MIND THE GAP!
RHYL v GAP QUEENS PARK
WELSH CUP QUARTER-FINAL
SATURDAY 2.30pm
ANYONE expecting Rhyl to have an easy passage into the Welsh Cup semi-finals this weekend would do well to remember last season's competition, says Lilywhites manager John Hulse.
In a major shock, the Lilies went out 1-0 in the 2006/07 third round at Ton Pentre, who play in the Welsh League - the equivalent level to Saturday's opponents GAP Queens Park.
Currently sixth in the Cymru Alliance, Wrexham-based GAP have a number of ex-Welsh Premier players in their ranks including former Rhylite Ricky Evans, Colin Quirk, Kevin Leech and Steve Cowap.
"People have been coming up to me talking about the semi-finals already but nothing could be further from my mind," said Hulse.
"I will be reminding the players this week about what happened at Ton Pentre last season and stressing there will be no room for complacency.
"I've watched Queens Park myself - against Buckley recently - and have had good reports about them off people from their league.
"We will be putting as much effort into preparing for Saturday's tie as we would if we were playing the top two TNS or Llanelli."
Hulse was impressed by what he saw of GAP in their 7-1 win at Globe Way on February 13.
"They have a lot of decent players," he opined.
"In Ricky Evans and Colin Quirk they have two players capable of turning it on against any side and in my opinion they should, in Ricky's case especially, still be playing in the League of Wales.
"The way they play I don't expect them to defend deep and look to hit us on the counter as some Welsh Premier sides do.
"They like to play in the opposition's half and won't be coming for a draw as there has to be a result on the day. It's going to be a very difficult test."
To reach the last eight GAP have eliminated Pwllheli (4-3), Penrhyncoch (3-1), Afan Lido (3-1) and Caerleon (2-0), while Rhyl have seen off Montgomery Town (10-0), Port Talbot Town (1-0) and Haverfordwest County (2-1).
Last season's Queens Park were the Cymru Alliance whipping boys, but with new sponsorship from GAP Personnel and considerable resources being pumped into the club, they are much improved this term.
Rhyl hope to have defender Matthew Holt available following injury while Chris Roberts should also come into contention after missing Saturday's defeat at Welshpool through work commitments.
Gareth Wilson and Stuart Graves, who returned to first team action on Saturday after several weeks out injured, are also expected to remain in the squad.
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Not exactly the equivalent of Ton Pentre. TP are consistently at the top of their league and would be in the WPL if they so chose. TP were also playing at home. Of course, guard against complacency and fight for efvery ball but anything less than a comfortable win would raise major questions at BV