North Wales Blogs - Lilywhites Online with Dave Jones

STRONG REMAINS POSITIVE OVER EURO HOPES

2010-03-09T16:45:19Z

SATURDAY'S disappointing home defeat against 10-man Neath has not done too much damage to Rhyl's chances of qualifying for Europe, believes player-manager Greg Strong.
The Lilywhites slipped to fourth in the Welsh Premier after suffering only their second home league loss of the season, but with eight games still to play Strong thinks third place remains up for grabs.
"There's a lot of twists and turns to happen before the end of the season," he said. "We'll keep remaining positive and keep aiming for what we believe we deserve.
"Hopefully we'll keep putting in the performances, cut out the silly mistakes which to be honest I've had enough of, and start finishing teams off."
Rhyl were beaten by an early second half goal from ex-Norwich City, Wrexham and Wales midfielder Chris Llewelyn, but after Neath were reduced to 10 men on 52 minutes the Lilywhites had ample chances to win the game only to find Eagles keeper Anthony Williams in inspired form.
"I'm really disappointed with the result," added Strong. "I thought we played some good stuff at times, had a lot of chances, but it just seems I keep saying the same thing. They've had three or four chances on goal in the full game and have scored one, while we couldn't take any of our many opportunities."
While Neath became harder to break down after putting 10 men behind the ball following the sending off of midfielder Stephen Pockett, Strong still feels his team should have done better.
"It's always difficult to break a team down in those circumstances, but I still think we had enough chances to go on and win it. Matty Williams had a great chance, Rob Turner, Andy Pearson, they all had great opportunities.
"Too many chances were missed and a sloppy goal was given away. It will get better, we've just got to work very hard."

TEN-MAN NEATH PINCH THE POINTS

2010-03-07T05:38:30Z

RHYL 0
NEATH 1 (Llewelyn 49)
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE - MARCH 6, 2010
TEN-MAN Neath were indebted to goalkeeper Anthony Williams for ensuring they claimed their first ever victory at Belle Vue.
After Eagles midfielder Stephen Pockett received a straight red card early in the second half for making an obscene gesture to the crowd, the visitors had to contend with wave after wave of Rhyl pressure, but ex-Wrexham glovesman Williams pulled out some top drawer saves to deny the Lilywhites.
It was The Gnoll outfit that had the first chance of the afternoon, Chris Jones' firm strike from 10 yards being well saved by Jack Cudworth, who initially presented the ball to the opposition from a poor kick-out.
Neath looked far the sharper in the early stages, but as the half wore on Rhyl began to find their feet and Andrew Dyer's side were grateful to defender Liam Hancock for clearing Andrew Pearson's shot from close to the goal-line.
Matthew Williams then tried to turn John Leah's shot into the net but Hancock was there again to block.
Four minutes into the second period Neath went ahead when Jones' pinpoint cross from the right was poked home from six yards in typical poachers' style by ex-Norwich City, Wrexham and Wales striker Chris Llewelyn.
Soon after Pockett was given his marching orders by referee Huw Jones and after that the Eagles were content to put 10 men behind the ball and defend for their lives.
Just past the hour Rhyl striker Matthew Williams found some rare space in the box from a Leah pass but blasted wide of the target.
Jones went close with an audacious chip for the visitors before the Lilywhites' first shot on target in the 68th minute saw Williams brilliantly tip away a rocket from his namesake Matthew.
Pearson then created a good opportunity in the box, but Williams went down superbly at his near post to keep the ball out.
Rhyl were piling on the pressure, but Neath were generally defending well and denying the hosts clear openings.
The shooting on the whole from the Lilywhites was poor, in sharp contrast to some recent deadly displays in front of goal. In their previous five home matches Rhyl had netted 22 times.
It could have been 1-1 with four minutes remaining, though, when Rob Turner turned smartly in the box but Williams was equal to his low drive.
The result gives Neath clear daylight in sixth spot, but damaged Rhyl's hopes of qualifying for Europe for a seventh successive season with the Lilies dropping to fourth following Aberystwyth's win at Newtown.
Neath celebrated at the final whistle as if they'd won the league, but despite all their big spending they are going to win nothing.

RHYL: Cudworth, Pearson, Owens (C Williams 62), Strong, Dowling, Leah, Doran, Connolly, Turner (Naylor 86), M Williams, Kirk. Unused subs: Owen, Heenan.

MATCH FACTS
GOALS: Rhyl 0 Neath 1
ATTEMPTS: Rhyl 17 Neath 5
ON TARGET: Rhyl 4 Neath 2
CORNERS: Rhyl 4 Neath 5
YELLOW CARDS: Rhyl 0 Neath 0
RED CARDS: Rhyl 0 Neath 1
ATTENDANCE: 361
LO MAN OF THE MATCH
Shaun Dowling (Rhyl)
Played with a maturity beyond his years

