Saltney Town 0-4 Porthmadog: Jones’ hattrick seals opening day win for Port
Saltney Town Sports 0-4 Porthmadog in the Ardal Leagues North West at Sandy Lane on the 31st July 2021. Credit: Hannah Gwenllian
Porthmadog put four past Saltney Town Sports as they crowned their Ardal Leagues debut with a 4-0 victory at Sandy Lane.
A comprehensive performance saw Matt Jones net a hat-trick, meanwhile, Julian Williams scored on his debut after signing from Colwyn Bay.
It was the home outfit who came closest to breaking the deadlock after only five minutes of play as Thomas Booth’s quick break down the left wing led to him firing the ball against the base of the post with goalkeeper Dylan Roberts beaten and the follow-up blocked by a Port defender.
There was action down the other end immediately in when Nathan Craig delivered a brilliant freekick from 25 yards which was tipped around the post by Joshua Cooke.
This seemed to kick-start the visitors who took a hold of the half and were relentless with their attacks through the influential Rhys Williams and Matt Jones.
Only twelve minutes were played when Craig Papirnyk’s men took the lead. A cracking ball from the left by Julian Williams was placed superbly by Jones from two yards out to make it 1-0.
Countless chances fell to the visitors as they dominated play. Julian Williams got on the end of Craig’s freekick but the ball bounced out of play before Rhys Williams broke down the left and cut in for his effort to be denied by Cooke.
Julian Williams almost made it two when he jinked the ball into the area which beat three players but his shot blazed over the crossbar.
Porthmadog were breaking quickly on the counter and timing the offside trap well which was carving opening the Saltney defence. The second of the afternoon came when Rhys pulled the ball back into the path of Julian who curled the ball into the far corner from four yards out.
Port were hitting their stride with their determined performance, winning all of the 50/50’s and passing the ball tidily across the floor.
The third came minutes later as Rhys Williams again provided this time for Jones who turned on the penalty spot to coolly score, giving Cooke no chance in the Saltney net.
After a few choice words from the Saltney management at halftime, there was an improvement from the home side at the start of the second period as they won a couple of corner kicks but were unable to trouble Roberts in the away net.
Cooke tipped over Williams’ powerful effort from the edge of the box in a good opportunity for the visitors.
On the hour, Dewi Thomas was tumbled over by Cooke in the penalty box for the referee to point to the spot. Jones stepped up and struck the ball into the bottom left corner to make it 4-0 and secure his hattrick for the afternoon.
Saltney had their first sight of goal in the 70th minute when Ben Evans fired wide as his strike took a deflection for a corner. The resulting corner kick was tamely headed wide of the upright by Adrian Callaghan.
Persistent work from Jack Roberts won a freekick on the edge of the box twelve minutes from time but Stephen Chinocchi’s shot was saved by Roberts with his feet in a good spell for the hosts.
Substitute Cody Silvester drove forward on a mazy 50-yard run but Roberts saved well on his left to deny Saltney from a consolation goal in the final minutes.
CPD Porthmadog’s Matt Jones said: “Great three points away to Saltney! I’m chuffed to have bagged a hattrick on my league debut for Porthmadog.”
Saltney Town Sports: 1. Joshua Cooke, 2. Corey Mason, 3. Harrison Robson, 4. Jack Roberts, 5. Benjamin Jones, 6. Stephen Chinocci, 7. Jake Johnson, 8. Ben Evans, 9. James Rutter (Cody Silvester 66’, 10. Adrian Callaghan (Rhys Baines 78’), 11. Thomas Booth (Carl Pleavin 71’)
Subs not used: Leon Jones.
Porthmadog: 1. Dylan Roberts, 2. Gareth Jones-Evans (5. Lewys Turner 67’) , 3. Josh Banks, 4. James Morgan, 6. Stuart Rogers, 7. Ifan Jones, 8. Dewi Thomas (10. John Littlemore 74’), 9. Matt Jones (15. Jamie McDaid 67’), 11. Nathan Craig, 14. Rhys Williams (17. Paul Lewis 74’), 16. Julian Williams (20. Ben Fisher 82’).
Goals: Matt Jones 12’, 39’, 61’ & Julian Williams 34’.
