Porthmadog leave it late to see off Rhyl

ONE of today’s substitutes was Luke Baum, but this will be a day long remembered by the former Talysarn Celts youngster as he struck the winning goal at the end of a tight match against a well‑organised and disciplined Rhyl 1879 side, writes Treflyn Jones.

Port started on the front foot, creating three scoring chances within the opening seven minutes.

Morgan Owen went close after three minutes when his shot drifted just wide of the post.

Then Dylan Summers‑Jones almost scored with a header from an Owen cross.

The third chance fell to Osian Ellis, who unleashed a stunning long‑range effort that crashed against the bar with Riley in goal completely beaten.

After this, Rhyl grew more and more into the game, forcing Robbie Williams in the Port goal to be alert as he tipped a high Josh Jones cross over the bar, before a powerful Dan Cockerline header bounced kindly off the bar this time.

Port responded again as Summers‑Jones fired wide following good work from Sam Reynolds and Morgan Owen, before the same player deceived his marker and drove a strong effort into the side netting.

It was goalless at the interval after a fairly even half in terms of possession and territory. But it’s fair to say the better chances had fallen to Port.

Early in the second half came a timely warning for the Port defence as Joshua Jones’ header flew inches wide.

Port woke up immediately, and Ryan Williams forced an excellent save from Riley with a thunderous strike that was pushed just past the post.

The game remained evenly balanced in many ways, and Williams in the Port goal had to save very well from a low long‑range effort by Cockerline during a spell when Rhyl’s attacking pace was causing real concern for the Traeth back line.

With 82 minutes on the clock, substitute Luke Baum came close to opening the scoring, forcing Riley into a save with his legs after a tight‑angle shot following a good run.

But… no need to worry. Two minutes later, a superb pass from Ryan Williams found Baum again, and at the end of a confident run he beat the offside trap and drilled the ball past Riley into the net. A terrific goal, and the young supporters behind the goal erupted in celebration.

Rhyl produced a couple of dangerous attacks afterwards, but Port’s defence held firm to secure a memorable victory against a good side.

Next Saturday, Port travel to Buckley for their third match. Kick‑off is at 2:30 pm.

Porthmadog: Robbie Williams (goalkeeper), Morgan Owen, Josh Banks, Sam Thomas, Gruff Ellis, Sion Williams (Tom Mahoney 78’), Sam Reynolds (Steffan Alford 85’), Ryan Williams, Gwion Dafydd (Luke Baum 70’), Osian Ellis (Jack Humphreys 85’), Dylan Summers‑Jones (Rhys Alun 70’). Unused substitutes: Dan Clark (goalkeeper), Daniel Wood

Saturday’s results: Caersws 1Gresford Athletic 0; Denbigh Town 1 Bangor 1876 2; Guilsfield 3 Mold Alexandra 2; Holyhead Hotspur 1 Brickfield Rangers 2; Llanuwchllyn 2 Buckley Town 1; Newtown 5 Penrhyncoch 0; Porthmadog 1 Rhyl 1879 0

Fixtures: Friday, 14 August - Ruthin Town v Denbigh Town. Saturday, 15 August - Newtown v Guilsfield; Penrhyncoch v Bala; Buckley v Porthmadog; Bangor 1876 v Llanuwchllyn; Rhyl 1879 v Caersws; Mold v Holyhead; Gresford v Brickfield