HUNT HEADER SEALS NINE IN A ROW FOR RHYL
BANGOR CITY 0
RHYL 1 (Hunt 72)
LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP GROUP TWO
LEE Hunt's 72nd minute header secured Rhyl their ninth straight victory over Bangor tonight (Tuesday).
In a tight, physical game at Farrar Road, the Lilywhites nearly always had the upper hand in the attacking sense and deservedly claimed three points.
Rhyl made a storming start and could have wrapped the game up inside the first six minutes.
In just the third minute, Dave Cameron's cross picked out Hunt in acres of space in the box but his somewhat weak header failed to trouble ex-team mate Paul Smith in the City goal.
Moments later Stuart Graves' centre from the left came to an unmarked Craig Jones who looked certain to score, but dragged his effort wide.
Craig Garside, who was denied by two wonder saves from Carmarthen's Neil Thomas on Saturday, was cursing his luck again when his left-foot screamer was brilliantly tipped away by Smith.
Shellshocked City finally started to settle and began to make some impression in attack.
From a Marc Limbert corner on the right, the ball reached Sion Edwards who drove a fierce shot which was deflected on to the post and behind for another flag-kick.
Rhyl's fluency deserted them and the game became scrappy, Bangor threatening again when Tommy Mutton just failed to connect with a Les Davies cross from six yards out.
Paul O'Neill, who had a mixed reception from the City fans, was booked just before the break for a deliberate foul on Edwards.
The second-half was slow starting, but Rhyl were now in the ascendency. Bangor had shot their bolt and for the most part were forced to defend deep.
Limbert resorted to diving in frustration at seeing so little of the ball and he was booked for this offence on the hour following an innocuous Chris Roberts challenge.
Davies turned sharply on the edge of the Rhyl box and hit a firm left-footer which Lee Kendall needed two attempts to hold, but that was the only time the visiting keeper was in any way inconvenienced.
Then on 72 minutes came the Rhyl goal which had been on the cards.
Garside broke from midfield, fed the ever-influential Jones on the right and his pinpoint cross was headed in by Hunt from inside the six-yard box.
Bangor tried to rally but offered nothing in the danger areas and the visitors looked more likely to score again on the break.
The only other thing to report was some vile behaviour by young Bangor followers, one of whom threw a bottle into the group of Rhyl fans behind the bottom goal. Several of these morons were ejected by Bangor stewards who seemed to be on the case pretty quickly.
RHYL PERFORMANCE MARKS:
Lee Kendall: His kicking was wayward, but handling was sound. No serious shots to save - 7.
Craig Jones: Confidence grew as the game went on and his pace made life hell for the City defence. Great cross for the goal - 9 (MOM).
Chris Roberts: Tended to overhit the ball at times and looked a little jumpy in possession occasionally, but stuck to his task well - 7.
Paul O'Neill: Was never found wanting in what was at times a hostile atmosphere. Had a few problems with Edwards' pace, but generally stayed on top of things - 7.
George Horan: His aerial dominance was needed more than once. Solid as a rock - 8.
Carl Ruffer: With his experience and awareness he's worth two defenders, quality display once again - 8.
Gareth Wilson: Bit off the pace at times, but put the graft in in the midfield - 7.
Craig Garside: Desperately unlucky not to score, very influential in the centre and used the ball well - 8.
Lee Hunt: Great finish for the goal. His physical presence gave the City back line all they could handle and more - 8.
Dave Cameron: Did not get much protection from the referee, wholehearted but his lay-offs were not to their usual standard and he generally toiled in difficult circumstances - 7.
Stuart Graves: Some good moments on the left, gave the Bangor defence plenty to think about - 8.
SUBSTITUTES:
Matthew Holt (for O'Neill 86)
Andy Moran (for Cameron 90)
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