicks, Josh Cooke made it 11-10 to Port and then saved Elijah Beattie’s pen to send the hosts through.

Port were fortunate to still be in the cup after Saturday’s game at Y Traeth stood 4-1 to Denbigh before heavy rain caused an abandonment in the 55th minute.

Wednesday evening’s replay was much closer and in the end very dramatic.

With seven minutes of added time signalled and the score 1-1, Town looked to have won it when Gwion Dafydd netted to make it 2-1, yet seconds later Gruff John levelled the match once more at the other end.

Port now go into Thursday night’s second round (last 64 draw) which will be shown live on the FAW website’s RedWall+ channel.

The deadlock was not broken this evening until the third minute of added time at the end of the first half, Nathan Brown’s corner directly finding the net.

Port equalised on 52 minutes through Shaun Cavanagh and chances fell at both ends before those two goals were shared deep into stoppage time.

Scorers of Port’s penalties were: Cai Jones, Ryan Williams, Arden Gisbourne, Dan Atkins, Sam Reynolds, Gruff Ellis, Sion Williams, Gruff John, Zac Pike, Jack Rimmer and, finally, keeper Cooke.

Denbigh’s successful takers were: Nathan Brown, Harry Lockley, Alfie Vaughan, Gwion Dafydd, Daniel Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Luke Johnston, Keiron Roberts, Ben Lockley and Bradley Barnes before the unfortunate Beattie was denied.

The unlucky Beattie kept out four pens in the shootout, but the referee adjudged he had moved on each occasion and the retakes were converted.

Really bad luck on Denbigh to go out this way, but sometimes these things happen in football.