PORTHMADOG marched on in the JD Welsh Cup as they put four goals without reply past Cymru Alliance rivals Caersws in a sparkling first round performance.

After an evenly contested first half at the Traeth, where Julian Williams’ superb 36th minute strike was all that separated the teams, Craig Papirnyk’s home team dominated the second period exchanges.

A quick second goal from Gareth Jones-Evans within two minutes of the restart was just what was wanted, and two more goals late on from Chris Jones and Joe Williams sealed a very satisfying win.

First half chances saw Gareth Jones-Evans send Caersws keeper Luke Evans scrambling back towards his goal to palm away a dangerous effort from 25 yards.

Jones-Evans also burst down the right but lifted his shot over the bar, whilst at the other end home keeper Tyler French twice saved sharp shots from the Cymru Alliance’s leading scorer Sean Evans.

The hosts looked strong in midfield with Ceri James in a holding role, and Tom Clarke providing some quality passes. Chris Jones put Jamie McDaid through after 28 minutes, but visiting keeper Evans was quickly off his line to block the shot.

The visitors responded with Will Thomas almost getting on the end of defender Luke K Evans’ excellent ball into the box. Evans then forced French into a good save low at the foot of the post, but with 36 minutes gone, a goal finally arrived.

Williams received the ball in space 35 yards out, looked up and struck a superb shot that dipped into the corner of the net.

Porth started the second half strongly and eight minutes in Chris Jones won the ball well in the Caersws half and sent an excellent low cross to the far post, where Gareth Jones Evans raced in to score.

Caersws pushed forward, but this gave Porth the opportunity to hit on the break. Jamie McDaid burst through and fired jusy wide, and Chris Jones, now running the midfield, fired over from 20 yards.

Caersws still sensed there was a chance to get back as Lance Jones tested French with a low shot, and Hartrick, at the back post, met a dangerous cross from Jack Hughes, but fired into the side-netting.

With 10 minutes to go, however, Porthmadog sealed victory as Chris Jones broke to the edge of the box and held off two defenders to score with an emphatic finish.

Then, with four minutes remaining, Joe Williams added a fourth goal, by firing just inside the post, having received the ball on the edge of the box from McDaid.

PORTHMADOG: T French, G Williams, J Banks, C James, S Bratt, I Price, T Clarke (Y Gwynedd 55), C Jones, J McDaid, J Williams (C Jones 75), G Jones Evans (J Williams 65). Unused subs: P Lewis, C Papirnyk.

CAERSWS: L Evans, L K Evans, J Hughes (P Jones 86), P Grant, T Richards, I Lewis, E Jones, L Jones (C Harris 67), W Thomas, J Hartrick (R Thomas 75), S Evans. Unused sub: G Evans. Referee: Aaron Wyn Jones. Attendance: 136.