CPD Porthmadog promoted to Cymru North after a one-sided playoff win
CPD Porthmadog have returned to the Cymru North at the first time of asking after comfortably beating Caersws at Werm Mynach.
Two goals towards the end of the first half and a strike on the hour mark gave Rhys Alun Williams his hat-trick before substitute John Littlemore and Paul Lewis added more in a one-sided play-off final.
It brought to an end goalkeeper Paul Pritchard’s 22-year playing career with the 38-year-old announcing prior to the match he would be hanging up the gloves. Pritchard was a 2019 Island Games winner with Ynys Môn.
The Port were relegated from the North in 2020 after finishing 14th in a truncated season. Under the stewardship of popular manager Craig Papirnyk, they finished second in the Ardal North West to Mold Alexandra, finishing a whole 11 points behind the champions.
To add insult to injury, losing finalists Caersws had to wear the home kit of hosts Barmouth & Dyffryn, who welcomed 1,300 fans to their ground.
Despite their play-off heartache, the Bluebirds won the maiden Ardal North Cup, defeating Mold earlier this month.
CPD Porthmadog: Paul Pritchard, Gareth Jones-Evans (John Littlemore, 85), Josh Banks, Euron Roberts, Iddon Price (C), Ifan Emlyn Jones, Dewi Thomas (Stuart Rogers, 64), Marcus Banks (Jamie McDaid, 63), Rhys Alun Williams (Maty Jones, 82), Cai Parry (Ben Fisher, 67), Paul Lewis.
Goals: Rhys Alun Williams 37, 45+1, 60, John Littlemore 85, Paul Lewis 87’
Yellow Cards: Rhys Alun Williams 36, John Littlemore 85’
Cymru North 2022/23 teams: Buckley Town, Cefn Druids, Chirk AAA, Conwy Borough, Colwyn Bay, Gresford Athletic, Guilsfield, Holyhead Hotspur, Holywell Town, Llandudno, Llanidloes Town, Mold Alexandra, Penrhyncoch, Porthmadog, Prestatyn Town, Ruthin Town.
