MISSED CHANCES COST RHYL MAXIMUM POINTS

By Dave Jones on Apr 14, 07 10:35 PM

CARMARTHEN TOWN 1 RHYL 1
DESPITE missing key players Rhyl should have taken maximum points at Richmond Park but paid the price for poor finishing.
On a rock-hard, dust bowl of a pitch described by one onlooker as "resembling something from an African desert", John Hulse's men failed to take full advantage of slip-ups by leaders TNS and third-placed Connah's Quay.

After just two minutes the Lilywhites made the perfect start.
Mark Connolly's throw-in was flicked on by Alex Hay, Lee Hunt received the ball with his back to goal, lobbed it over his head, and Dave Cameron was there to nod home.
Two minutes later it was nearly two when Ross Stephens' free-kick was glanced on to his own bar by Mark Dodds.
Carmarthen then began to make an impression, the lively Kaid Mohamed working the ball on to his right foot, but his powerful drive was beaten away by Paul Whitfield.
On 34 minutes came the equaliser after a controversial free-kick was awarded against James Brewerton for a dubious handball.
Mohamed's 25-yard hit ballooned up off the Rhyl wall, making contact with a raised arm, and referee Darren Adie awarded a penalty which Tom Ramasut put away.
After the break Mohamed's trickery in the box created him a clear chance, but Whitfield denied him with his legs.
As the game wore on Rhyl's superior strength showed and they had numerous opportunities to clinch the points.
Cameron made a great run down the right, showed superb determination to set up Stephens, but with the goal gaping the midfielder sliced hopelessly off target.
Stephens' through ball then put Hunt free with only keeper Neil Thomas to beat. Surely Rhyl's top scorer would find the net....but no, he completely miskicked as well although the bobbly pitch did not help his cause.
The best chance of all fell to Hay late on. Mark Powell played the ball into the area, the Town defence was nowhere, but Hay turned and somehow blasted over.
Rhyl were denied a stonewall penalty near the end when Connall Murtagh's effort was blatantly handled in the box, but infuriatingly referee Adie waved play on.
With TNS stunningly losing at home to Caernarfon, a Rhyl win might have sewn just a seed of doubt in the surely title-bound Saints' minds, but it was not to be.
RHYL: Whitfield, Powell, Brewerton, Connolly, Holt, Stephens, Wilson, Cameron, Hunt, Murtagh, Hay. Subs: Moran, P Roberts, Booth. Att: 301.