FLASHBACK – 20 YEARS AGO: Sadler scores on debut as Porthmadog lose narrowly at Caersws

VAUXHALL MASTERFIT WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE – FEBRUARY 18, 2006

Caersws 2 (Venables 13, Grist 52)
Porthmadog 1 (Jason Sadler 71)

Report: Gareth Williams – www.porthmadogfc.com

Pictures: Dorothy Williams

Disappointment for Porthmadog on this date 20 years ago as a mid-table clash on a difficult surface at Caersws ended in defeat.

Port  started well and within the first 10 minutes had forced three corners, Danny Hughes drawing a save from Andy Mulliner and Gareth Parry heading wide.

Caersws were hardly out of their own half during this time but when they did break out after 13 minutes the move proved decisive.

Mark Williams’ cross from the right was parried by Richard Harvey but Chris Venables was free at the far post to tap in from close range.

Even after this it was Porthmadog who still enjoyed the best of the possession. Paul Friel fired wide after a good exchange of passes with Carl Owen, but the best Port chances came close to the interval.

First, Danny Hughes created a good opening for Les Davies but the shot went across the face of the goal. Carl Owen’s strike, after being played in by John Gwynfor, curled narrowly wide of the upright.

HALF-TIME: Caersws 1 Porthmadog 0

Eight minutes into the second half Caersws went further ahead when Ross Stephens broke from midfield and split the visitors defence wide open. Lloyd Grist fastened on to the well directed pass and drove low past Harvey from 15 yards.

Two further Stephens efforts almost brought a third for the Bluebirds.

Porthmadog struggled to get back into the game, their passing generally lacking the accuracy to free Owen and Jason Sadler.

The most likely source for the visitors always seemed to be a free kick from Mike Foster and this turned out to be the case.

Lee Webber’s downward header from one of these after 71 minutes found Sadler in space in the box and the newcomer took advantage and notched his first goal for Porthmadog.

Any hope that this would lift Port and get them back on level terms proved to be false.

The experienced Colin Reynolds marshalled the home defence well and Mulliner was not called upon to make another serious save.

This was a performance best forgotten by Porthmadog in a game that was important for their challenge for a place in the following season’s Premier Cup.

PORTHMADOG

Richard Harvey, John G Jones, Lee Webber, Rhys Roberts, Mike Foster: Danny Hughes, Gareth Parry (Iwan Thomas 59), Paul Friel, Les Davies: Carl Owen, Jason Sadler.
Subs not used: Geraint Mitchell, Ywain Gwynedd.

Attendance: 255