More than 350 spectators watched Llandudno Junction earn their first ever Huws Gray Alliance win in their final fixture of the season.
The big attendance at Stansty Park was because supporters were keen to show their respect for FC Queens Park manager Martin Ford, who passed away earlier in the week.
The score was 1-1 at half-time, while Junction emerged 3-2 winners after 90 minutes.
Nicky Chester and Adam Roberts netted for Park with Sean McCaffrey and Jack Nettleton (2) on target for Junction.
In the only other Alliance fixture played Porthmadog and Holywell Town drew 1-1. Cai Jones put Porth ahead after 20 minutes, while Steve Lewis replied for Holywell.
It was a match which brought an end to Porthmadog goalkeeper Richard Harvey’s long and distinguished career, while Holywell manager John Haseldine has stepped down from his position.
Harvey, one of the most consistent and reliable players in Alliance football has decided to end his playing days.
He announced his retirement earlier this month and says: “Twenty years of throwing myself around on the pitch and two hip operations have finally caught up with me.
“I feel my body can no longer sustain the hard training required to be the goalkeeper at this great club. I have been lucky in fulfilling my dream of playing for the club I supported as a boy and to have been able to wear the shirt for 12 season gives me great pride.
“I thank all the players and coaching staff I have worked with over the years who have helped me along with the fans for their tremendous support.
“I would like to stay in football, perhaps look into coaching young goalkeepers in my area. It’s a specialist position which can get neglected so I would like to help.
“Finally, although Porthmadog has been my club for the majority of my playing time, I have also played for Holywell, Cemaes Bay (winning the league cup in 2002) and Llangefni.
“I had some great times at these clubs and I would like to thank them.”
Harvey has called a halt after making 373 league and cup appearances for Porthmadog.
Alliance officials asked Richard about his life between the sticks.
1 Best team played in and why?
“Wales under18s team. We had some really talented players and played some good football. Also, the Porthmadog team of 2006/7. Everyone worked hard for each other and we had some great cup wins”
2 Best player played with?
“Adrian Jones, better known as Twm (magic man) in Porthmadog. It was more towards the end of his career but he still had the magic and a brilliant user of the ball.”
3 Most difficult opponents – team
“In the Cymru Alliance it always seemed to be Guilsfield. A well organised team who usually found a way of beating us.”
4 Most difficult opponent – player?
“Lee Trundle, unbelievable finisher”
5 Best season and why?
“The 2006-07 season in the League of Wales for Porthmadog when we beat TNS twice, reached the semi-finals of the League Cup and quarter-finals in the Welsh Cup and Premier Cup.”
6 Best Huws Gray Alliance ground played on?
“The Traeth, Porthmadog”
7 Player who always seemed to score against you?
“Paul Roberts. Annoyingly as we are good friends”
8 Memories
“My best memories in football would be representing Wales at under-18 level, having a trial at Manchester City and training with the likes of George Weah.
I enjoyed my experiences at Macclesfield and Wrexham.
Signing back for Porthmadog in 2005 and lastly that feeling in the changing rooms after winning a hard fought game.”
9 What changes have you seen over the years – good and bad?
“The Cymru Alliance has improved. It’s good to see lots of clubs trying to play decent football. There used to be two or three good teams in the league, but now you could say the top 10 is hugely competitive and you have to be at your best to an positive results.”
10 Opinion of the new FAW pyramid structure?
“I’m not a fan of the Welsh Premier comprising 12 teams. It’s really got boring and a lot of people I know who are not involved in the Welsh Premier don’t even check the scores over the weekend which is sad.
“I would much prefer a league of 18 where you play each other once home and away a season.
“There is a great interest in the Cymru Alliance at the moment. The professionalism is improving and I there are a cluster of teams closing the gap on teams in the Welsh Premier.”
Holywell Town, who finished fifth in the Alliance, paid tribute to their departing manager Haseldine after the match against Porthmadog.
“The club would like to place on record our gratitude and best wishes to manager John Haseldin, who has stepped down due to increased work and private commitments with his young family,” said chairman Sean Elliott.
“John and his dedicated staff have overseen the most successful period in the club’s recent history, firmly re-establishing the Wellmen back in tier two of the Welsh Football structure during an era of growth in both the Welsh domestic game and the club.”
Remaining Alliance fixture, Tuesday, May 15: FC Queens Park v Penrhyncoch.
Results from Saturday: FC Queens Park 2, Llandudno Junction 3; Porthmadog 1, Holywell 1.
HUWS GRAY ALLIANCE 2017/18
| Rank | Teams | Pd | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Caernarfon Town | 28 | 19 | 8 | 1 | 98 | 31 | 67 | 65 |
| 2 | Denbigh Town | 28 | 19 | 3 | 6 | 69 | 43 | 26 | 60 |
| 3 | Airbus Broughton | 28 | 17 | 3 | 8 | 67 | 42 | 25 | 54 |
| 4 | Guilsfield | 28 | 15 | 8 | 5 | 54 | 38 | 16 | 53 |
| 5 | Holywell Town | 28 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 75 | 37 | 38 | 50 |
| 6 | Rhyl | 28 | 13 | 8 | 7 | 62 | 45 | 17 | 47 |
| 7 | Porthmadog | 28 | 13 | 5 | 10 | 70 | 46 | 24 | 44 |
| 8 | Gresford Athletic | 28 | 12 | 6 | 10 | 57 | 57 | 0 | 39 |
| 9 | Flint Town United | 28 | 10 | 6 | 12 | 49 | 42 | 7 | 36 |
| 10 | Penrhyncoch | 27 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 40 | 45 | -5 | 36 |
| 11 | Ruthin Town | 28 | 10 | 5 | 13 | 51 | 49 | 2 | 35 |
| 12 | Holyhead Hotspur | 28 | 9 | 3 | 16 | 40 | 57 | -17 | 30 |
| 13 | Caersws | 28 | 5 | 3 | 20 | 39 | 72 | -33 | 18 |
| 14 | FC Queens Park | 27 | 2 | 3 | 22 | 25 | 105 | -80 | 9 |
| 15 | Llandudno Junction | 28 | 1 | 4 | 23 | 28 | 115 | -87 | 7 |