RHYL FC RESULTS 2009/10
Aug 15 - Carmarthen Town (WPL - home) 2-1 (Strong, M Williams)
Aug 21 - Airbus UK Broughton (WPL - away) 2-2 (Hunt 2)
Aug 25 - Airbus UK Broughton (LC - a) 2-1 (Hunt, Owen)
Aug 29 - Port Talbot (WPL - h) 2-0 (M Williams, Hunt)
Sep 1 - Prestatyn Town (LC - h) 2-1 (Naylor, Connolly)
Sep 5 - Gap Connah's Quay (WPL - a) 2-0 (M Williams, Connolly)
Sep 11 - Bangor City (WPL - h) 5-1 (Hunt 2, M Williams pen, C Williams, Connolly)
Sep 19 - Newtown (WPL - a) 4-2 (M Williams 2, Strong, Connolly)
Sep 22 - Airbus (LC - h) 4-0 (Connolly 2, Kirk, Doran)
Sep 26 - Porthmadog (WPL - h) 4-0 (Connolly 3, Kirk)
Oct 3 - Llanfairpwll (WC-a) 3-1 (Connolly 2, Smith)
Oct 6 - Prestatyn Town (LC-a) 3-0 (Connolly, Hunt, C Williams)
Oct 9 - Bala Town (WPL-a) 4-0 (Smith, Doran, Horan, Hunt)
Oct 17 - Neath (WPL-a) 0-2
Oct 23 - Elements Cefn Druids (WPL-a) 1-1 (M Williams)
Oct 27 - Porthmadog (LCQF-a) 4-1 (Connolly 2, M Williams 2)
Oct 31 - Bridgend Town (WC-h) 4-2 (Connolly, M Williams, Strong, C Williams)
Nov 7 - Llanelli (WPL-h) 0-0
Nov 10 - Gap Connah's Quay (a-LCSF 1st leg) 1-2 (Connolly)
Nov 14 - Caersws (WPL-h) 3-1 (Connolly, Hunt 2)
Nov 17 - Gap Connah's Quay (h-LCSF 2nd leg) 4-0 (Connolly, Hunt, Smith 2)
Nov 22 - The New Saints (a-WPL) 0-4
Nov 29 - Haverfordwest County (a-WPL) 1-2 (Strong)
Dec 5 - Aberystwyth Town (a-WPL) 2-2 (Leah, Hunt)
Dec 12 - Technogroup Welshpool (h-WPL) 4-1 (Leah, C Williams, Hunt, Owen)
Dec 16 - Colwyn Bay (a-NWCC) 1-0 (Stones)
Dec 26 - Prestatyn Town (a-WPL) 0-0
Jan 2 - Prestatyn Town (h-WPL) 1-1 (Leah)
Jan 16 - Port Talbot (a-WPL) 1-2 (Turner)
Jan 23 - Gap Connah's Quay (h-WPL) 4-1 (Connolly, Horan, M Williams 2)
Jan 26 - Airbus UK Broughton (h-WPL) 2-1 (M Williams pen, Turner)
Jan 30 - Pontardawe Town (h-WCR4) 7-0 (Leah 3, Connolly 2, Turner, Kirk)
Feb 7 - Bangor City (a-WPL) 1-3 (M Williams pen)
Feb 14 - Newtown (h-WPL) 4-2 (Strong, M Williams, Owens, Kirk)
Feb 20 - Porthmadog (a-WPL) 2-0 (Strong, Connolly)
Feb 24 - Bala Town (h-WPL) 5-2 (Pearson, C Williams, Connolly 2, Turner)
Feb 27 - Prestatyn Town (a-WC) 4-4 (Connolly 2, M Williams, Turner) - Lost 5-4 pens
Mar 6 - Neath (h-WPL) 0-1

GOALS (95): 26 - Mark Connolly; 16 - Matthew Williams; 13 - Lee Hunt; 6 - John Leah, Greg Strong; 5 - Rob Turner; Chris Williams; 4 - Tyrone Kirk, Paul Smith; 2 - George Horan, Phil Doran, Gareth Owen; 1 - Martyn Naylor, Greg Stones, Andy Owens, Andrew Pearson.

OUTSTANDING HOME RECORD

2010-03-05T04:00:00Z

DESPITE their problems this season Rhyl have retained an outstanding home record.
Haverfordwest County are the sole team to win at Belle Vue, while the only other two sides to pick up anything at the Lilywhites' ground are Prestatyn Town and Llanelli.
In all competitions, Greg Strong's side have won 15 out of 18 home matches and racked up 58 goals.

RHYL FC HOME RECORD - ALL COMPETITIONS 2009/10
Aug 15 - Carmarthen Town (WPL) 2-1
Aug 29 - Port Talbot (WPL) 2-0
Sep 1 - Prestatyn Town (LC) 2-1
Sep 11 - Bangor City (WPL) 5-1
Sep 22 - Airbus (LC) 4-0
Sep 26 - Porthmadog (WPL) 4-0
Oct 31 - Bridgend Town (WC) 4-2
Nov 7 - Llanelli (WPL) 0-0
Nov 14 - Caersws (WPL) 3-1
Nov 17 - Gap Connah's Quay (LC) 4-0
Nov 29 - Haverfordwest County (WPL) 1-2
Dec 12 - Technogroup Welshpool (WPL) 4-1
Jan 2 - Prestatyn Town (WPL) 1-1
Jan 23 - Gap Connah's Quay (WPL) 4-1
Jan 26 - Airbus UK Broughton (WPL) 2-1
Jan 30 - Pontardawe Town (WC) 7-0
Feb 14 - Newtown (WPL) 4-2
Feb 24 - Bala Town (WPL) 5-2

