Flashback – 20 years ago: Porthmadog and Caersws share six goals in Welsh Premier draw

Welsh Premier League – October 8, 2005

CPD Porthmadog 3 (Foster 43 pen, Thomas 70, Davies 80)
Caersws 3 (Stephens 45, Venables 53, Thompson 84)

Report: Gareth Williams
Photos: Dorothy Williams

On this date 20 years ago Porthmadog and Caersws met in a Vauxhall Masterfit Welsh Premier League encounter

This rather untidy and often over-vigorous game where both sides needed all three points ended all- square. It was a match which could have gone either way

Two of the central figures this day went on to become Welsh Premier legends – Chris Venables of Caersws and Porthmadog’s Les Davies.

Venables struck the home side’s forward Davies late on and gave referee Mark Petch no option but to show the red card.

The home team started well and Davies tested keeper Andy Mulliner with a header.

Carl Owen ran on to debutant Neil Thomas’ fine through ball but from an angle hit the foot of the post.

Caersws came more into the game and Ross Stephens tested Richard Harvey with a low shot. Soon after the home keeper was again in action stopping a Mark Williams header.

A minute from the interval Les Davies broke on the right of the box and was brought down by defender Hugh Clarke. who had already received a yellow card.

The referee unhesitatingly pointed to the spot and this was the signal for a Caersws mass protest. In the confusion which followed referee Petch failed to dispatch Clarke from the field with an apparently inevitable second yellow card.

When things calmed down Mike Foster duly converted the penalty to give the home side a lead which lasted less than a minute for from the restart the dangerous Neville Thompson broke down the left and Stephens swept his low cross past Harvey to level the scores.

Port almost went back into the lead two minutes into the second period when Ritchie Owen’s header rattled the bar.

However, Caersws were to strike next as on 53 minutes. Venables broke into the box on the left and fired a fine low shot beyond Harvey to put the visitors ahead.

Harvey soon produced a good save to keep out Thompson.

In an effort to change the pattern of the game Port manager Viv Williams introduced subs Ywain Gwynedd and new signing Jason Harvey.

After 75 minutes the home side were back on level terms when the influential Neil Thomas picked up in midfield before firing a low 20 yard effort which Mulliner failed to keep out.

Port pushed forward for the three points and newcomer Harvey swung a second inswinging corner to the far post where it was headed back into the goalmouth and Les Davies did well to keep down an awkward ball and direct it past Mulliner for Port’s third and surely winning goal.

But no there followed the ‘Venables incident’ and then with five minutes left Thompson turned in Graham Jones’ far post cross to level the scores.

Port: Richard Harvey, Danny Hughes, Lee Webber, Rhys Roberts, Michael Foster, Tony Williams (Ywain Gwynedd), Ryan Davies, Neil Thomas, Ritchie Owen, Carl Owen (Matt Webber), Les Davies.

Caersws: Andy Mulliner, Thomas, Sean Jehu, Colin Reynolds, Hugh Clarke, Chris Venables, Graham Jones, Geraint Lewis, Mark Williams, Ross Stephens, Neville Thompson. Subs: Probert, Mitchell, Bermingham.