RESERVES FIGHTBACK SEALS SEMI-FINAL PLACE

Having lost 4-1 at Llanrug in the Cookson Cup earlier this month and been held to a 2-2 home draw in the league by the Caernarfon-area side this term, a win for the Lilywhites over Aled Owen's men was long overdue.
The hosts totally controlled the first 25 minutes of this Barritt Cup tussle without testing Llanrug's huge keeper Aled Williams.
Left-back Matthew Roberts made a great run into the box but mis-kicked at the key moment, Adrian Moody and Mitchell Booth hit efforts off target, and Dylan Owen went closest with a free-kick.
It was totally against the run of play when Llanrug scored from their first attack. Terry Williams and Carl Griffiths linked nicely before Owain Morris drove into the bottom corner from the edge of the box past a static Paul Whitfield.
Two minutes later it got worse when Griffiths crossed to the back post and Morris headed in his second.
After dominating the play it was totally unjust Rhyl found themselves 2-0 down, but Simon Sedgwick's men showed great character to fight their way back into the tie.
On 32 minutes a lovely lay-back from the right by Owen was met by Booth who drilled into the left-hand corner from 15 yards.
Williams denied a Dave Cameron header with his legs, but in the 41st minute the home side pulled level.
A sublime Cameron back-heel released Sam Shorrocks in the box and he finished clinically from an acute angle.
Aaron Bailey could have put Llanrug back in front when he had a free header from a David Noel Williams corner but missed the target.
Simon Holloway should have edged Rhyl ahead just before the break when the defence opened up for him, but he blazed over with his right foot.
Just seconds after the turnaround the Lilies struck a crucial blow when Owen's centre from the right was headed home by the predatory Booth, who netted his 14th goal of the season.
Rhyl were now rampant, Mike Roose mis-kicking six yards out from a Cameron cross, then Holloway turned sharply but drove wide from just outside the box.
Williams saved well from Roose, then at the other end a wayward Andy Davies header put Jon Sadler in the clear, but Whitfield pushed his shot past the post.
Whitfield was called upon again soon after when he tipped a DN Williams free-kick over, then he did well to hold a Terry Williams close-range attempt.
United custodian Williams now turned on the style, thwarting Roose with his feet, then just managing to keep out a goalbound Booth chip.
Roose's header was acrobatically tipped away by the ever-impressive Williams before Whitfield made his best save, brilliantly grasping a Terry Williams header from a Griffiths cross.
It was not Roose's day as the 25-goal striker missed by inches with an overhead kick and blasted over from close range.
In a second-half dominated by the keepers, Whitfield rushed out of his area to smother Terry Williams' attempted chip late on.
Rhyl deserved to win the tie, although they will be the first to acknowledge Llanrug are always a tough nut to crack.
The Lilywhites are now away to Nefyn United or Llandudno Junction in the semi-finals.
RHYL RESERVES LINE-UP (with performance indicators):
Paul Whitfield: Static for the opening goal, but produced some wonderful saves thereafter - 8.
Andy Davies: Solid more than spectacular - 7.
Matthew Roberts: Good strong running and committed in the tackle but distribution could have been better - 7.
Adie Moody: Commanding in the air in both boxes - 7.
Matthew Holt: Won plenty of aerial ball, improved as game went on - 7.
Sam Shorrocks: Great engine and took his goal well - 8.
Dylan Owen: Crossing was top class and laid on two goals - 9 (MAN OF THE MATCH)
Mitchell Booth: Two excellent goals and inspirational throughout - 8.
Mike Roose: Out of luck. Could have had a hat trick but for heroics of Aled Williams - 8.
Dave Cameron: Gave the Llanrug defence nightmares with his slick passing, lay-offs, ability to hold the ball up, and power in the air - 9.
Simon Holloway: Shooting off key, but impressive on the ball - 7.
SUBS:
Alec Williams (for Roberts 80); Dan Evans (for Holloway 83); Brett Jones (for Davies 90).