PORTHMADOG followed up a 10-0 trouncing of FC Penley in the Welsh Cup’s second round by amassing another big 7-2 win against South Wales visitors Panteg, who actually scored first.

In the end, however, the Traeth team’s superior talent and commitment prevailed, with four goals for Joe Chaplin, two from Julian Williams and one late on from Gareth Jones-Evans.

Such was the dominance of Craig Papirnyk’s team that several more goals could have been achieved, whereas home keeper Richard Harvey - apart from being beaten twice - had only one serious save to make.

Panteg, who are based in Griffithstown, near Pontypool, and play in the Welsh League (South) third division, had indicated initially that they did not intend to be push-overs when taking the lead on six minutes.

Porthmadog were caught unawares by a speedy attack along their opponents’ right wing, and a cross over to the left saw Lewis Isles despatch a quality 15-yarder past Harvey into the net.

The equaliser arrived five minutes later, from Chaplin, who applied a tap-in from a few yards to profit from Sion Bradley’s low ball from the left to the back post.

Chaplin then tucked away a penalty on 20 minutes, after Julian Williams had been fouled, with the spot kick being fired straight down the middle, as keeper Mark Randall dived to one side.

With 26 minutes played, Chaplin struck again for his hat-trick, achieved in just 11 minutes, when he steered in a firm header from six yards out, following Josh Banks’s deep centre from the left.

It was Julian Williams’ turn to notch the fourth goal on 42 minutes, when Chaplin provided an astute back-header that caught the Panteg keeper stranded off his line, and Williams’ finish went into the empty net.

Panteg had another brief moment in the sun on 59 minutes, when the lively Isles scored again, powering another strong shot from 15 yards past keeper Harvey and inside the far post, after cutting inside from a dash on the left - and that trimmed the arrears to 4-2.

Immediately after that, though, Porthmadog resumed service-as-usual, taking over total control, and the additional goals flowed from Chaplin, again with a header on 60 minutes, Williams with an eight yards’ shot on 77 and Jones Evans finally from 10 yards on 87.

In other situations, Porthmadog had been denied by a goal-line clearance, Iddon Price saw an effort diverted on to a post, and there were several other miscues by home players, plus fine saves by the busy Randall.

Porth were even able to coast through unhindered when down to just 10 players for the last 10 minutes, having lost central defender Tom Taylor injured, with three subs already used.

Papirnyk’s team will visit Connah’s Quay in the fourth round in the New Year, which will be a very tough tie, with the Deeside club are currently fourth in the Welsh Premoier table, having represented the League in European competitions during the past two seasons.

Last season, under experienced manager Andy Morrison, they finished as runners-up to The New Saints.

The two clubs have played each other many times in the past at both WPL and HGA level, but their paths have not crossed in competitive natches in recent times.

PORTHMADOG: R Harvey, T Emlyn, J Banks, D Roberts, T Taylor, I Emlyn, I Price, R Evans (C Jones 70), S Bradley, J Chaplin (G Jones Evans 64), J Williams (M Williams 78). Subs not used: I Lewis, L Doran.

PANTEG: M Randall, K Hicks, C Dunne (D Hunt 50), R Williams, C Hodges (B Peterson 84), M Passmore, L Iles, B Walker (A Probert 67), B Baker, J Ryan, L Dyke. Unused substitutes: E Jones, S Burchill.