Porthmadog beaten 1-0 by Brickfield Rangers, despite strong start

WITH wind and heavy rain making for extremely difficult conditions for football, and following a minute’s silence in memory of one of CPD Porthmadog’s great friends, Now John, the game started quietly between two teams battling at the top of the table.

Port’s first chance came after seven minutes following excellent work from Sion Williams to create an opening after winning possession. As a result, Rhys Alun delivered a dangerous cross into the penalty area and, when the ball was only partially cleared to Cai Jones on the edge of the box, his effort drifted narrowly wide of the post.

Port made the stronger start, winning several corners in the minutes that followed, with half-chances falling to Sam Thomas and Cai Griffith, but without causing too many problems for the goalkeeper.

Another opportunity arrived following a powerful run by Osian Ellis before passing to Sion Williams who picked out the far post with an excellent cross, but there was nobody there to apply the finishing touch.

It took 20 minutes for the visitors to create even a half-chance. It came from a hopeful ball forward that should have been comfortably gathered by the Port goalkeeper, but it almost turned into a moment of comedy when the ball slipped beyond him. Fortunately for the home side, the defence recovered in time to clear the danger before any Brickfield attackers could capitalise.

Conditions were dictating play, with clear-cut opportunities at a premium.

The game received a spark from the visitors’ bench when they strongly disagreed with the officials' decision to show one of their defenders a yellow card. Despite the slippery surface, it was a late and clumsy challenge from behind. The assistant referee was next in line to hear the complaints after Morgan Owen was crudely brought down by a defender.

From the resulting free-kick, Port came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock when Rhys Alun’s effort struck the post.

With less than ten minutes remaining before half-time, Brickfield took the lead, somewhat against the run of play. Robbie Williams made a good save from the initial effort, but Lewis Wynne reacted quickest to force home the rebound from close range. The visitors were ahead.

The only other notable incident before the interval was another free kick from Rhys Alun which went straight into the goalkeeper's hands.

The second half followed a very similar pattern, with Port once again starting strongly. An excellent delivery from Osian Ellis on the right came within inches of finding Gwion Dafydd as he slid in at the far post. So close to drawing level.

Credit must also go to Brickfield striker Andrew Vale, who proved a constant thorn in Port’s side throughout the afternoon and played a vital role in his team’s counter-attacking threat. He almost secured all three points late on, only to be denied by a good save from the home goalkeeper.

As the closing stages approached and Brickfield attempted to protect their advantage, Port were doing most of the pressing. However, the home side failed to create enough clear opportunities to place Carl Jones under sustained pressure in goal.

The match finished with Brickfield emerging 1-0 winners. Port must now turn their attention to next Saturday’s away fixture at Guilsfield as they look to get their season back on track.