PLAYED:18
WON: 15
DRAWN: 2
LOST: 1
GOALS FOR 58
GOALS AGAINST 16

NEATH CLASH IS A REAL SIX-POINTER

2010-03-05T03:31:23Z

RHYL v NEATH
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 2.30pm
TOMORROW'S game at Belle Vue will be a real six-pointer between two teams vying for European qualification.
Rhyl will be out for revenge having lost 2-0 at The Gnoll in October. At the time the Lilywhites were unbeaten and top of the table, but that result kicked off a bad run.
Neath entered the New Year looking like potential title challengers, but a dismal record of just two wins in their last 10 league outings have buffered them out of the championship picture.
Andrew Dyer's full-timers are now an outside bet to even make it into Europe - and that is something the club would surely have expected at the very least given the considerable financial outlay at The Gnoll this season.
Rhyl have been in good form in the Welsh Premier of late, their last two results being a 5-2 thrashing of Bala and a 4-2 win over Newtown.
Goalkeeper Jack Cudworth is back in contention for the Lilies after missing the Prestatyn game through being cup-tied, while the fitness of Connolly and Strong will be assessed. Defender Martyn Naylor could also come into the picture.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
2009/10 - Neath 2 Rhyl 0
2008/09 - Rhyl 4 Neath 2; Neath 2 Rhyl 2
2007/08 - Rhyl 1 Neath 0; Neath 1 Rhyl 1

"PLENTY STILL TO PLAY FOR" - STRONG

2010-03-05T03:05:27Z

GREG STRONG has spoken out following last weekend's stunning Welsh Cup defeat at Prestatyn Town.
The Lilywhites player-manager insists that while the result at Bastion Gardens, which cost the club a route into next season's Europa League was devastating, there is still much to play for this term.
Strong spoke to Lilywhites Online on the Monday after the game:

LO: Some supporters have questioned why you did not pick yourself for the game at Prestatyn, given that your experience could have added stability to the defence.
GS: I've been carrying a knee injury for a while and haven't trained for some time now. I didn't feel I was fit enough to play.
LO: Was the decision to substitute Mark Connolly, who had scored two goals, after 72 minutes down to injury?
GS: Of course he was injured - there is no way I'd have taken him off the way he was playing otherwise. He was carrying an injury before the game and did well to soldier on as long as he did before he finally had to come off.
LO: How did you assess the overall performance of your team?
GS: Attacking-wise we were excellent, we played some really good stuff, created lots of chances and scored some really good goals. At the other end I was not so pleased.
LO: Do you think it was defensive naiveity which cost you? None of your back-four that day have even reached 21 yet.
GS: We've got good young players here, some of them have big futures, but they will make mistakes. If they didn't make mistakes they'd be playing at a much higher level. We accept mistakes will be made along the way, but these players are good enough to learn from them.
LO: What sort of effect did the result have on the team?
GS: It was devastating, we caused our own downfall, it doesn't seem like we've been beaten in a cup as it was on penalties, but life goes on.
We're already looking forward. It's a bit of a knock now, but we'll all learn from it.
LO: Do you still feel there is much to play for this season?
GS: There's an awful lot to play for. We've got nine cup finals between now and the end of the season - 10 if you count the League Cup final. We're in a good position in the league and the aim is to finish as high as we can.

RHYL PIPPED IN CUP CLASSIC

2010-02-28T14:07:26Z

PRESTATYN TOWN 4 (Parker 18, Wilson 41, Gibson 49, Moran 77)
RHYL 4 (Connolly 11 & 27, M Williams 30, Turner 90)
(after extra time - Prestatyn win 5-3 on penalties)
WELSH CUP QUARTER-FINALS - FEBRUARY 27, 2010
THIS was the best Welsh Cup tie I've ever seen and certainly one of the finest matches I've ever reported on in my 23 years in journalism.
It was a pity there had to be a loser, but that's football.
Some may criticise Rhyl for losing a 3-1 lead, but this is a young Lilywhites side with great potential.
They will show naiveity, make mistakes, but will also thrill the crowds with their outstanding football.
Rhyl will play a lot worse than they did at Bastion Gardens yesterday and win.
As for Prestatyn, one can only applaud their battling spirit plus the quality of their five superb penalties in the shoot-out.
In a very short time Neil Gibson has put together an excellent side and they now must stand a fair chance of winning the Welsh Cup for the first time in their history, although they face a tough semi against holders Bangor.
Rhyl took the lead on 11 minutes when the home defence failed to clear a Phil Doran corner and Mark Connolly stabbed home in his usual clinical style.
Against the run of play the Seasiders levelled after 18 minutes when Gibson's free-kick from the left was allowed to reach Michael Parker at the back post. From an acute angle Parker managed to force the ball home past keeper Paul Pritchard.
Connolly then headed against the bar from a Doran flag-kick before Parker was through one-on-one but Pritchard went down well to deny him.
Rhyl were back in front on 27 minutes with a fantastic strike from the edge of the box by Connolly, who made it 26 goals for the season.
Three minutes later good work by striker Rob Turner enabled Matty Williams to drill in number three.
Only a fine Jon Hill-Dunt save from an Andy Pearson drive prevented a fourth and at this stage Rhyl looked capable of running riot.
But four minutes before the break came a major turning point when ex-Lilywhite Gareth Wilson made it 3-2 with the sweetest of volleys from 18 yards to set up a fascinating second half.
The next goal was vital and Prestatyn got it four minutes into the second stanza when Paul O'Neill headed down a Jack Lewis free-kick and Gibson fired in to level the tie.
Rhyl continued to pile up attempts on the home goal, Connolly going closest with a free-kick, but suddenly the Lilies shooting was off radar.
Then Prestatyn completed a remarkable turnaround by taking the lead on 77 minutes.
An awful goal-kick by Pritchard went straight to Moran who kept his composure to finish left-footed, but like team-mate Wilson, his celebration was respectful to his ex-club.
Town had chances to seal it, O'Neill heading inches wide before Ian Griffiths was clean through but Pritchard produced an heroic save at his feet.
And Prestatyn paid when Williams played the ball into Turner who controlled and finished from 12 yards a minute into injury time.
EXTRA-TIME
Gibson had a golden opportunity in the first period when he broke into the box from the right, worked the ball on to his left foot, but blasted over with the goal at his mercy.
The rest of the chances all fell to Rhyl, but Matty Williams could only shoot weakly at Hill-Dunt and O'Neill blocked a goalbound shot from Tyrone Kirk.
PENALTIES
Moran scores - Prestatyn 1-0
Matty Williams makes no mistake - 1-1
Lewis makes it 2-1
Hill-Dunt saves Gareth Owen's poor penalty 2-1
Gibson fires home confidently 3-1
Leah coolly sends Hill-Dunt wrong way 3-2
Dave Hayes scores emphatically 4-2
Turner lashes into the roof of the net 4-3
Parker beats Pritchard with power to send Prestatyn through 5-3

