LLANELLI TEST AWAITS THE LILYWHITES

By Dave Jones on Aug 24, 07 03:05 PM

RHYL v LLANELLI
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY, 2.30pm
ALTHOUGH Rhyl will have happy memories of their last meeting with Saturday's opponents Llanelli, the Lilywhites' recent record against the South Wales Reds is nothing to write home about.
Back in April, a 2-2 draw at Belle Vue was enough to clinch the Lilies second place in the WPL and a UEFA Cup spot, leaving Peter Nicholas' side having to be content with an Inter-Toto Cup berth.

Rhyl have not beaten Llanelli in their last five attempts, their most recent victory over the Reds coming in October 2004 when goals by Chris Adamson and Peter Smith sealed a 2-0 home success.
Overall, the Lilywhites also have a losing record in the Welsh Premier against the full-timers. Since 1994/95, the teams have met 18 times in the league, Llanelli winning seven and Rhyl five with six draws.
There have been quite a few changes in the Stebonheath Park camp in the summer. New signings include highly promising ex-Cwmbran striker Sam Small and midfielder Daniel Clare, while Spanish goal-getter Jacob Mingorance, midfielders Nicky Palmer and Neil Thomas, plus defender Dale Griffiths have all departed for pastures new. The Spanish connection is nowhere near as dominant as it once was.
Nicholas' squad still contains a vast amount of experience, with ex-Football League player Andrew Mumford and Wales-B international Gary Lloyd in the ranks, as well as Rhys Griffiths, Welsh Premier top scorer for the past two seasons.
But Rhyl also have a very strong pool of players this season, some would argue the strongest since John Hulse took over as manager in 2002.
New signings Lee Kendall, Carl Ruffer, Craig Garside, Craig Jones, Jimmy Kelly and Paul O'Neill have added considerably to the quality already at the club.
Both of Saturday's combatants performed well in Europe this season, albeit their efforts ending in heartbreak with defeats on away goals.
In the Inter-Toto Cup, Llanelli drew 6-6 on aggregate with Lithuanian outfit FK Vetra, winning 5-3 at home but going down 3-1 on their travels, while in the UEFA Cup, Rhyl defeated crack Finnish side FC Haka 3-1 at Belle Vue, but lost the return in Valkeakoski 2-0.
Tomorrow's game will be the main match on S4C's Clwb Pel Droed (7.30pm).
RHYL v LLANELLI - HEAD-TO-HEAD
2006/07 - Rhyl 2 Llanelli 2, Llanelli 6 Rhyl 0.
2005/06 - Llanelli 1 Rhyl 1, Rhyl 0 Llanelli 1.
2004/05 - Llanelli 2 Rhyl 1, Rhyl 2 Llanelli 0.
2002/03 - Llanelli 0 Rhyl 3, Rhyl 2 Llanelli 0.
2001/02 - Rhyl 1 Llanelli 1, Llanelli 0 Rhyl 3.
2000/01 - Rhyl 7 Llanelli 0, Llanelli 3 Rhyl 1.
1999/00 - Rhyl 1 Llanelli 3, Llanelli 7 Rhyl 0.
1995/96 - Llanelli 2 Rhyl 2, Rhyl 1 Llanelli 1.
1994/95 - Rhyl 2 Llanelli 2, Llanelli 5 Rhyl 2.