PORTHMADOG registered a solid 3-0 win in their keenly-anticipated Llyn and Eifionydd derby showdown at Pwllheli, as goals from Jay Gibbs, Ifan Emlyn and Shaun Cavanagh secured their place in their second round of the JD Welsh Cup.

In front of a packed Leisure Centre Bank, with an estimated 650-plus gate, it was far from being a thrill-a-minute spectacle for the large crowd, but one which Port dominated and got the job done, despite a few nervy second half moments.

Two goals up at the interval, Port looked comfortable, but the failure to add a third goal until very late on meant that a Pwllheli goal always remained in contention.

“What a great day, and we are pleased to be through to the next round,” said Porthmadog manager Craig Papirnyk.

“It was a great first half performance, but we failed to capitalise in the second half, and full credit to Pwllheli, who put in a great effort to get back in the game.

“It was also a great attendance, which made the occasion all the more special.”

Sion Edwards had a lively start for the visitors and his cross to the back post produced an early threat, but Rob Evans had his header blocked by the home defence.

Any early Port nerves were steadied after 16 minutes, however, when Jay Gibbs put them ahead. Returning after injury, the midfielder picked up in space some 25 yards out, and his perfectly placed low shot found the corner of the home net.

Pwllheli’s best response was a good run from Jake Jones, bursting into the box, but he failed to match it with a quality finish.

Midway through the half, however, Sion Edwards cut in from the right, striking a beauty with his trusty left foot, but keeper Gethin Roberts pulled off a brilliant save.

The home keeper was in action again immediately after that when keeping out Josh Banks’ decent goalbound header.

Port keeper Paul Pritchard made his first save to keep out Jamie Banks’ angled shot, but at the other end Rob Evans was unlucky to see his lob strike the crossbar.

A minute before the interval, however, Porthmadog gained the safety net of their second goal. Ifan Emlyn broke on the left of the penalty box, and his low shot took a deflection on its way into the net for 2-0.

The home side came out strongly in the second period and Jamie Banks fired an early effort over the bar from 18 yards.

A free kick from Ifan Gwylim was also well saved by Pritchard, who also kept out a header from Martyn Smith and made a double save to keep out former Porthmadog regular Gareth Jones Evans.

Port sub Shaun Cavanagh was slipped through, but Gethin Roberts was quickly off his line to save, whilst at the other end Jake Jones burst in on goal, but keeper Pritchard got a partial block and Iddon Price recovered to complete the clearance.

Port pushed forward and efforts from Tomos Emlyn and Gruff John went close, before they got a third goal in the 89th minute. In a tussle between Cavanagh and keeper Roberts the ball bounced free, and Cavanagh pounced to steer home.

Substitute Cavanagh could have scored again when Ifan Emlyn put him through, but the keeper was off his line to avert the danger and an exciting tie ended 3-0.

PORTHMADOG: P Pritchard, G Williams, C James, I Price, J Banks, I Lewis, J Gibbs (S Parry 85 minutes), I Emlyn, D Davies (S Cavanagh 69), S Edwards, R Evans (T Emlyn 79’). Unused subs: R Taylor, D Dascalu.

PWLLHELI: G Roberts, T Ogilvy, M Williams, M Smith, G Williams, G Jones Evans, J Jones, T Jones, C Jones, M Jones, J Banks. Subs: I Gwilym, C Huws, D Pritchard, M Williams, L Baltovic. Referee: C Foster. Attendance: 670.