FANTASTIC START FOR RESERVES

By Dave Jones on Aug 19, 07 12:38 PM

PWLLHELI 1 (Farr 43)
RHYL RESERVES 3 (Roose 17, Coffin 48, 55)
ON a ground where they lost 2-1 on the opening day of last season, Rhyl's new management team of Jon Stazicker and James Ainsworth could not have wished for a better start.
Two goals from first-team squad signing Phil Coffin and another by the prolific Mike Roose got the Lilywhites' campaign in the Welsh Alliance off to a tremendous beginning.

Rhyl were fired up from the first whistle, Mitchell Booth setting up Liam Murray for an early shot which was well saved by home keeper Andrew Parry.
Alec Williams went close with a couple of efforts before Booth made a great run to latch on to a Mike Roose pass, but although he chipped the stranded keeper, Jason Jones was able to clear off the line.
Phil Coffin, Roose and Sam Brewerton also had good attempts in an opening quarter the Lilywhites totally dominated.
It was no surprise when the visitors took the lead on 17 minutes, Sean Morgan hitting a superb long pass into the area which Roose met ahead of keeper Parry, his chip-volley making it 1-0.
Parry performed marvels to keep out a Coffin 20-yard stinger, and the ex-Poulton Victoria striker then went on a mazy run only to blast into the side netting.
The chances kept coming, Morgan finding Roose who looked set to score when the keeper hesitated, but the ball went just wide.
It was against the run of play when Pwllheli equalised just before the break, a quickly-taken free-kick controversially given against Tom Roberts allowing David Farr to score.
Rhyl deserved so much better and within three minutes of the restart they were 2-1 in front.
Booth made a good run and fed Roose who crossed to Coffin, and although he did not make the best of connections, the ball still found the net.
When Brewerton went off injured, teenager Roberts switched from centre-half to midfield and was again outstanding, his 25-yarder looking a goal all the way only for the heroics of Parry to deny him.
Pwllheli fought back and the bravery and agility of Rhyl keeper Jamie Jones was twice tested, but as usual he let no-one down.
Then in the last five minutes, the Lilywhites settled it. Coffin took on a bounce ball, went on a great solo run and beat the keeper to claim his second and Rhyl's third.
RHYL RESERVES: Jamie Jones, Sean Morgan, Joe Ahern, Adam France, Tom Roberts, Sam Brewerton (Scott Millington), Alec Williams, Mitchell Booth, Phil Coffin, Mike Roose, Liam Murray. Unused subs: Tom Bonnet, Ian Billingsley