Two second half goals, only five minutes apart, sent Port to their fourth league defeat in five games. These have been difficult days for Port following on from their double performance against Bangor. Today things had started brightly enough with a first half display which suggested that they would break the sequence of disappointing results. It was followed by a frustrating second half which followed a pattern which has typified several recent performances, where an excellent first half is followed by an off the boil second half.
Though Cwmbran were the first on the attack with Heal forcing Webber to clear at the near post it was Port who quickly got into their stride and dominated play in midfield. Gareth Parry played a lofted ball into the box which keeper Wesson saved under pressure from Carl Owen and Mark Williams. Port could have gone ahead when McGuigan's long clearance floated over the home defence but Carl Owen failed to bring the ball under control and the chance was lost. Then Ryan Davies tested Wesson with a header from the edge of the box. Cwmbran's best effort came when Dimond curled a free-kick just outside the post.
Carl Owen drove a snap 25 yard shot the wrong side of the post after half an hour but then after 38 minutes he raced to the near post to meet Ritchie Owen's corner with a fine angled header which flew past Wesson into the net.This was no more than Port deserved as they continued to dominate with some neat passing football and were first to the ball throughout the half. They could have gone further ahead but referee Nigel Morgan waved away loud Port appeals for a penalty as Ritchie Owen went down heavily in the box.
The second half was a different story as Cwmbran pushed forward while Port defended very deeply conceding much of the space in the midfield. As the half proceeded the home side started to get shots on target unlike the first period where McGuigan was rarely tested. Welsh shot low but straight at McGuigan and Webber blocked Heal's dangerous run and conceded a corner. Then after 70 minutes Welsh moved unchallenged to head Edwards' free-kick past McGuigan to bring the scores level. It took the home side only five minutes to put themselves in front when Jamie Edwards turned well in the box and though McGuigan got a hand to the shot the ball went over his head and into the goal.
The goal sparked Port out of their rather lethargic second half play and Owain Roberts put Carl Owen away on the right of the box and it took a fine save by Wesson to keep out his powerful angled shot. In the 88th minute a well placed Tony Williams cross only needed a touch to bring a goal but neither Webber nor Barry Evans at the far post was able to connect. In injury time skipper Lee Webber crashed a free-kick against the bar and the last chance had gone. After such a promising opening it was disappointing to end up with nothing. Port must look to end this disappointing run with a full ninety minute performance at home against Port Talbot.
Report by: Gareth Williams
