GRIFFITHS DOUBLE SINKS THE LILIES
LLANELLI 2 (Griffiths 66 pen, 71)
RHYL 1 (Hunt 34)
IT looked promising for Rhyl at half time when they held a 1-0 lead, but then a familiar name turned things around after the break.
Llanelli's prolific marksman Rhys Griffiths netted a second half double to further damage the Lilywhites' fast-fading title ambitions.
Even Lilies manager John Hulse admitted after the game second or third place is now the most realistic target. After today's result Rhyl trail leaders TNS by a massive 12 points.
With Chris Roberts and Mark Connolly out injured, the Lilies needed a pre-match reshuffle, Chris Sharp being promoted to the starting line-up.
In a first half of few chances at Stebonheath Park, the visitors took a 34th minute lead. Stuart Graves broke down the left and picked out Sharp unmarked on the right side of the box.
Sharp's fierce shot was beaten out by keeper Ryan Lewis, but Lee Hunt pounced to head home.
Early in the second half Rhyl had a great chance for a crucial second goal when Andy Moran crossed low into the box, but Hunt was unable to make the right connection under pressure from Craig Jones.
The match turned on 65 minutes. A typical long throw into the box by Andy Legg was initially cleared, Griffiths' volley was blocked, but as he tried to control the ball Graves made a catching motion which prompted the referee to point to the spot.
Griffiths put away the penalty and it got even worse five minutes later for the Lilywhites.
Andrew Mumford found Mark Pritchard on the left and his cross with the outside of his left foot was headed in by an unmarked Griffiths - his 22nd league goal of the season.
Rhyl went desperately close to a late equaliser when substitute Dave Cameron headed Graves' cross against the bar, then from the follow-up it appeared Hunt's shot was handled.
Mark Jones almost notched a third for Llanelli when he drove inches wide before the final whistle blew on another disappointing result for Rhyl against the top three.
Rhyl: Kendall, Holt, O'Neill, Sharp (White 90), Horan, Ruffer, Jones, Wilson (Cameron 86), Moran, Hunt, Graves. Unused sub: Powell.
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