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6th April 2009 - Western Mail
Scott Barrow is the match-winner for Port Talbot
Port Talbot avenged a home defeat by Porthmadog in November, courtesy of an 85th-minute strike from Scott Barrow. With home defenders hesitating for an offside decision that referee Mark Whitby did not give, Barrow cut through to steer a shot under advancing goalkeeper Liam Shanahan. Porthmadog, who have now lost five games in a row to arouse relegation fears, were left to rue a series of finishing failures in the first half. Marc Lloyd Williams, Chris Jones and Rhys Roberts were denied by blocks or saves from Kristian Rogers. It was a sucker punch on 40 minutes when Port Talbot grabbed a flattering lead through Matt Thompson, who capitalised on a quick raid along the left and Lee John’s cross. Porthmadog were back on level terms after 78 minutes with Eifion Jones grabbing the equaliser – the product of a move involving Chris Jones and John Rowley – with a close-range header. Instead of pressing forward to kill off the opposition, Porthmadog appeared nervous and, after Port Talbot’s Scott Evans had gone close, Barrow became the visitor’s hero.
4th April 2009 - www.porthmadogfc.com
Match Report
A late and highly controversial goal gave visiting Port Talbot all three points. This extended Porthmadog's losing run to five games. Porthmadog found themselves behind at the interval despite dominating the opening half and creating several clear scoring opportunities. But with 11 minutes remaining they fought back to level matters. Scott Barrow's late winner was scored after the linesman had raised his flag for offside. With the Porthmadog defenders awaiting a whistle, Barrow raced on unchallenged and referee Mark Whitby signalled that the goal was to stand. This left Tomi Morgan fuming and it is highly disappointing that such an important game should be decided by the contradictory decisions of officials. From the start Porthmadog seemed to have got over the blues of last week's defeat at Stebonheath and with only 4 minutes gone Steve Kehoe was unlucky to see his well struck 15 yard shot strike the bar with keeper Rogers beaten. Rogers was again in action saving a Rhys Roberts header but early on the visitors gave warning that they would be dangerous on the break and Liam Shanahan had to dive at Thompson's feet to save. Shanahan, in only his second game in goal for Porthmadog, pulled off a good save diving low to his left after Martin Rose had turned well in the box. A 23rd minute Mike Foster corner created panic in the Port Talbot rearguard but there was no one to apply the finishing touch. Chris Jones on the half hour cut in from the right but Rogers at full stretch pushed the shot on to the post. A series of corners for Porthmadog followed and John Rowley shot straight at the keeper when well placed. The visitors on the break caused problems and a Thompson effort struck the post. A couple of close range chances then fell to Marc Lloyd Williams but the prolific striker failed to capitalise. Porthmadog then paid for their failures in front of goal when Matthew Thompson scored a fine goal following a Port Talbot break down the left placing his shot wide of Shanahan from 18 yards. Just before the interval John Rowley got on to the end of a Chris Jones cross but again failed to seriously trouble Rogers. Early in the second half a good downward header by Mark Thomas into the path of John Rowley provided a good shooting chance but the striker's shot went narrowly past the post. Port continued to create the better chances though they were not as dominant as in the opening half. John Rowley lifted his shot over the bar and there were a couple of shooting chances for Richie Owen. Then with 79 minutes gone Porthmadog got the goal they thoroughly deserved. Marc Lloyd Williams found Cai Jones on the right of the box and the subs downward header was rifled into the net from 6 yards by Eifion Jones. Jones had also been a dominant figure at the heart of the Port defence throughout. Neither side was however settling for the draw and the pacy Scott Barrow threatened down the left but his low shot went across the face of goal. Then with 4 minutes left it was confusion as Barrow raced past a Porthmadog defence who were awaiting a referee's whistle to confirm the linesman's raised flag. This was a sad way to lose such an important point -a point which was the very least that the home side deserved. With three games remaining and Caersws also losing last night the path to safety still remains in their own hands. They can take from this game the belief that they have the ability to break this run of defeats -given the luck and the rub with refereeing decisions.
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