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SEASON ENDS ON HIGH NOTE

By Dave Jones on Apr 27, 07 10:29 PM

CONNAH'S QUAY NOMADS 0
RHYL 2 (Moran 72, Swanick og 80)
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE
THE longer this game went on, the more it became obvious Rhyl were destined to end their season on a winning note.
John Hulse's men completed a double over Nomads and achieved their ambition of finishing the campaign with the least number of defeats in the Welsh Premier.

The Lilywhites lost just one of their last 21 league matches, and it was probably only the fact seven of those games ended in draws which cost them the championship.
The first-half at Cae y Castell was pretty even with Nomads carving out the better openings, but Rhyl causing the most problems for the opposing goalkeeper.
In the fifth minute Craig Garside volleyed just over after a Phil Molyneaux long throw caused anxiety in the Lilies defence.
On 11 minutes the excellent Adam Dickinson worked himself some space, but his right-foot shot was deflected behind for a corner.
Rhyl's first threat came on 18 minutes when Mark Connolly's well-struck 25 yard free-kick was brilliantly tipped past the post by ex-Lilywhites keeper Paul Smith.
Moments later a slack pass from Connolly in midfield allowed Dickinson to put Molyneaux in on goal, but the striker's first touch was too firm and Paul Whitfield was able to collect comfortably.
On 21 minutes Whitfield failed to gather Gary Lovell's high cross and Molyneaux squared to Garside whose weak attempt to find the gaping net was cleared by James Brewerton.
Paul Roberts had his best game yet in a Rhyl shirt and in the 31st minute he showed pure class to bring down a Chris Roberts pass and launch a first-time shot, but Smith again performed marvels to palm over the bar.
Just before the break Marc Limbert's deep cross to the back post picked out Dickinson, but he failed to hit the target.
Nomads had two golden opportunities at the start of the second-half, but weak finishing cost them dear.
First, Dickinson sent over a tantalising chip from the right which Whitfield could only push into the path of Gary Pinch, but his powder-puff shot was easily gathered by the visiting custodian.
Then, more great work by Dickinson presented Paul Carvill with a nailed-on shooting chance. He dallied too long, but nonetheless put in a neat cross for an unmarked Molyneux who could only head the ball into the ground and again made life easy for Whitfield.
That was as good as it got for Quay - they had had their chances and failed to take them.
Rhyl took over, Paul Roberts working the ball on to his left-foot only to see Lovell deflect his shot over the bar.
Dave Cameron then laid the ball into the path of Conall Murtagh who created a clear shooting position just inside the box but failed to trouble Smith.
The goal was coming, though, and on 72 minutes the Lilies broke the deadlock.
Nomads failed to clear a Connolly corner from the left and Andy Moran lashed home the loose ball from six yards, his shot flicking in off the head of Pinch.
Quay's heads appeared to drop and 10 minutes from time Moran's drive across the area was put into his own net by defender Dave Swanick with substitute Lee Hunt ready to pounce.

RHYL TEAM (with performance marks):

Paul Whitfield: For all Quay's pressure at times he was never forced to make a serious save - 7.
Mark Powell: Unsung hero was outstanding yet again, never put a foot wrong and used the ball much better than most others - 8.
Ross Stephens: Worked hard in a competitive midfield. Replaced on 61 minutes - 7.
Mark Connolly: His outstanding engine broke up many Nomads attacks and he looked a threat going forward - 8.
Matthew Holt: Did a great job deputising for the injured George Horan, no frills, always decisive and positional sense was tremendous - 8.
James Brewerton: Put in many a crunching tackle to thwart the Nomads forwards - 8.
Paul Roberts: Best game in a Rhyl shirt. Classy touches and always ready to shoot. Sharp and confident - 8.
Dave Cameron: Faced good opponents in Chris Williams and Craig Hutchinson. Not his usual dominant self but put in customary 100% effort - 7.
Andy Moran: Nice to see him back on the scoresheet. Slick on occasions but not always on his mettle - 7.
Conall Murtagh: In a keenly-contested midfield he was once again relentless. Showed his class on the ball - 8.
Chris Roberts: Absolute stormer of a game from this consistent performer. Won most of his tackles on the ground and the deck, picked his passes well - 9 (MAN OF THE MATCH).
Subs:
Mitchell Booth (for Stephens 61): Deserved his chance and took it, helping Rhyl gain eventual midfield domination - 7.
Lee Hunt (for P Roberts 68): Came through unscathed, unsettled the Nomads defence - 6.
Gareth Wilson (for Murtagh 87): The game was won by the time he came on.

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