HULSE REMAINS CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC

By Dave Jones on Feb 14, 08 05:56 PM

ALTHOUGH John Hulse believes a win over champions The New Saints at Belle Vue this Sunday will revive Rhyl's remote title hopes he still realistically sees the championship battle as a two-horse race.
Bangor City's shock defeat at Caersws on Saturday did the power of good to the Lilywhites' chances of finishing third and qualifying for Europe, while TNS' stunning 3-0 home loss to Carmarthen brought Rhyl closer to Ken McKenna's side although still eight points adrift.

The Lilies kept their own house in order by winning a tricky assignment at Airbus on Friday; with 10 games remaining the Belle Vue boys trail leaders Llanelli by 10 points.
"If we beat TNS it would give us a little bit of hope although I think we've left ourselves a bit too much to do," said Hulse.
"We can't do any more than get results between now and the end of the season and, if the top two do have blips, be there to take advantage.
"Llanelli and TNS still have to play each other twice so can take points off each other, but for us to have a chance of the title, it would mean the top two having three or four blips over the next 10 games and I can't see that happening to both.
"Results went our way at the weekend, but so-called experts seem to think the top four now will automatically be the top four at the end.
"I think there will be many swings and roundabouts and twists and turns before the end of the season.
"Carmarthen and Port Talbot are just below us and if ourselves or Bangor have a couple of bad results they and one or two others are more than capable of stepping up.
"I don't think anyone will break the top two, it's too large a gap, but we're not giving up and it's still all to play for."
Hulse will renew on-field rivalries with close friend McKenna on Sunday when the Saints visit Belle Vue. In league clashes against each other McKenna leads 6-2 with three draws, but the majority of tussles have been very close.
"We (the teams) know each other quite well and we always have close fought battles," added Hulse. "I don't think their loss to Carmarthen on Saturday will have any bearing on Sunday's outcome, they are full-time professionals and are always up for it against us."
Hulse was more than satisfied with Friday's victory at The Airfield which was achieved by a third minute Craig Jones strike and a typical Marc Lloyd Williams finish on 72.
"It was a comfortable 2-0 win on a heavy pitch," he opined. "We had a cast-iron penalty turned down in the first half and another one for handball in the second, so it could have been more emphatic.
"They (Airbus) didn't threaten us that much, I felt we were stronger and fitter, but credit to Lee Kendall for showing good concentration for making a great 90th minute save as he hadn't had a lot else to do."