GRIFFITHS HAT-TRICK DESTROYS LILYWHITES
LLANELLI 5 (Corbisiero 7, Griffiths 46, 80 pen, 89, Pritchard 58)
RHYL 2 (Hunt 45, 78)
WELSH CUP SEMI FINAL - PLAYED AT PARK AVENUE, ABERYSTWYTH
THE unstoppable Rhys Griffiths broke Rhyl's hearts yet again with a clinical hat-trick in today's Welsh Cup semi-final at Park Avenue.
The Lilywhites were level at 1-1 going into half time and had the momentum entering the second period, but two goals in 13 minutes after the restart swung things Llanelli's way.
Llanelli made the ideal start after seven minutes when Craig Jones' cross to the back post found an unmarked Mark Pritchard; his shot was saved by Lee Kendall but Antonio Corbisiero snapped up the rebound from close range.
The first 20 minutes were dominated by the South Wales Reds, but following an injury to the influential Corbisiero, who was carried off on a stretcher, the complexion of the tie changed.
Greg Stones and Michael White had powerful shots kept out by Llanelli's rookie keeper Ryan Lewis before Hunt's equaliser.
Rhyl carried the impetus going into the second stanza, but received a hammer blow inside the first minute when Griffiths - with his first chance of the game - lashed home a left foot stunner from outside the box.
In the 58th minute Craig Jones' pass released Pritchard who drilled a precision strike beyond the diving Kendall - 3-1 and game virtually over. Mark Connolly was blatantly fouled in the build-up but the referee seemed to miss it.
Chris Holloway rattled the underside of the Rhyl bar before the Lilywhites grabbed a lifeline.
With 78 minutes on the clock a long ball from the back by George Horan was completely missed by the Llanelli defence and Hunt fired in his 25th goal of the season.
Optimism in the Lilies camp dipped immediately, though, when Kendall was harshly adjudged to have brought down Pritchard and Griffiths made no mistake from the spot.
Michael White had a good chance to pull one back but not for the first time in the tie his shooting let him down when he lashed over the top.
In the final minute Pritchard fed the ball across the six-yard box for an offside looking Griffiths to complete his trio.
RHYL TEAM: Lee Kendall, Carl Ruffer, Chris Roberts (Gary Powell 76), Mark Connolly (Gareth Wilson 68), George Horan, Paul O'Neill, Craig Jones, Greg Stones, Lee Hunt, Chris Sharp, Michael White.
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I,m a football neutral but decided to watch the game on telly yesterday as I had nothing better to do.The most noticable thing about Rhyl's football tactics is that there wer'nt any!!! I have never seen the big boot used so much in 50years of watching football. Every chance Rhyl had the ball was passed to their goalkeeper who then proceeded to launch it as far as he could, usually onto one of the Llanelli centre backs heads, those poor lads must have serious headaches today. How on earth RFC manage to attract the crowds that they do (in comparison to other WPL clubs) is a marvellous testomony to your fanbase but does not say a lot if you are happy to watch this type of game week on week.I will admit that the pitch conditions were not wonderful but in fairness Llanelli did try to play football and pass the ball which obviously did pay dividends as they were the victors.
If this was a one off tactic that your manager used for this particular match then obviously it did not pay off but if you are watching this gameplan every week then all I can say is "God help you"
Oh what a disappointing performance, only watched it on the tele, had me exasperated, time I think we all agreed "the squad is just not good enough to challenge the big boys" some defensive howlers by what has been our strength this season, George Horan and his defence. Most frustrated player on the afternoon must have been the dynamic Craig Jones, yet again as has been the case all season, ignored by his colleagues and starved of decent ball. Has'nt anyone worked it out (Hulsie included) give this lad consistant ball and he will hurt defences and provide the service Hunt and colleagues crave for? Be careful Rhyl my reading of the situation is that you may struggle to hold onto the little maestro as bigger clubs must be 'licking their lips' in anticipation of snapping him up. 'What a talent' the only bright note on what has been a drab season.
At last a fan that appears to watch the same matches as me. Thank you Mr Mc.Manus for endorsing what myself and fellow supporters that sit in the main stand believe, far to much emphasis on the 'long ball' granted there appears to be a valid case most of the in by-passing a woefully inadequate midfield, but surely by doing this you isolate wingers such as White and Jones?, whats the point of Messrs Hunt, Williams and Sharp constantly looking over their shoulders towards the sky looking for the ball?
Ewan, I think you should have done the gardening or washed your horse & cart on Sunday mate. Rhyl matched Llanelli in the first half, but seemed to run out of steam in the second half. Admittedly, it wasn't the most scintillating 90 minutes and to be candid, Rhyl haven't exactly set the footballing world alight all season. But for a part-time outfit, facing the perennial problem of poor pitches, I can't doubt the pride and passion. That'll do for me. It's the Welsh Premier mate. Get over it.
Rhys Griffiths was the difference on Sunday, he should be playing in the Conference or League Two he is as good as Eifion Williams was. Without him Llanelli would not be half as good although I must admit Pritchard and Jones are excellent and Corbisiero but when are people going to accept how hard it is for a part time team to compete with a full time one?
Rhyl have done wonders to compete as well as they have done under Hulse for the past few seasons, the only criticism I would have of this season is our lack of adventure at home, in truth we have been poor at times.
I will never forget that display against Haka at Belle Vue, but why or why have we not been able to reproduce that on a consistent basis?