FLASHBACK – 10 years ago: Breese double wins game for Caernarfon Town at Y Traeth

Huws Gray Alliance – October 6, 2015

CPD Porthmadog 1 (Edwards 33)
Caernarfon Town 2 (Breese 73, 87)

Report: Gareth Williams

Ten years ago this week Porthmadog hosted Caernarfon Town in a Huws Gray Alliance fixture.

On a night of torrential rain at Y Traeth, both sides provided high entertainment and some quality football.

It was that old cliché, the game of two halves, with Port on top in the opening 45 minutes and deserving to go in ahead at half-time.

But in the second period Caernarfon stepped up the tempo, forcing Port to defend for lengthy periods and eventually completing their fightback with a late winner from Jamie Breese, his second goal of the game

The match was not short of excitement or controversy either, with Richard Harvey pulling off a great spot kick save with his team one-up and the flashpoint coming near the end when Cai Jones netted for Port but only after a lengthy discussion the referee upheld the linesman’s offside decision.

Port started well and it needed a good defensive block when Iwan Lewis unleashed a powerful shot. Leon Newell was next to threaten but a slight deflection took his shot narrowly wide.

A Nathan Craig free kick provided an outlet for Caernarfon but Gareth Edwards ballooned his shot over the bar and when Breese broke on the left keeper Harvey went down well to cut out the cross.

Port were now increasing their grip on the game and in the 33rd minute took the lead when via a free kick wide on the right. Eilir Edwards’ well struck shot sailed over Paul Pritchard into the far corner of the net.

Newell and Edwards went close for the hosts before Harvey did well to keep out Rob Jones’ 25-yarder.

Half-time: 1-0 to Port

For the second half Caernarfon introduced Jay Gibbs and this proved to be a significant tactical change.

Now the visitors from the off stretched the play using the width of the pitch and increased the tempo.

Port were being forced to defend and the balance of power was shifting.

It needed a big tackle from Josh Banks to stop Breese who was through on goal and Rob Jones was not far off target from distance.

A Port break out could have had a better result when a fine through ball from Gwydion Ifan put in Newell who fired wide when well placed. This from Port provided only a brief relief from Cofi pressure. Following a break on the right, Harvey needed two attempts to keep out Gibbs.

On 70 minutes it seemed as though the goal had come for Caernarfon, when a foul by Eilir Edwards was punished with a penalty. But Harvey had other ideas, saving Craig’s shot superbly.

Despite this, the equaliser came in the 73rd minute when following a short corner from the left Breese met Craig’s cross and his header looped over Harvey to level the scores.

Further Caernarfon pressure ensued, but their second goal did not come until three minutes from the end.

It was a counter attack following a Port corner with Gibbs breaking well down the left and crossing perfectly for Breese to net at the far post.

Port stormed back, forcing a 90th minute corner with Cai Jones finding the net from close range after the ball seemingly came to him off a Caernarfon defender. The referee only disallowed the goal following lengthy discussions with the linesman, giving Caernarfon the victory in a tense finale.

PORTHMADOG: Richard Harvey, Gwydion Ifan (Jack Davies), Josh Banks, Gruff J Williams, Iddon Price, Iwan Lewis, Stuart Rogers, Eilir Edwards, Cai Jones, Leon Newell, Julian Williams. Unused Subs: Iolo Hughes, Sion Parry, Rob Owen, Craig Papirnyk.

CAERNARFON: Paul Pritchard, Joe Williams, Nathan Craig, Clive Williams, Gareth Edwards, Kevin Roberts (Jay Gibbs 46), Gareth Jones-Evans, Rob Jones, Jamie Breeze (Carl Owen 89), Ellis Healing (Dan Brookwell), Jamie McDaid. Unused subs: Gareth Parry, Grahame Austin.

How did the 2015-16 season end?

Caernarfon Town were crowned Tier 2 Huws Gray Alliance champions, while Porthmadog finished up in 10th spot.