TEAMS:
Prestatyn: Hill-Dunt, Harris, Lewis, Hayes, O'Neill, Wilson (Jones 65), Parker, Gibson, Moran, Griffiths (Fisher-Cooke 101), Hannen. Subs: Hoult, Rogers, Williams (GK)
Rhyl: Pritchard, Pearson, Owens, Ojapah, Dowling, Leah, Doran (C Williams 86), Connolly (G Owen 72), Turner, M Williams, Kirk. Subs: Courtney, Strong, Dixon.

MATCH FACTS
GOALS: Prestatyn 4 Rhyl 4
ATTEMPTS: Prestatyn 9 Rhyl 29
ON TARGET: Prestatyn 6 Rhyl 13
CORNERS: Prestatyn 4 Rhyl 14
YELLOW CARDS: Prestatyn 2 Rhyl 1
RED CARDS: Prestatyn 0 Rhyl 0
ATTENDANCE: 683
LO MAN OF THE MATCH
Prestatyn - Michael Parker
Rhyl - Phil Doran
* Many apologies for the lateness of this report but a very heavy Saturday workload took priority.

TOP ATTENDANCE TITLE IS SLIPPING

2010-02-25T13:01:29Z

AFTER six successive seasons of attracting the highest average home attendance in the Welsh Premier League, Rhyl's crown is slipping.
Latest figures show Bangor City currently top the table with an average home crowd of 514 spread over 11 league games.
Rhyl are in second place with an average of 484 over 13 home matches, but attendances for league games at Belle Vue are down 35% on last season.
However, when taking into account matches home and away, Rhyl still have the highest average in the league.
And the champions still boast the biggest home attendance for any one game in the Welsh Premier this term - 1,074 versus Bangor City.
CURRENT AVERAGE HOME ATTENDANCE TABLE 2009/10 (up to and including February 24, 2010)
1 Bangor City 514
2 Rhyl 484
3 Bala Town 390
4 Carmarthen Town 357
5 Aberystwyth Town 345
(6th TNS, 7th Llanelli)

Bangor's remaining home games: Airbus, Caersws, Carmarthen, Newtown, Port Talbot, Welshpool.
Rhyl's remaining home games: Aberystwyth, Druids, Neath, The New Saints.

LAST SIX SEASONS
2008/09 - 1st: Rhyl 742
2007/08 - 1st: Rhyl 477
2006/07 - 1st: Rhyl 492
2005/06 - 1st: Rhyl 476
2004/05 - 1st: Rhyl 597
2003/04 - 1st: Rhyl 586

TWO DAYS TILL THE BIG SHOWDOWN

2010-02-25T12:28:43Z

PRESTATYN TOWN v RHYL
WELSH CUP QUARTER-FINALS
SATURDAY 2pm
THERE are just two days to go before the battle of Denbighshire.
This Saturday brings a clash of the titans as Prestatyn Town entertain neighbours Rhyl in the quarter-finals of the Welsh Cup.
Although the Seasiders are yet to beat the Lilywhites in seven attempts since elevating to the Welsh Premier League, the gap between the clubs is closing all the time.
Last season, Prestatyn's first in the WPL, it was no contest with eventual champions Rhyl winning the derby league encounters 7-2 and 4-1.
This season, however, has brought a turnaround with Town strengthening by making a number of experienced signings and the Lilywhites losing 15 members of their title-winning squad.
As a result, the two WPL tussles between the coastal rivals have ended 0-0 and 1-1, although Rhyl did come out on top twice in the Loosemores League Cup group stage games, winning 2-1 at Belle Vue and 3-0 at Bastion Gardens.
But Prestatyn will see Saturday's Welsh Cup epic as not only a chance to make a massive statement in the battle for Denbighshire superiority, but also an opportunity to reach the semi-finals of Wales' most prestigious knockout competition for the first time in their history.
Rhyl, meanwhile, will view winning the Welsh Cup as a main route into the Europa League and the much-needed cash rewards that would bring.
Both teams are in great form. Rhyl have won six of their last seven matches, including a brilliant 5-2 demolition of Bala on Wednesday night, while Prestatyn are unbeaten in five games in which they have conceded just once.

