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12th November 2007 - Daily Post
Match Report
Even though the result was not what Porthmadog wanted at least The Traeth faithful took some encouragement from the team’s showing, which deserved better than this defeat. Manager Viv Williams said: “We should have won because we certainly had the chances and on another day would have enjoyed a bagful. The trouble is that when a team are down at the bottom of the table, little goes right and we had no breaks at all. We played really well, produced some attractive stuff and were very disciplined. If the situation had been otherwise, I would be worried but we had chances galore and yet could not score. In terms of the tick boxes, we had a number of positives, except for the fact that we could not find the target.” In a rousing first half Porthmadog miscued through Carl Owen, Marcus Orlik and Jason Sadler, before Orlik made the breakthrough on 37 minutes, following a big clearance from defence. Although Port Talbot had more possession in the second period, the hosts still offered threats by Orlik again and Rhys Roberts, until the game’s turning point occurred with a quarter of an hour left. Defender John G Jones handled a goal-bound drive, resulting in a penalty award – converted by Martin Rose – and the offender was issued with the red card. As Porthmadog were adjusting to their 10-man predicament, Port Talbot struck again inside two minutes when Scott Barrow’s low 20-yarder beat Richard Harvey. Porthmadog’s pressure almost paid off but Carl Jones was denied by keeper Kristian Rogers.
12th November 2007 - South Wales Evening Post
Port Talbot will not be rushed
Port Talbot Town chairman Andrew Edwards says he will not be rushed into making a new managerial appointment at the Remax Stadium.Speaking after his club's heroic victory at Porthmadog, Edwards said: “I am delighted with the response from applicants who would like to fill the post and I may speak to a few of them this week. But there will be no rush as we want to appoint the right man, someone who will build upon the long-term stability of Wayne Davies and Mark Jones. I feel this is a top Welsh Premier appointment and so it's important that we get the right person.” Both Davies and Jones have been widely spoken about but Davies's lack of a coaching certificate which would meet with Welsh Premier criteria could rule him out. And Edwards said: “Paul Reid may wish to throw his hat into the ring.” Reid was in temporary charge of the team for the visit to Y Traeth and a winning start would have done his chances no harm if the full-time post interested him. He succeeded with a squad of just 12 senior players as Chad Bond, Gareth Phillips and Lee Surman were all suspended. “We had to bring in under-19 Academy players to fill the bench but the lads gave me just the response I was looking for,” added Edwards. “I'm delighted with the win. There were a lot of people looking at how we would perform after the week we've had and we've responded in a magnificent way. The new manager will have a difficult task as we can now only make strides in the league as we are out of all three cups.” Porthmadog, bottom of the Welsh Premier having suffered 10 defeats from 11 starts going into the match, went in front in the 37th minute through Marcus Orlik, but the game turned on its head with 15 minutes remaining when home defender John Gwynfor Jones was red-carded. It was a controversial decision by the referee as Jones threw himself at a challenge, the ball appearing to strike him. Martin Rose coolly slotted home the resultant penalty and two minutes later young Scott Barrow sent the visiting supporters into ecstasy with a crisply driven shot from the edge of the box.
12th November 2007 - Rob Owen, Western Mail
Barrow boost for Port Talbot
For Porthmadog, the torment continues while Port Talbot’s week of gloom ended with smiles as caretaker boss Paul Reid made the perfect start. Visitors chairman Andrew Edwards said, “We are delighted with the win after the week we’ve had. This was just the response we were looking for from the players. Tony Pennock’s resignation came out of the blue but after the disappointment we move on and already some excellent candidates have shown an interest. I will be speaking to a few of them in the week but we will not rush things. We want the right man to build upon the stability and continuity of the post.” Porthmadog’s 11th defeat in 12 matches came after they went ahead through Marcus Orlik in the 37th minute, but a 75th minute Martin Rose penalty – John Gwynfor Jones saw red for handball – and another from Scott Barrow two minutes later sealed the hosts’ fate.
11th November 2007 - www.welsh-premier.com
Port still rock bottom
Hapless Porthmadog remain rooted to the foot of the table and now find themselves six points adrift of the pack after this latest defeat at the hands of the Steelmen. Yet the Traeth outfit looked on course for their second win of the season when taking the lead on 37 minutes through Marcus Orlik, who chipped Talbot keeper Kristian Rogers from 20 yards. It all turned sour within the space of three second half minutes as first defender John Gwynfor Jones was dismissed for handling Dylain Blain's cross and Martin Rose converted the spot kick. Three minutes later, young Scott Barrow sent a superb 20-yarder past Port keeper Richard Harvey to snatch all three points, although Warren Beattie should have salvaged something in injury time when blazing over from a Carl Jones pass.
