GOALS from Joe Chaplin and Cai Jones early on in the second half confirmed Porthmadog as 2-0 winners over Cymru Alliance League Cup holders Caernarfon Town at a wind-swept and rain-drenched Traeth ground.

Caernarfon have lifted the trophy three times in the last four seasons, and arrived as the league’s second-from-top title contenders, having had a 3-2 win over Porthmadog in August.

The hosts had to survive an attempted overhead kick by Jamie Breeze that flew wide, and home keeper Richard Harvey then had to come off his line to block Chris Williams’ shot and followed up by saving from Breeze.

The best of the rest in the first half was produced by the home team, and Sion Buckley offered the first real threat by powering a left-angled low drive to test Town’s Alex Ramsey.

Ifan Emlyn then directed a free-kick from 20 yards out to the left, where Cai Jones cut inside, but the keeper got down to save at the post, before in a breakaway, Bradley supplied Chaplin, who dragged a 15-yarder wide.

Porthmadog had a couple of other near-misses just before and just after the interval, with Tomos Emlyn chipping marginally over, after a Bradley-Cai Jones move, and Gareth Jones-Evans slamming an 18-yarder wide.

Having been in the ascendency for so long, Porthmadog were due their rewards and they began with Chaplin’s breakthrough goal on 52 minutes, after he darted inside from the right to beat keeper Ramsey with a low-angled shot in off the far post.

Porthmadog’s delight was then doubled on 54 minutes by Cai Jones’s goal, by means of a crisp 12-yard shot from within a crowded penalty box, after he had turned his marker.

Caernarfon launched strenuous efforts in the time remaining and had their chances through Chris Williams twice, Clive Williams and Danny Foster, but Porthmadog held firm.

Tom Taylor was the main inspiration in the heart of the back division, with good support from Dan Roberts, Tomos Emlyn and Josh Banks, with goalkeeper Harvey also on top.

PORTHMADOG: R Harvey, T Emlyn, J Banks, D Roberts, T Taylor, G Jones Evans (J Jones 86 minutes), I Price, I Emlyn, C Jones, J Chaplin ( M Williams 90’). Unused Subs: C James, S Bratt, L Doran.

CAERNARFON: A Ramsey, J Williams, C Williams, R Roberts, G Edwards, K Roberts (A Davies Thomas 79’), C Williams, R Williams, J Breese (J Gibbs 54’), D Brookwell, N Craig. Unused subs: T Williams, L Jones. Attendance: 259.

• PORTHMADOG Under 18s remain at the top of the Vale of Clwyd Youth League after a 2-1 win at Llanfairpwll.

After falling behnd to a headed goal from a corner, Cai Henshaw fired home a well-struck equaliser into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Despite playing some neat football, their winning breakthrough did not come until the 78th minute when Arwyn Jones scored with a free kick.