PRESTATYN TOWN v RHYL - LAST EIGHT MEETINGS

2009/10

WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE - Rhyl 1 (Leah) Prestatyn Town 1 (Hayes)
What a difference a year made for Prestatyn keeper Jon Hill-Dunt. Twelve months earlier he had been sent off at Belle Vue in a 7-2 thrashing, but it was a different story on January 2 as Hill-Dunt turned in an unbelieveable man of the match display to earn his side another point against the Lilywhites.
Dave Hayes stabbed the Seasiders in front from close range before the interval, but a fabulous John Leah volley in the second stanza ensured it ended all square.
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE - Prestatyn Town 0 Rhyl 0
Prestatyn claimed their first Welsh Premier League point against Rhyl and it would have been all three but for the heroics of Lilywhites keeper Paul Pritchard.
The visitors hit the post late on with a deflected Matthew Williams shot, but an away win would have been an injustice. For the umpteenth time in his Belle Vue career, Rhyl striker Lee Hunt blotted his copybook by being red-carded.
LOOSEMORES LEAGUE CUP - Prestatyn Town 0 Rhyl 3 (Connolly, Hunt, C Williams)
A disappointingly one-sided affair saw Rhyl coast to victory on a rainy Tuesday night at Bastion Gardens.
It might have been different had Town been awarded a penalty for a blatant fourth minute push in the box by Phil Doran on Ian Griffiths, but after Mark Connolly's 11th minute thunderbolt broke the deadlock it was all Rhyl.
LOOSEMORES LEAGUE CUP - Rhyl 2 (Naylor, Connolly) Prestatyn Town 1 (Lewis)
Mark Connolly's 85th minute winner finally brought Rhyl just reward for relentless second half pressure, but Prestatyn gave the Lilywhites a really good battle at Belle Vue.
Jack Lewis' thunderbolt put the Seasiders ahead just after the half hour before Martyn Naylor levelled from a 25-yard free-kick six minutes later.
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY - Rhyl 0 Prestatyn Town 0
It is unusual for two teams from the same league to face each other in a pre-season friendly, but this is what happened last July at Belle Vue.
The Lilywhites, who had just suffered a 12-0 aggregate tonking at the hands of Serbian giants Partizan Belgrade, fielded the majority of their title-winning side, while Prestatyn's line-up featured several new signings.
In what was a very even game, both sides had numerous chances, but not one was taken. A fair result.

2008/09

WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE - Rhyl 7 (Reed 2, Owen 2, M Williams pen, Johnson, O'Neill) Prestatyn Town 2 (Griffiths, Harris)
Rhyl were always in command of this Christmas derby watched by an astonishing 2,126 at Belle Vue, but the final scoreline was much more emphatic due to the 24th minute sending off of Seasiders keeper Jon Hill-Dunt.
It was a controversial decision to dismiss the visiting custodian after he apparently clipped Lilies striker Carl Owen as he was veering away from goal, but Hill-Dunt was red-carded and Rhyl roared into a 5-0 lead by the break.
In the second half Prestatyn were much more competitive and at least had two good goals to show for their efforts.
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE - Prestatyn Town 1 (Parker) Rhyl 4 (Owen, Strong, Sherbon, Reed)
It needed two late goals from Luke Sherbon and Jamie Reed to finally kill off Prestatyn's brave challenge at a sun-baked Bastion Gardens.
Gareth Owen broke the deadlock direct from a corner and Greg Strong made it 2-0 before Michael Parker pulled one back on the stroke of half time.

2006/07

NORTH WALES COAST FA CHALLENGE CUP - Prestatyn Town 2 (Hayes, Bowes) Rhyl 0
A famous win for the Seasiders at a fervent Bastion Gardens over a Rhyl side which was at full strength apart from missing striker Lee Hunt.
Prestatyn were in the Cymru Alliance at the time so this was a real giant-killing, but Dave Fuller's side fully deserved the win.
Young Ben Rowley was a hero in goal for Town, while the all-important goals came from Dave Hayes from close range in the first half and a cracking strike by Steve Bowes in the second.

WHAT A THRILLER

2010-02-25T12:18:29Z

LAST night's Rhyl v Bala Town game produced certainly one of the best halves of football I have ever seen in my years of watching the Welsh Premier League.
It got me thinking about some of the other great matches to grace the league over the seasons and here are five gems I came up with.
Can you think of any others?
RHYL 5 ABERYSTWYTH TOWN 3 (Jan 17, 2004)
What a match at Belle Vue watched by Rhyl's then record WPL crowd of 644. Four goals in eight minutes before half time made it 2-2. Lee Hunt put the Lilywhites in front, but Ricky Evans levelled. Andy Moran then completed his first hat-trick for Rhyl and Marc Limbert's wonder goal on the volley from near the halfway line clinched a stunning win.
PORTHMADOG 6 GAP CONNAH'S QUAY 5 (Dec 27, 2008)
A remarkable game at the Traeth saw Porthmadog recover from 5-1 down to win 6-5 thanks to a 95th minute winner from the ever-lethal Marc Lloyd Williams.
The score was 5-1 to Quay with less than 20 minutes remaining.
BANGOR CITY 9 HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY 0 (May 14, 1994)
Going into their penultimate game Bangor needed a massive victory at Farrar Road to overhaul leaders Inter Cardiff's impressive goal difference - and they got it.
Jimmy Carberry's stunning 25-yarder completed a 9-0 win. This left City needing just a point from their final match at Porthmadog to win the title and they did the job in style with a 2-0 win.
RHYL 3 CONNAH'S QUAY NOMADS 4 (Sep 1, 2000)
Rhyl again but this time they lost on an emotion-charged Friday evening. The Lilies trailed 2-1 at half time, but goals from Lee Trundle (pen) and Martin Doherty edged the hosts in front. Steve Futcher equalised and with 11 minutes to go Jon Kenworthy won it for Nomads with an absolute screamer.
BANGOR CITY 6 BALA TOWN 3 (Dec 15, 2009)
Will there be a more exciting, incident-packed game this season? Bangor took the lead, but by half time Bala were 3-1 up. After the break came a remarkable City comeback, Ashley Stott and Dave Morley on target to make it 3-3, then three goals in the last four minutes, one from Chris Sharp and two from Jamie Reed, rounded off a thriller. Bala also had three players sent off.

