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HUNT HAUNTS THE DRUIDS AGAIN

By Dave Jones on Mar 23, 07 11:30 PM

NEWI CEFN DRUIDS 2 (Edwards 21, Iniabere 73)
RHYL 3 (Hunt 11, 16; C Roberts 66)
Chris Roberts celebrates Rhyl's third goal HOTSHOT Lee Hunt kept up his remarkable scoring record against Druids with a crucial double strike in Friday night's victory.

Rhyl's leading marksman Hunt made it seven goals in four visits to Plaskynaston and took his total to 18 for the season.
John Hulse's men were excellent value for their win, indeed had it not been for the heroics of Cefn keeper Carl Edwards, the final margin would have been much greater.
Criticism has been levelled at the standard of football the Lilywhites have produced in recent times, but on this night they oozed exciting, attacking play with front men Hunt and Andy Moran especially impressive.
The visitors went for the jugular from the start and could have been 3-0 up within the first eight minutes.
Mark Connolly's free-kick was pushed away by Edwards and from the resulting corner, Connall Murtagh's fierce strike was well held by the keeper.
Murtagh and Connolly then combined well to release Moran in the box, but his shot ballooned up off the legs of Carl Edwards and to safety.
With Druids looking shaky at the back a Lilies goal was inevitable and it arrived on 11 minutes.
Connolly made a dynamic 80-yard run down the left and sent the sublimest of crosses into the box to Moran whose strike beat the keeper, but the ever-alert Hunt forced the ball over the line.
Five minutes later it was 2-0 when the home defence failed to deal with a Chris Roberts free-kick from the right, and Hunt lashed into the bottom corner from 10 yards.
But on 21 minutes Druids responded when a tantalising free-kick from the left by Osian Jones skidded across the area and evaded everyone except ex-Rhyl skipper Timmy Edwards who finished at the back post.
Jones sent a dipping effort just over as the Ancients sought an equaliser, but the visitors finished the half the stronger.
Mark Powell's brilliantly disguised cross from the right was met on the volley by Moran, but Edwards kept the ball out with his body.
Right on the interval Powell linked nicely with Moran and drove a left-footer just wide from 20 yards.
HALF TIME: Druids 1 Rhyl 2.
The Lilywhites laid siege to the Cefn goal after the break, a Roberts free-kick being well saved at his near post by Edwards and Moran was unable to convert the rebound via an acute angle.
On 59 minutes Hunt let fly with a volley in the box, but Edwards smothered bravely.
Moran was unlucky not to win a penalty for handball before Rhyl scored a beauty on 66 minutes to make it 3-1.
The detractors who claim the Lilies are solely long-ball merchants were made to eat their words as Alex Hay, Moran and Murtagh exchanged slick passes before Roberts netted against his old club with a neat left-foot strike into the bottom right-hand corner.
It should have been 4-1 when Hunt turned sharply in the box, but Edwards produced a fine reaction save to thwart his left-foot rocket.
Then from a quick counter, Roberts and Hunt linked to put Moran through, but that man Edwards did brilliantly to deny the striker, diving courageously at his feet
Totally against the run of play Druids notched a second when Andrew Iniabere headed home a loose ball to make it 3-2, but that was as good as it got for Dixie McNeil's men.
Rhyl had opportunities to add to their total before the end, but had to settle for a 3-2 triumph which took them to within three points of leaders TNS.
RHYL LINE-UP (with performance indicators)
John Gann: Static when Druids scored their first goal, otherwise did not have a save to make - 6.
Mark Powell: Took his knocks and was particularly impressive when joining the attack - 8.
Chris Roberts: Very impressive at set pieces and a great first goal against his old club - 9.
Mark Connolly: His run and cross which laid on the opening goal was fantastic. One of his best games for some time, tremendous energy all over the pitch - 8.
George Horan: Strong in the air and on the deck, gave the Druids strikers little change - 7.
James Brewerton: Same as above - 7.
Gareth Wilson: Full of effort as always but not one of his better games on the ball - 7.
Andy Moran: Outstanding. Sharp as a tack and would have scored a hat-trick but for the heroics of keeper Edwards - 9 (MAN OF THE MATCH)
Lee Hunt: Two more goals against the long-suffering Druids. Ran the Cefn defence ragged - 8.
Connall Murtagh: His ball distribution was very impressive, full of industry - 8.
Alex Hay: Constantly ran at the Druids defence but his end product was not always the best - 7.
SUBS (none used):
Ross Stephens, Paul Roberts, Dave Cameron.

1 Comments

belle vue boy said:

Good report Dave, Nice work !!

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Dave Jones

Dave Jones - For all the latest news from Rhyl Football Club, including match reports, news, views and features log on to Lilywhites On-Line hosted by Visitor sports editor Dave Jones.

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