DESORMEAUX'S LATE STRIKE DECIDES IT
ASHVILLE FC 1 (Johnson 53)
RHYL 2 (White 37, Desormeaux 80)
SUBSTITUTE Danny Desormeaux's 80th minute strike sealed victory for a Rhyl side which should have won more emphatically.
The Lilywhites produced some good passing football at Villa Park, but at times lacked the killer ball in danger areas.
Craig Garside blasted over on six minutes before Jimmy Kelly and Andy Moran linked well to find Chris Roberts whose right-footer skimmed just wide.
In the 17th minute Matthew Holt's cross from the right picked out Moran in space six yards out, but the ball came at him too quickly and he was unable to hit the target.
Impressive Italian Gianluca Graziolo made a good run at the Ashville defence but fired over, then Michael White worked a decent shooting position but his shot cleared the bar.
Finally, on 37 minutes, Rhyl's domination was rewarded when a Holt throw-in from the right flicked off an Ashville head and White thundered a stunning scissors kick into the roof of the net.
Dave Cameron should have done better from a Roberts corner just before the interval but headed over.
Ashville were restricted to occasional counter attacks, but failed to trouble Paul Whitfield at all apart from the Rhyl keeper twice having to look sharp to clear weak back-passes.
Eight minutes into the second half the Wallasey hosts notched an unexpected equaliser when an offside looking Adam Johnson was allowed to race clear of the defence and drill home.
Graziolo had a low shot comfortably saved, then went very close with a right-foot drive before John Hulse took him off on the hour.
It should have been 2-1 to the Lilies in the 69th minute when Roberts' first-time cross picked out Cameron who badly miscued from eight yards.
Rhyl made several changes in the last 20 minutes and it was two substitutes who combined for the winner.
Desormeaux exchanged passes with Lee Hunt in the box before driving into the bottom corner to settle the issue.
RHYL (with performance marks):
Paul Whitfield: Didn't have to make a save but was sharp off his line when needed - 7.
Matthew Holt: Impressive at right-back, linked well with the attack - 8.
Chris Roberts: Excellent performance, marauded up and down the left touchline, put in some good crosses and defended soundly - 9 (MOM).
George Horan: Unbeatable in the air, comfortable on the ball apart from one ropey back pass - 8.
Carl Ruffer: His usual assured display at the back, enjoyed the odd foray forward - 8.
Michael White: Scored a great goal but did little else - 6.
Jimmy Kelly: Busy as a bee in the centre, always looking for the ball - 7.
Craig Garside: Got stuck in but not at his most influential - 6.
Dave Cameron: Looked rusty, touch was poor and finishing off-key - 6.
Andy Moran: Sharp on the ball, looked on his game again - 8.
Gianluca Graziolo: Was always involved, passed well and was unlucky not to score - 8.
SUBS:
Danny Desormeaux (for Kelly 45): Took his goal well and stamped authority in midfield - 7.
Craig Jones (for Graziolo 61): Saw plenty of ball down the right, but his deliveries were not up to much - 6.
Phil Coffin (for Moran 70): Lively but well marked - 6.
Lee Hunt (for Cameron 73): Laid on the winner and should have scored himself - 6.
Stuart Graves (for White 75): Slotted in well down the left - 6.
Mark Connolly (for Garside 75): Immediately influential on the right - 6.



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