CONNO UP TO SIXTH

2010-02-25T00:40:24Z

MARK CONNOLLY'S double for Rhyl against Bala Town tonight lifted him up to sixth in the club's all-time Welsh Premier goalscorers list.
Matthew Williams also recently entered the top 10.
With Lee Hunt having left the club, Andy Moran's record of 99 goals is likely to stand for a very long time.
RHYL FC - WELSH PREMIER GOALSCORERS LIST (up to and including Feb 24, 2010
1 Andy Moran 99
2 Lee Hunt 85
3 Danny Barton 41
4 Tim Steel 34
5 Gary Powell 28
6 * Mark Connolly 27
7 Tim Edwards 26
8 Chris McGinn 25
9 Gareth Wilson 24
10 * Matthew Williams 21
* = still playing for Rhyl

FIVE-STAR LILYWHITES CATCH FIRE

2010-02-24T23:41:14Z

RHYL 5 (Pearson 10, C Williams 14, Connolly 19 & 32, Turner 36)
BALA TOWN 2 (Toner 37 & 64)
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE - FEBRUARY 24, 2010
ONE of the finest goals seen at Belle Vue in this and many a season put Rhyl on their way to a brilliant win over in-form Bala tonight.
Defender Andrew Pearson, who has made a major impression since joining the Lilies in January, broke at pace from the back, played a slick one-two with Mark Connolly, then lashed into the roof of the net with a finish any striker would have been proud of.
Goals of this quality in the Welsh Premier are extremely rare, indeed how many defenders at any level of football are capable of scoring such a stunner!
Pearson's 10th minute wonder effort sparked a five-goal spell in 26 minutes which saw Rhyl play their best football since taking Bangor apart in the first half at Belle Vue last September.
And make no mistake - Bala are no mugs. There are a few who fancied the Lakesiders to cause an upset this evening, especially as they had recorded five wins in a row and fielded their strongest available team - contrary to rumour beforehand that manager Colin Caton might put out a weakened side with a Welsh Cup tie coming up at the weekend.
In the 14th minute the Lilywhites went 2-0 up when Pearson delivered a low centre from the right into Rob Turner whose shot was blocked, but the ball ran to an unmarked Chris Williams who fired in at the back post.
Five minutes later Connolly broke from midfield and the Bala defence backed off as the home side's top scorer advanced and struck an absolute beauty from 20 yards which dipped in under the crossbar. What a way to reach 50 competitive goals for Rhyl.
It was not just the goals, but the quality of the goals and the classiness of the attacking play which had the home crowd in raptures.
Rhyl should have made it four on 21 minutes when Connolly somehow headed wide from a Tyrone Kirk cross, then only an heroic stop from Town keeper Leon Bimpson denied Chris Williams from point blank range.
Bala finally managed to break out just past the half-hour when midfield wizard Ricky Evans picked out John Toner in space, but the veteran striker's shot flew straight at keeper Jack Cudworth.
A minute later Rhyl were rampant again, Turner slipping a lovely ball to Connolly who lifted the ball over the advancing keeper with the aid of a deflection to record his 24th goal of the campaign.
It was soon 5-0 when that man Pearson linked brilliantly with Chris Williams before hitting the low cross which saw Turner notch his fourth goal in six starts.
Within a minute Toner reduced the deficit for Bala and it could have been 5-2 prior to the break but for Cudworth's fantastic acrobatic save from an Evans volley.
HALF-TIME: 5-1.
It was always going to be difficult to match the tempo of the first half after the break and as a result the quality of play deteriorated and chances dried up at both ends.
Cudworth again pulled off a brilliant tip over from a Toner header on 51 minutes as Bala upped their game.
The Lakesiders did notch a second in the 64th minute when Warren Duckett's pass released Toner to score, but play should have been brought back for a foul on Connolly.
There were just a few flutters in the home hearts, but for all their possession Bala could not create another clear chance for the rest of the game.
Rhyl defended solidly, everyone did their jobs and in the closing stages the Lilies could have added to the total.
Substitute Greg Strong, who played the last 20 minutes up front with Russell Courtney, fired weakly at keeper Bimpson from a good position and there were calls for a penalty when Matthew Williams went down in trying to reach a deft Gareth Owen pass.
Rhyl moved back up to third and are now the top scorers in the Welsh Premier League!

RHYL: Cudworth, Pearson, Owens, Ojapah, Dowling, Owen, C Williams, Connolly, Turner (Strong 69), M Williams, Kirk (Courtney 46). Subs: Heenan, Pritchard.

MATCH FACTS
GOALS: Rhyl 5 Bala 2
ATTEMPTS: Rhyl 15 Bala 12
ON TARGET: Rhyl 9 Bala 6
CORNERS: Rhyl 4 Bala 5
YELLOW CARDS: Rhyl 0 Bala 1
RED CARDS: Rhyl 0 Bala 0
ATTENDANCE: 371
LO MAN OF THE MATCH:
Andrew Pearson (Rhyl)
One wonder goal, two assists, great defending.

GOALS (91): 24 - Mark Connolly; 15 - Matthew Williams; 13 - Lee Hunt; 6 - John Leah, Greg Strong; 5 - Chris Williams; 4 - Tyrone Kirk, Paul Smith, Rob Turner; 2 - George Horan, Phil Doran, Gareth Owen; 1 - Martyn Naylor, Greg Stones, Andy Owens, Andrew Pearson.

