Baum at the double as Porthmadog sink Ruthin.

IT wasn’t easy, but Port secured a deserved victory against a competitive Ruthin Town side on a wet afternoon at Y Traeth on Saturday, writes Treflyn Jones.

The opening minutes were quiet and uneventful, though after 10 minutes Rhys Alun headed over the bar from a deep cross by Osian Ellis.

The crowd then had to wait until the 25th minute for Ruthin Town to register a meaningful effort on target, when Ethan Davies scraped the crossbar with a 25-yard strike.

A little later, a good effort from Osian Ellis was superbly saved to his left by Ruthin Town keeper Ryan Goldston, and from the resulting corner Port managed to score the first goal of the afternoon.

Ellis was involved again, his corner from the right finding the head of captain Cai Jones, whose powerful header found the net with a little help from the underside of the bar. Port ahead, 1–0.

The remainder of the half was a bit of a battle in midfield, though Port looked the more dangerous side, with Luke Baum, Osian Ellis and Rhys Alun making several purposeful and threatening runs. The score remained 1–0 to Port at the break.

Half-chances came for both sides early in the second half, and Port doubled their lead on the hour mark.

Morgan Owen was on the receiving end of a heavy challenge, but referee Aled Rhys Williams decided to play the advantage. Port worked the ball well to release Luke Baum inside the box and, despite the tight angle, he fired into the corner of the net to spark joyful celebrations behind the goal.

Moments later he was unlucky not to score again, his close-range effort bravely saved by Goldston.

But just two minutes later, he got his reward. It must be said that Tom Mahoney had an excellent game, and after a strong run down the left he released Baum with a superb pass behind the defence.

Baum raced towards Goldston, danced past the keeper, and rolled the ball into the empty net to make it 3–0, leaving Ruthin Town with a mountain to climb.

The visitors constructed several promising moves, but Port’s defence was solid and Robbie Williams didn’t have to make a genuine save all afternoon, though he did have to stay alert to deal with a few dangerous crosses.

So, Port took the win — three goals and three points. No complaints. Congratulations to the whole team.

Next Saturday, Chris Jones’ side travel for the second time this season to Penrhyncoch for their first tie in the Welsh Cup with a 2pm kick off.