YWAIN Gwynedd has decided to call it a day on a fine football career, but a new generation of players are offering Porthmadog manager Craig Papirnyk real cause for optimism.After a period out of the game, Gwynedd joined Porthmadog at the start of the season, and contributed with his great qualities of enthusiasm and leadership.“He was a pleasure to work with in his brief time with me. His character and personality was great for the squad," said manager Craig Papirnyk.“He’s a true leader on and off the pitch, and it’s a real shame that due to his hip injury he has had to retire.

“I was really pleased when he decided to give it a go for us this season, and I was excited to work with him.“Yws has had a good career, and I am thankful that I was given the opportunity to work with him during it.”Papirnyk, however, has shown his faith in the new class of players coming through, with Meilir Williams becoming the third former Porthmadog Academy player to be brought back to the club.

Since leaving the Academy, he has played for Blaenau Amateurs, Bala Town Under 19s and Penrhyndeudraeth.He has an excellent goal-scoring record, with 13 Welsh Alliance goals this term. In 50 appearances for Penrhyn he netted 64 goals.

Sion Bradley has also made a great start at Cymru Alliance level, with two assists at Buckley, being followed by the winning goal against Mold.

Meanwhile goalkeeper Tyler French came in from Penrhyndeudraeth to fill in for the injured Richard Harvey, but created an instant impression.He has produced some dominant performances for the Traeth club, including saving three penalties in the Welsh Cup shoot-out against Gresford Athletic.“I’m pleased to have secured the signature of Meilir Williams from Penrhyn, he is their top scorer in the Welsh Alliance and has scored at every level he has played in," said Papirnyk."The past few senior seasons for Blaenau and Penrhyn have really helped him develop into a quality player, who is now a confident, capable young man.

“Like Sion Bradley, I have admired Meilir for some while, and watched him as a youth player for Blaenau Ffestiniog through to senior level. He is a rare talent who knows where the goal is.

“At 20 years old he is fearless, and is relishing the opportunity to prove himself.”

He added: “Meilir is a local lad, and like Sion and Tyler, hails from Blaenau and has represented our Academy."I am looking forward to working with all three, and helping them to develop as players.”Meanwhile the Porthmadog boss has had to overcome the departure of Julian Williams, who has left to join Colwyn Bay, in the Evostik First Division North.

Williams has been an outstanding player for Porth since first joining on loan from Rhyl in August 2015.

He was the leading scorer in 2015/16, and led the way this season with 11 goals.

Papirnyk said: “I'd like to wish him all the very best of luck and thank him for everything he’s given us.

“He is a top lad and I was very supportive towards helping him make a decision. "I would never stop a player from moving to the next level, and he knows that the door will be open at Porthmadog should things not quite work out for him.”

Papirnyk also confirmed that forward Jamie McDaid has now left the club in search of regular football.

“Jamie has parted ways with the club, it has been a difficult period for him and he wants to play more football,” said the Porth boss.

“He has left Porthmadog on good terms and I wish him the best in the future.”

Papirnyk added: “For us, we carry on as normal, as we have an excellent squad and we need everyone pulling together."I have an open and honest relationship with all my players. They all understand that for me it’s about the squad, from one to 18, and not one to 11.

“We have witnessed how influential having strength in depth is, and no matter what the starting side I pick, we should always have options.”• PORTHMADOG, who are currently well-placed in fourth position in the HG Cymru Alliance, won their friendly fixture away at Rhyl by 3-1 on Tuesday evening.

Following a goalless first half, Porth took the lead on 55 minutes when new signing Meilir Williams netted.

This lead was wiped out on 62 minutes by Rhyl’s Zyaac Edwards, but five minutes later Josh Davies restored the lead for the visitors.

Porthmadog went on to add another goal in the 70th minutes, and that proved to be the end of the scoring.

With no game scheduled over the weekend, due to Guilsfield’s Welsh Cup commitments, Porthmadog will return to Cymru Alliance action at home against Conwy Borough next weekend.

Meanwhile the draw for the semi-finals of the Huws Gray Cymru Alliance Cup was made by league Chairman Bob Paton as follows: Flint Town United versus Prestatyn Town; and Holyhead Hotspur or Porthmadog versus Caernarfon.