RHYL OUT OF UEFA CUP ON AWAY GOALS

It was backs to the wall in the opening half as Haka piled on the pressure, but Rhyl defended resolutely with man of the match Carl Ruffer absolutely outstanding, and come the interval it was 0-0. The nearest the Valkeakoski outfit came was when Mark Connolly headed off the line.
With the hour mark passed, Rhyl fans were dreaming of a second UEFA Cup tie victory in three seasons, but then it all went wrong.
On 63 minutes, Mikko Innanen netted with a long-range screamer, then two minutes later Haka's record goalscorer Valeri Popovitch toe-poked home past a static John Gann.
One goal would have been enough to send Rhyl through and there was a decent chance for Andy Moran near the end but he failed to get enough purchase on the ball.
Try as they did, there was no way back for Rhyl and their European adventure is over for another year - but what an heroic effort it was.
That 3-1 first-leg victory at Belle Vue will never be forgotten and their close season performances augur well for the campaign ahead in the Welsh Premier.
RHYL: John Gann, Mark Powell (Matthew Holt 90), James Brewerton, Mark Connolly, George Horan, Carl Ruffer, Craig Garside (Dave Cameron 75), Jimmy Kelly, Lee Hunt, Andy Moran, Stuart Graves.
HAKA: Dovbnya, Kangaskorpi, Okkonen, Parviainen, Holopainen, Kauppila, Fowler, Innanen,Manninen (Strandvall 63), Popovitch, Lehtinen (Mahlakaarto 90).
ATTENDANCE: 1565
REFEREE: Alexei Nikolaev (Russia)