Archive Classics: Sion Edwards stunner wins nine-goal thriller for Porthmadog (2017-18)

Having covered North Wales football for close on 40 years. I’ve attended and reported on hundreds if not thousands of games across the pyramid.

Here’s another in a series of classics from the archives

HUWS GRAY ALLIANCE 2017-18

Rhyl 4 (Webb 25, 28, Titchiner 41, Taylor OG 57)
Porthmadog 5 (Bradley 9, Chaplin 40, 59, 70, Edwards 80)
January 6, 2018

Sion Edwards’ brilliant but bizarre winner in the 80th minute settled a nine-goal thriller in Porthmadog’s favour early in 2018.
As well as Edwards. a major hero for Port was Joe Chaplin, who notched a hat-trick on his return from injury.
From the off play was end to end and after just two minutes Port keeper Richard Harvey needed to pull off a good save to deny Mark Connolly.
A minute later it looked as though lady luck was favoring Port, with referee Ashley Jones catching most by surprise by pointing to the spot for a challenge on Sion Bradley.
However, the visitors ended up disappointed as Rory Crowther made the correct decision diving to his right to save Julian Williams’ penalty.
The attacking nature of the game continued and with 9 minutes on the clock Williams redemed himself when his excellent flick over the defence allowed Bradley to burst to the edge of the box and beat the advancing Crowther with a top quality lob.
Midway through the half Rhyl grew more into the game and it was their dangerman Alun Webb who turned the game with two goals in the space of just three minutes.
The first was an excellent Rhyl move with Ben Collins splitting open the Port defence with a fine angled ball enabling Webb, racing in from the right, to finish from close range at the back post. Webb then sped down the right before cutting inside and firing low past Harvey to put Rhyl in front.
Play continued to be even and on 40 minutes Port drew level. The goal was set up by Gareth Jones Evans who received on the right of midfield before finding Chaplin on the ege of the box Chaplin held off two defenders, rouded the keeper and finished coolly.
The scores remained level for only a minute as Rhyl charged forward. This time Webb was the supplier and Alex Titchiner applied the finish from 8 yards.

Half-Time: Rhyl 3 Porthmadog 2

The second-half continued in much the same vein, but despite early Port attacks it was Rhyl who opened a two-goal advantage when, after 57 minutes, Jordan Barrow’s low cross was turned into his own net by Tom Taylor.
This event spurred Taylor into action and he burst upfield from deep in his own half before splitting the Rhyl defence wide open with a ball to Sion Edwards on the left.
Edwards quickly switched it inside for Chaplin who netted from 8 yards.
Play continued end to end but Port were looking the stronger as the game entered the final 20 minutes.
Chaplin’s persistence gained him his hat-trick goal when he put keeper Crowther under pressure and the keeper’s attempted clearance struck him.
Chaplin reacted quickly to take full advantage and score from close range – 4-4.
Port were level again but now had the scent of victory in their nostrils.
In the 80th minute, Sion Edwards received the ball some 40 yards out in space. He took a quick look up, spotted the keeper off his line and despite slipping onto his backside proceeded to lift an incredible lob over Crowther and into the back of the net.
Edwards’ first goal for the club left the travelling support in ecstacy.
Port held on and in the end deserved to take all three points.

PORTHMADOG: Richard Harvey, Tomos Emlyn, Sion Edwards, Iddon Price (Dan Roberts 45), Tom Taylor, Josh Banks, Gareth Jones Evans (Ifan Emlyn 72), Iwan Lewis, Julian Williams, Joe Chaplin (Rob Evans 85), Sion Bradley. Unused subs: Cai Jones, Meilir Williams.

RHYL: Rory Crowther, Tony Davies (Jason Jeffries 24), James Brewerton, Sam Downey (Tom Hartley 77), Ben Collins, Alex Titchiner, Jordan Barrow, Danny Holland, Mark Connolly, Alun Webb, Stewart Carroll. Subs: Luke Wilmott (gk), Aaron Pomeyie.

ALSO FEATURED SO FAR IN ARCHIVE CLASSICS……

• Bala Town 2 Differdange 03 1 (9.7.2015)
• Denbigh Town 1 Bangor 1876 0 (24.2.2023)
• Holywell Town 4 Penrhyndeudraeth 2 (19.4.2015)
• Rhyl 1 Wrexham 4 (12.5.2004)
• Rhyl 5 Goytre United 2 (4.3.2006)
• Prestatyn Town Reserves 2 Gwalchmai 1 (30.4.2010)
• Bethesda Athletic 3 Rhyl 2 (9.2.2008)
• Llanfairpwll 2 Prestatyn Town 3 (5.4.2008)