TURNER COULD BE BACK FOR BALA

2010-02-22T01:01:35Z

RHYL hope to have striker Rob Turner back for this Wednesday's home Welsh Premier League clash with Bala Town (7.30pm).
Turner, who has netted in three of his first five matches in a Lilywhites shirt and hit the woodwork in the two games where he failed to score, has missed the last two fixtures through injury.
Definitely out on Wednesday is midfielder John Leah, who is suspended for one game but may have been missing anyway after suffering a groin strain at Porthmadog on Saturday, and utility man Phil Doran, who serves the last of a three-match ban.
A fitness check will be required on defender Martyn Naylor.
Although Rhyl won 4-0 at Bala earlier in the season, the Lakesiders have produced some outstanding results of late, five wins on the bounce keeping them in the top eight and deservedly winning boss Colin Caton, the ex-Lilies defender, the January WPL Manager of the Month award.
RHYL FC RESULTS 2009/10
Aug 15 - Carmarthen Town (WPL - home) 2-1 (Strong, M Williams)
Aug 21 - Airbus UK Broughton (WPL - away) 2-2 (Hunt 2)
Aug 25 - Airbus UK Broughton (LC - a) 2-1 (Hunt, Owen)
Aug 29 - Port Talbot (WPL - h) 2-0 (M Williams, Hunt)
Sep 1 - Prestatyn Town (LC - h) 2-1 (Naylor, Connolly)
Sep 5 - Gap Connah's Quay (WPL - a) 2-0 (M Williams, Connolly)
Sep 11 - Bangor City (WPL - h) 5-1 (Hunt 2, M Williams pen, C Williams, Connolly)
Sep 19 - Newtown (WPL - a) 4-2 (M Williams 2, Strong, Connolly)
Sep 22 - Airbus (LC - h) 4-0 (Connolly 2, Kirk, Doran)
Sep 26 - Porthmadog (WPL - h) 4-0 (Connolly 3, Kirk)
Oct 3 - Llanfairpwll (WC-a) 3-1 (Connolly 2, Smith)
Oct 6 - Prestatyn Town (LC-a) 3-0 (Connolly, Hunt, C Williams)
Oct 9 - Bala Town (WPL-a) 4-0 (Smith, Doran, Horan, Hunt)
Oct 17 - Neath (WPL-a) 0-2
Oct 23 - Elements Cefn Druids (WPL-a) 1-1 (M Williams)
Oct 27 - Porthmadog (LCQF-a) 4-1 (Connolly 2, M Williams 2)
Oct 31 - Bridgend Town (WC-h) 4-2 (Connolly, M Williams, Strong, C Williams)
Nov 7 - Llanelli (WPL-h) 0-0
Nov 10 - Gap Connah's Quay (a-LCSF 1st leg) 1-2 (Connolly)
Nov 14 - Caersws (WPL-h) 3-1 (Connolly, Hunt 2)
Nov 17 - Gap Connah's Quay (h-LCSF 2nd leg) 4-0 (Connolly, Hunt, Smith 2)
Nov 22 - The New Saints (a-WPL) 0-4
Nov 29 - Haverfordwest County (a-WPL) 1-2 (Strong)
Dec 5 - Aberystwyth Town (a-WPL) 2-2 (Leah, Hunt)
Dec 12 - Technogroup Welshpool (h-WPL) 4-1 (Leah, C Williams, Hunt, Owen)
Dec 16 - Colwyn Bay (a-NWCC) 1-0 (Stones)
Dec 26 - Prestatyn Town (a-WPL) 0-0
Jan 2 - Prestatyn Town (h-WPL) 1-1 (Leah)
Jan 16 - Port Talbot (a-WPL) 1-2 (Turner)
Jan 23 - Gap Connah's Quay (h-WPL) 4-1 (Connolly, Horan, M Williams 2)
Jan 26 - Airbus UK Broughton (h-WPL) 2-1 (M Williams pen, Turner)
Jan 30 - Pontardawe Town (h-WCR4) 7-0 (Leah 3, Connolly 2, Turner, Kirk)
Feb 7 - Bangor City (a-WPL) 1-3 (M Williams pen)
Feb 14 - Newtown (h-WPL) 4-2 (Strong, M Williams, Owens, Kirk)
Feb 20 - Porthmadog (a-WPL) 2-0 (Strong, Connolly)

GOALS (86): 22 - Mark Connolly; 15 - Matthew Williams; 13 - Lee Hunt; 6 - John Leah, Greg Strong; 4 - Tyrone Kirk, Paul Smith, Chris Williams; 3 - Rob Turner; 2 - George Horan, Phil Doran, Gareth Owen; 1 - Martyn Naylor, Greg Stones, Andy Owens.

