When you pit the two teams with the best defensive records in the league against each other what are the odds on the game ending 0-0? Well odds or no odds that is precisely what happened. Port therefore recorded their third scoreless draw of the season and overall their sixth draw in seven league matches. If last week's scoreless draw at home was a case of two points lost this certainly did not come into that category.
Port probably edged the opening half but for a long period in the second-half the visitors defence needed to be at its best to keep out some sustained pressure from the Bluebirds. Port made a good start keeping possession well and building up patiently. From an early move Caughter released Ritchie Owen on the left but his cross was well cut out by Kendall in the home goal. Port's best early opportunity came when Tom Reynolds dispossessed Deryn Brace in the penalty area but his well struck angled shot was narrowly off target. A useful Caughter cross brought a neat glancing header from Mark Williams but it was too close to Kendall to be a real threat. Just after the half-hour mark there was a good build-up involving Reynolds, Mark Williams and finally Caughter whose shot rolled past the upright.
The home side countered with some good moves of their own with Algieri, Ryan and Hicks prominent. They failed to take advantage of a good deep Ryan cross to the far post and Algieri headed over when well placed. McGuigan needed a despairing effort to save after a muddle with John Gwynfor and Palmer shot over from the edge of the box. Algieri again brought a good save from McGuigan with a good shot from 15 yds.
Early in the second-half Port came close to settling the game when Ritchie Owen broke well from midfield to find Mark Williams whose square ball found Reynolds in space and the forward's fine curling shot cannoned to safety off the bar. Almost immediately the home side could have scored when Waters found Algieri with a long cross but the striker's header was off target.
McGuigan had to be on the alert to reach a couple of through balls while at the other end Rowlands rounded Wyn Thomas finding Gareth Parry, who broke well from midfield and tested Kendall with a good low shot. Though the homeside dominated territorially towards the end apart from a couple of well struck long shots from Rossiter and a Ryan free-kick they did not really threaten against the impressive Port defence where Lee Webber was again outstanding.
Port must now look to progress in the Welsh Cup with its attractive sponsorship money and to gain a home victory against the always difficult to beat Cwmbran side.
Report by: Gareth Williams
