JD WELSH CUP REPORT 2: New man Liam Morris’ late double puts Porthmadog in last 16

JD WELSH CUP ROUND THREE – November 22, 2025

Porthmadog 3 (C Jones 32, L Morris 83, 90+6)
Port Talbot 2 (Edwards 16, M Morris 50)

Liam Morris arrived at Porthmadog this week with a reputation for being a scorer of important goals – and boy did he live up to that on his club debut.

Morris, who transferred to the Traeth from CPD Dinas Bangor City 1876 on Wednesday, scored twice late on – including a 96th minute winner – after coming on as a first half substitute in Saturday’s Welsh Cup third round victory over Port Talbot.

Porthmadog advanced to the last 16 of the national knockout for the second time in three seasons, but it was quite a struggle against Tier 4 Port Talbot of the South Wales Premier League Premier Division.

Chris Jones’ Tier 3 side will now have an eye on emulating the Traeth team of 2013-14 who made it to the Welsh Cup quarter-finals.

Porthmadog and Port Talbot had last met when both campaigned in the Welsh Premier League in 2009-10. Both clubs have slipped down the pyramid since then, but by the same token are equally showing signs of a revival in more recent times.

Match action: Treflyn Jones

On Saturday the faithful at Y Traeth witnessed a battle of the Ports, and, at the end of a five-goal thriller, it was Porthmadog who took the spoils albeit by the skin of their teeth against a talented and tireless Port Talbot.

Porthmadog twice came back from behind and the game will be fondly remembered by debutant Liam Morris who expertly guided home two late goals to thrillingly send Port into the last 16 of the JD Welsh Cup.

Early on an inswinging corner by Porthmadog’s Danny Brookwell was headed over the bar by Jake Jones but it was the South Walians who drew first blood on the quarter hour mark when a header from a corner on the left was relayed to Jordan Edwards who calmly nodded into the corner of the net to put Talbot in front to the delight of their travelling sombrero-clad supporters.

In an even spell, Porthmadog’s Sam Reynolds put a free header over Talbots bar when well-placed from a free kick by Shaun Cavanagh. Then, the creative Cavanagh fluffed his lines somewhat when he put in a rather tame shot straight into the arms of Christopher Curtis from the edge of the box.

On the half hour, however, the Traeth men drew level. A clever pass into the box by Brookwell was well controlled by Cai Jones who tapped the ball over the onrushing keeper to make matters all square at the break.

The second half started badly for the North Walians. After only five minutes Michael Morris’ firm volley from 20 yards seemed to be well-covered by Port custodian Josh Cooke but somehow, due to the sheer power of the shot, it cannoned off his left glove into the net.

Fortunately, the home side did not panic but several good moves came to nothing as Port Talbot, on countless occasions, masterfully sprang the off-side trap.

Despite being 2-1 down, it was still anybodysgame as both teams took their turn to attack, and Port Talbot continued to menace the home defence with their dangerous set-pieces while Porthmadog kept their patience in the face of some disappointing theatrics at times by the visitors.

Finally, on 82 minutes, Porthmadog drew level. After great work by Brookwell, his pass to Liam Morris was calmly controlled before he beat his marker and slotted home beautifully all along the deck.

On 90 minutes, Port Talbot sent in a free kick from a central position which was well gathered by Cooke from underneath his bar.

Two minutes later Port Talbot`s keeper dropped a high cross and was very fortunate to retrieve the situation with Rhys Alun breathing down his neck.

With the clock displaying 96 minutes and penalties looming, the home side snatched a great winner. Port counter-attacked with pace and Rhys Alun did ever so well to bide his time before releasing Morris, who expertly placed another left-footer beyond Curtis to send Porthmadog into DreamLand and the fourth round of the Welsh Cup.

• Porthmadog reached the Welsh Cup quarter finals in 2013-14. Their record since then in the competition is below:
  2013-14 QF
  2014-15 R1
  2015-16 R2
  2016-17 R3
  2017-18 R4 (Last 16)
  2018-19 R3
  2019-20 R3
  2021-22 R2
  2022-23 R1
  2023-24 R4
  2024-25 R2