TRAGEDY OVERSHADOWS PROCEEDINGS AT Y TRAETH

2010-02-22T00:16:15Z

PORTHMADOG 0
RHYL 2 (Strong 24, Connolly 49)
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE - FEB 20, 2010
FOOTBALL became of secondary importance after news emerged that Porthmadog defender Mike Foster's wife Bethan had passed away on Sunday.
Hopes and minds of Port supporters were far from the Traeth on Saturday and focused on a hospital intensive care ward in Liverpool where Bethan was on a support machine fighting for her life.
With great sadness the club reported on their website that Bethan died at 5.30pm on Sunday.
"We extend our deepest and most sincere sympathy to Mike, the children and the whole family in their most sad and sudden loss," said a statement.
"The club and the whole of the wider community have been deeply shocked at the way in which a happy, lovely person has been so suddenly and cruelly taken from a family who meant so much to her.
"Bethan was, not only the wife of a footballer, but a keen fan herself, and she and children Ffion and Carwyn were familiar figures both at the Traeth and at away grounds where Port were playing."
After collapsing at her home on February 12, Bethan was taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd and then on to Walton, Liverpool.
Initially she showed signs of recovery which continued following an operation. But later in the week, her condition worsened suddenly and she was placed on a life support machine.
By Saturday the end became inevitable and the life support was turned off.
"The thoughts of supporters were far from the Traeth as the game they were witnessing became an irrelevance," added the Port website. "The club promises all possible support to Mike at this difficult time."
I know Rhyl fans will feel Mike Foster's loss deeply given the excellent relationship which exists between the clubs. I am sure everyone joins me in passing on our sincerest condolences to the Foster family at a time of great loss.
For the record Rhyl won Saturday's game at Y Traeth 2-0.
Player-manager Greg Strong, who came on after 12 minutes following an injury to John Leah, drove in the first goal with a left-footed strike which keeper Richard Morgan let squirm under his body.
Four minutes into the second half, Mark Connolly's superb free-kick brought him a 22nd goal of the season and made it 2-0.
Porthmadog, as always, put up a battle, but lacked the finishing power to turn neat approach play into goals.
Rhyl could have won by more but for some fine stops by Morgan and wayward finishing.
Rhyl: Jack Cudworth, Andy Pearson, Andy Owens, Philip Ojapah, Shaun Dowling, John Leah (Greg Strong 12, Russ Courtney 87), Gareth Owen, Mark Connolly, Matty Williams, Chris Williams, Tyrone Kirk. Subs not used: Sam Heenan, Paul Pritchard.

SECRETARY HITS OUT OVER LEAGUE CUP FARCE

2010-02-19T16:41:41Z

ARRANGEMENTS for the Loosemores League Cup final between Rhyl and The New Saints are still uncertain after the FAW suggested a new date of Sunday 9 May, reports www.welsh-premier.com
Rhyl have informed the league that this date is unacceptable with a number of players being unavailable and secretary Kevin Davies criticised the situation, saying: "It is very disappointing that, after several games had been re-arranged not once but on two separate occasions, we are no nearer resolving the date of what is, after all, a very prestigious competition.
"We understand, given the number of postponements due to bad weather that have occurred, the difficulties in arranging fixtures but surely a date could have been confirmed at the start of the season so that clubs would know in advance when the final was to be played, after all the semi-finals were completed in November.
"We have had discussions with The New Saints and have written to the secretary of the league, John Deakin, to suggest that the game be played on Tuesday 27 April at Airbus with a 7.30pm kick off and we hope that we receive a favourable response as soon as possible."

FOUR COULD RETURN FOR RHYL AT TRAETH

2010-02-19T16:20:55Z

PORTHMADOG v RHYL
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE
FEBRUARY 20, 2010
WELSH Premier League champions Rhyl could welcome back four key players for tomorrow's visit to lowly Porthmadog (2.30pm).
Winger Chris Williams and leading scorer Mark Connolly are due to return after suspension, while midfielder Gareth Owen and striker Rob Turner hope to be available again after injury. All four missed last Sunday's heroic 4-2 home win over Newtown.
However, the Lilywhites might be without Martyn Naylor, who picked up a painful knock in the Newtown game, while Phil Doran is banned for two more games.
Rhyl have beaten Porthmadog twice convincingly this season, 4-0 at home in the league and 4-1 at the Traeth in the League Cup, but Lilies player-boss Greg Strong is taking nothing for granted.
"Porthmadog are not a bad team," said Strong. "We've played them twice and they're not bad at all. It's a difficult place to go and we certainly won't be underestimating them - we know we're in for a battle."
Strong was delighted with last weekend's come-from-behind victory against Newtown which temporarily lifted the Lilywhites back into the top three.
New players such as full-backs Andy Owens and Andrew Pearson really basked themselves in glory and present the manager with welcome selection headaches.
"The lads played really well last week, especially in the second half," added Strong.
"We've got some good young players who are creating competition for places which is really healthy."
WELSH PREMIER HEAD-TO-HEAD
2009/10 - Rhyl 4 Porthmadog 0
2008/09 - Porthmadog 0 Rhyl 3; Rhyl 2 Porthmadog 0
2007/08 - Rhyl 1 Porthmadog 0; Porthmadog 1 Rhyl 0
2006/07 - Rhyl 2 Porthmadog 1; Porthmadog 1 Rhyl 2
2005/06 - Porthmadog 2 Rhyl 1; Rhyl 3 Porthmadog 0
2004/05 - Rhyl 3 Porthmadog 1; Porthmadog 0 Rhyl 3
2003/04 - Rhyl 6 Porthmadog 1; Porthmadog 0 Rhyl 2.
1997/98 - Porthmadog 0 Rhyl 2; Rhyl 1 Porthmadog 1.
1996/97 - Porthmadog 6 Rhyl 0; Rhyl 0 Porthmadog 1.
1995/96 - Porthmadog 0 Rhyl 0; Rhyl 0 Porthmadog 1.
1994/95 - Porthmadog 2 Rhyl 2; Rhyl 3 Porthmadog 4.
PLAYED: 21
WINS: Rhyl 12 Porthmadog 6; DRAWS: 3
GOALS: Rhyl 40 Porthmadog 22.