11th November 2007 - Wales on Sunday
Double blow sinks lowly Porthmadog
Porthmadog’s plight at the league basement became more critical when visitors Port Talbot snapped up two goals in two minutes at the end to impose yet another home defeat. The turning point was a handball offence by defender John G Jones in attempting to block Dylan Blaine’s goal-bound shot – and the resultant penalty on 75 minutes was converted by Martin Rose. Porthmadog’s Jones was also shown the red card by referee Andy Harms. To compound the home team’s problems, they then conceded a second goal on 77 minutes, when Scott Barrow directed a low 20-yarder past keeper Richard Harvey. Porthmadog had hoped for better, when they gained the lead on 37 minutes through Marcus Orlik, who produced a masterly chip shot from 20 yards over the away team’s Kristian Rogers, after chasing a long clearance upfield from Harvey. Desperate to retrieve the situation in the final moments, the home team’s sub Carl Jones cut inside from the right wing and exploded a fierce shot, which Rogers diverted around a post. In stoppage time, Porthmadog were unlucky again as Jones set-up for Warren Beattie at 10 yards’ range, but the latter inexplicably blazed over the bar.
10th November 2007 - www.porthmadogfc.com
Match Report
A red card for a handling offence and the subsequent 75 minute penalty changed the course of a game where Porthmadog had held a slender lead since the 38th minute. Only two minutes after the penalty Port Talbot went on to take the three points scoring a second in a game where they had generally looked second best. During the week leading up to this game Port Talbot had followed Porthmadog in parting company with their manager and were also without several players due to injury and suspensions. The home side started well and Carl Owen came close after only four minutes but his powerful effort was well saved at his near post by Rogers. From early in the game Port Talbot however showed that they would be a threat on the counter attack. In the 6th minute Lee John broke down the right and Blain looked certain to convert his low cross but Rhys Roberts did well to clear off the goal line. Porthmadog continued to control the game both territorially and in possession. Rogers was soon in action again this time at his far post keeping out Orlik's header. Rogers then kept out Carl Owen's shot with his legs following an Aled Rowlands corner. With the home side strived to turn pressure into goals Beattie sent a dipping free kick on to the roof of the Port Talbot net. Rogers saved well from Orlik cutting in from the left but Sadler failed to take advantage of the rebound. The danger of a counter attack remained as Porthmadog continued to search for the vital goal and Martin Rose was unlucky to see his 21st minute shot go across Richard Harvey and narrowly past the far post. A Marcus Orlik break after 31 minutes created another shooting chance for Carl Owen but the striker's well hit volley flew over the bar. Finally, with 38 minutes gone, Porthmadog scored the goal which their pressure warranted and it came thanks to an excellent piece of skill by Marcus Orlik who had been a constant threat to the visitors' defence. A long kick by Harvey bobbled dangerously around the edge of the Port Talbot penalty area and it was Orlik who reacted first hitting the ball superbly on the volley past Rogers. The single goal lead at the interval was less than the home side's efforts had deserved. The second half started much as the first with Rowlands providing a shooting chance for Orlik but the striker's well struck effort was wide of Rogers' right hand upright. Port Talbot continued to rely on counter attacks and Harvey did well to keep out Barrow's shot with his legs and following another quick break Lee John fired into the side netting. A fine cross field pass from Orlik set up Jason Sadler who cut inside and unleashed a powerful shot which went across the face of goal and wide. Warren Beattie then came close following an Aled Rowlands corner. But with 75 minutes gone the home side paid the penalty for failing to consolidate their advantage with a second goal. Port Talbot sub Sam Baker broke in from the left and referee Hames showed John G Jones a red card adjudging that the full back cut out the hard hit cross with his hand. Martin Rose stepped up to convert the penalty and level the scores. Within two minutes the visitors were ahead when Scott Barrow was given room to burst from midfield and he struck a firm low shot past Harvey from 20 yards. Down to 10 men Porthmadog battled to get back on level terms and there were a couple of speedy runs by Carl Jones which stretched the Port Talbot defence. From one of these he provided Beattie with a clear opportunity but Rogers kept out the midfielder's shot. This defeat leaves Porthmadog six points adrift at the foot of the table - hardly a reflection of their recent performances. They must hope for fortune to start smiling upon them in what has been a frustrating period where results do not reflect the play on the field.
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