MANAGER Gari Lewis took heart from Penrhyncoch’s second half efforts, despite launching their new Huws Gray Cymru Alliance campaign with a 2-0 home defeat to Porthmadog at Cae Baker.

A Sion James own goal, followed by a Julian Williams header in the space of three minutes late in the first half ultimately earned Porthmadog the spoils.

Lewis took positives from the way his side responded in the second 45 minutes as they strived to get back into the game.

“Porthmadog are a very good side, they deserved to be ahead at half time, but I was really proud of our boys for their performance in the second half,” he said.

“At half-time we told them to believe in themselves, and be more aggressive, and we gave it a really good go. Had we got one back, then it may have been different.“It was disappointing to concede two goals from set-pieces as I thought we defended them well for much of the game.

“But with us having one of our friendlies cancelled in the pre-season, and with a few of the boys being away, we are looking a bit under-cooked at the moment.

“We will work hard in training on Tuesday night, before we go again at Holywell on Saturday. It’s another tough game, but they are all tough games in this league.”

Porthmadog meant business, and the first action of the match saw a Jay Gibbs free kick after 4 minutes just pass the post, after Ifan Emlyn had been fouled.

The busy little midfielder saw a 35 yard effort fly just past the post, and on 16 minutes Gruff John Williams, back and in fine form after an injury ravaged season, had two attempts, one hitting the post.

From a Sion Edwards corner the same player’s header flew just past the post.

Despite the pressure and goalkeeper Paul Pritchard being an interested spectator for most of the half, it was not until 30 minutes that the breakthrough came and it actually came courtesy of an own goal.

From a Sion Edwards corner, one of several won in the first half, the unfortunate Sion James turned the ball into his net.

Within three minutes it was 2-0 when Julian Williams headed a pin-point Ceri James centre into the back of the net.

Porthmdog were now well on top, but despite creating numerous chances, with a Julian Williams effort being tipped over the bar and a Josh Banks header from a Sion Edwards cross hitting the upright, it remained 0-2 at the half time interval.

The visitors started the second half very much with the same urgency as the first.

Sion Edwards was fouled by a defender, who earned himself a yellow card, and from the resulting 20 yard free kick Jay Gibbs managed only to scrape the bar.

On 64 minutes a fine one-two between Iwan Lewis and Joe Chaplin resulted in the latter’s effort going just wide of goal.

With 20 minutes left, Penrhyn saw more of the ball and they started to create chances for the first time in the match. Keeper Paul Pritchard was called upon to pull off excellent saves to deny substitute Cledan Davies and Jonathan Evans.

The visitors had the last chance of the match on 87 minutes when the impressive Shaun Cavanagh, on for Joe Chaplin, hit a pile-driver that skimmed the bar.

Although disappointed with the result, Penrhyn boss Lewis was happy with what he saw in the second half, and praised the performance of young debutant Tom Evans - a new addition from Aberystwyth Town - on the right side of midfield.

There were also plenty of positives off the pitch, with some terrific support at Cae Baker from locals and from sponsors.

After visiting Holywell Town on Saturday, the Roosters host Guilsfield the following Tuesday. Owain James has three more games of his suspension to serve, while Steff Davies (knee cartilage) and Matt Mousley (broken foot) are sidelined.

Meanwhile, Penrhyncoch’s scheduled encounter at Rhyl has been brought forward a day to Friday, 24 August (7.45pm) so not to clash with the Rhyl Air Show.

Last week’s Huws Gray Cymru Alliance results: Bangor City 5 Buckley Town 1; Conwy Borough 1 Guilsfield 2; Flint Town United 5 Holyhead Hotspur 0 Porthmadog 2; Prestatyn Town 0 Airbus Broughton 2; Denbigh Town 1 Gresford Athletic 3; Holywell 0 Ruthin Town 3.

PENRHYNCOCH: O Fairbrother, L James, J Foligno, S James (C Davies 46 minutes), C Williams (L Doherty 70), R Murfet, C Jones, T Evans, J Shaw, L Sherbon, J Evans (I Brooks 80). Subs not used: R Davies, E Evans.

PORTHMADOG: P Pritchard, G John Williams, J Banks, C James, J Gibbs, I Emlyn (D Dascalu 80’), I Lewis, I Price, Joe Chaplin (Shaun Cavanagh 65’), J Williams, S Edwards (R Evans 70’). Subs not used: R Taylor.

Referee : James Walker. Attendance:135.