AWAY DAY JOY FOR LILYWHITES

By Dave Jones on Dec 1, 07 09:08 PM

PORT TALBOT 1 (Rose 90 pen)
RHYL 2 (Jones 7, Connolly 14)
HAVING lost on their last three visits to the Remax Stadium and facing a Port Talbot side who were unbeaten at home all season, Rhyl might have been classed slight underdogs going into this afternoon's clash, but the Lilywhites produced an inspired battling display to claim three vital points.
While the Lilies have unusually struggled at Belle Vue this season, they have been much more impressive on their travels, this being their seventh away victory in 10 starts in all competitions this term.

The visitors almost fell behind early on when first Paul O'Neill nearly put through his own goal, then Port striker Martin Rose clattered the crossbar with a well-struck effort.
It was against the run of play when on six minutes Mark Connolly's left-foot shot slipped from the grasp of home keeper Kristian Rogers and Craig Jones finished at the back post.
In the 14th minute Dave Cameron was fouled outside the area by Talbot's Leigh de Vulgt, and Connolly curled a rasping free-kick into the net - an eighth goal of the season for this in-form midfielder.
Rose went close again for the hosts, his low drive skidding just wide, before Cameron had two opportunities at the other end but weak shooting let him down both times.
Playing into the fierce wind and rain after the break, the visitors came under pressure at times but it was apparent it was not going to be the Steelmen's day when Lee John was guilty of a glaring miss from six yards.
Andy Moran fired just over the bar, then Lee Kendall grasped Scott Barrow's shot at the second attempt and was clattered by Liam McCreesh for his trouble, the offender fortunate just to get a yellow card. Had it been Lee Hunt (had he been playing) who did this, it would have been interesting to see the referee's reaction.
Two minutes into injury time Gareth Wilson hacked down Sam Baker in the box - conceding his second penalty in successive league matches - and Rose put away the spot-kick.
Seconds later Port had a second penalty claim turned down and Rhyl held on for the points.
The game was the featured match on S4C's Clwb Pel Droed, and afterwards John Hulse said he was delighted with the result but a little disappointed at the way his side chased a third killer goal when better ball retention was the order of the day.
Port's new manager Nicky Tucker commented that a draw would have been a fairer result, but stressed no team can afford to give a side like Rhyl a two-goal start.
RHYL: Kendall, Jones, Holt, Connolly, Horan, O'Neill, Wilson, Graves, Cameron (Sharp 75), Moran, Roberts (White 81). Unused sub: Powell.