PORTHMADOG manager Craig Papirnyk said he was pleased with another good work-out in their entertaining 4-3 pre-season defeat to Oswestry Town on the 3G surface at Park Hall last weekend.

A lively performance produced goals from Asa Hamilton, Josh Davies and Dan Roberts, and despite the defeat there were many positives for him to take.

“Sometimes games like this just unfold and tactics go out the window,” Papirnyk said. “I was pleased the lads got a really good workout, and we will learn from certain things as individuals and as a team.

"We will now move on to training and prepare, before welcoming Aberystwyth Town this weekend.”

Oswestry started brightly, moving the ball across the field, with pace to threaten out wide, and when Ceri James brought down a player in the area, the hosts slotted home from the spot.

Porthmadog began to settle, moving the ball well and playing some good stuff.

From a long Richard Harvey kick, they countered and Cai Jones linked up well with Asa Hamilton, who ran through and finished neatly with a left footed volley from just inside the penalty box.

The game was open at this point, and both teams were working hard box to box.

Oswestry again took the lead with a neat break down the right, and a tap in from the six yards out, but Porthmadog responded well to create more good chances.

Cai Jones missed a header from a superb Gruff John cross, and Jamie McDaidwent close, putting one over and one wide of the target.

When Rob Murfet - playing well in his first appearance for the club - was brought down in the box, Hamilton stepped up to take the penalty, but the keeper saved really well.

Porth continued to apply the pressure and when Hamilton was sent through by McDaid, he coolly played the ball across the goal for Josh Davies to fire home.

The second half saw changes to both sides, but it remained a very open match.

Oswestry took the lead again, but a when a good set-piece was met by Dan Roberts, he headed home his first goal in a Porthmadog shirt.

There were chances at either end, but Oswestry’s winner came in a rather bizare fashion from a corner, just as two substitutions were being made by the visitors.

The Porthmadog boss admitted the deciding goal was something of a strange one.

“The game was stopped for our two substitutions, while Oswestry had a corner,” he said. “As the subs were coming off, one came on while the other was waiting his turn. The corner kick was then taken while we were stopped, and they scored!

“It was a strange decision to allow the goal, but to the referee’s credit, he apologised at the end of the game.

“But the goal didn’t take anything away from a good competitive game, and full credit to Oswestry, they worked us hard, and we will benefit from the game too.

“I would like to wish Oswestry well, and thank them for the game, and we’ll move on to the next match.”