April 2008 Archives

CONGRATULATIONS to Carl Ruffer who has been named the Rhyl Fans Association's Player of the Season.
The no-nonsense defender received his award from RFA supremo Dave Walker before Sunday's League Cup final against Llanelli.
A vastly experienced defender, Carl started out as an Everton junior and signed pro forms at Goodison Park before spending several seasons with Runcorn.
He then joined Chester City and was part of the Blues side that won the Conference in 2003/4.
Carl signed for Morecambe the following season, moving to Droylsden in November 2005, where he captained the side to the Conference North title in 2006/7. He was voted the Bloods' fans Player of the Year and Conference North Player of the Year, then joined Rhyl in June 2007.
Carl has been an outstanding success at Belle Vue, playing a major role in making Rhyl's defence the meanest in the Welsh Premier.

WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE CUP FINAL 2008

IF Rhyl had worn their shooting boots for today's League Cup final at Newtown they would have beaten Llanelli by some distance.
But the fact they did not manage a single on-target shot until the 71st minute summed up their frustrating performance.
After establishing a 2-0 lead inside the first 40 minutes treble-chasing Llanelli were content to sit back and invite the Lilywhites to break them down.
Creating chances was not Rhyl's problem, it was taking them. Had it not been the final game of the season John Hulse would surely have called the players in for shooting practice on Tuesday.
Before the final Hulse had warned that the main difference between the sides was Llanelli's 50-goal plus hitman Rhys Griffiths. So when the pre-match news was delivered that Griffiths was unable to play due to hamstring trouble, it was the perfect tonic Rhyl needed.
The champions were also without key defender Wyn Thomas, the speedy Craig Jones, the suspended Jordan Follows and injured midfield playmaker Antonio Corbisiero - but still the Lilies could not take advantage.
Llanelli started the better and in the seventh minute a 25-yard rasper by Andrew Mumford flew just wide.
That was a warning that the ex-Swansea City midfielder cannot be allowed to shoot from distance, but Rhyl failed to heed it.
In the 15th minute the Lilies defence prepared for one of Andy Legg's missile long throw-ins into the box. But Legg saw Mumford unmarked about 22 yards out and wisely threw it in the direction of the midfield maestro who beat Lee Kendall all ends up with a crisp right foot drive.
Rhyl had a great chance to equalise from a Mark Connolly corner soon after but George Horan headed over from point blank range.
Then Llanelli upped the pace, Matthew Jones hitting a 25-yarder which Kendall was happy to bundle away for a corner.
In the 28th minute a cracking Legg cross from the left was met on the volley by Mark Pritchard, but this time Kendall produced a top drawer save.
The Reds made it 2-0 on 40 minutes when slack marking from a Gary Lloyd corner allowed Chris Holloway a free header to score with ease.
Steve Evans' overhead kick went just wide, but then moments before the break Rhyl had a fabulous chance when Paul O'Neill dispossessed Lloyd and put Chris Sharp clear on goal but he dragged his shot hopelessly wide - a real turning point of the final.
After the break it was all Rhyl. Great play up to the final third, but no end product from the Lilywhites.
Within a minute of the restart Sharp again skewed badly wide from eight yards, then Lee Hunt and Gareth Wilson blasted over from good positions.
Hunt did superbly to win the ball off Mumford down the left, send in a tantalising low cross, but Craig Jones was unable to connect and a grateful Duncan Roberts fell on the loose ball.
Rhyl were now getting frustrated. Within minutes Connolly missed the ball completely when involved in a promising attack on the right, put another pass into the stand when under no pressure and in an advanced position found only the trees when team-mates were screaming out for a good cross.
Llanelli were really not that good - it was just Rhyl were failing to punish them.
Finally, on 71 minutes, the Llanelli keeper was tested. Sharp let the ball drop over his head and connected with a fine volley which Roberts brilliantly finger-tipped past the post.
From the resulting corner Horan was unchallenged at the near stick but again he missed the target.
Sharp headed wide from another Connolly centre, then Hunt's effort looked destined for the far corner but Roberts flung himself to his left and managed to keep the ball out.
Try as they did there was not even a consolation goal for Rhyl and the Llanelli supporters, as they has done all match, sang loud and proud at the final whistle after seeing their team complete the second leg of what they hope will be a treble.
RHYL: Kendall, Ruffer, Graves, Connolly, Horan, O'Neill (Garside 55), Jones, Wilson, Hunt, Sharp, Roberts. Unused subs: White, Holt. Attendance: 510.

LLANDUDNO JUNCTION 3 (T Roberts 18, 35; N Jones 32)
RHYL RESERVES 2 (Roose 33, Lloyd Williams 58)
BOTTOM side Llandudno Junction ensured Rhyl's miserable end to the season continued as they pinched the honours 3-2 at the Flyover Ground.
Three days after a dismal 2-0 loss at lowly Rhydymwyn, Jon Stazicker's side flopped again and while they remain third in the Welsh Alliance League, victories for Llanrwst and Conwy in their final games could plunder the Lilywhites as low as fifth in the final rankings.
Things began badly for the visitors when Tom Roberts edged the Junction in front, then Adam France conceded a penalty which gave the Railwaymen a chance to double their lead.
Jamie Jones saved Nathan Jones' kick, but the Junction man was first to reach the rebound and he made it 2-0.
Rhyl pulled one back when Jack Roberts put Mike Roose clear and he rounded the keeper to reduce the deficit, but before the interval Tom Roberts added a third for the hosts.
Early in the second half Rhyl's prolific hitman Marc Lloyd Williams, cup-tied for the first team and unable to feature in the League Cup final, struck the outside of the post.
Lloyd Williams had better luck just before the hour when he poked home from close range, then he slammed against the underside of the bar and the rebound was somehow missed.
Rhyl often threatened from corners after the break, but failed to take their chances. It was a backs to the wall effort for Junction at times, but they held on determinedly for the points.

QUADRUPLE-CHASING Llanelli suffered a blow in their build up to this Sunday's League Cup final with Rhyl when they lost 2-1 to Neath Athletic in Tuesday's West Wales Cup final.
Fielding a weakened side, the Reds also had young prospect Jordan Follows sent off, meaning he is suspended for tomorrow's final at Newtown. Craig Jones also suffered an early injury and is a doubt.
Already crowned Welsh Premier champions, Llanelli will now have to content themselves with pursuing a treble as they also face Bangor City in the Welsh Cup final on May 4.

PLAYERS who let Rhyl down in last weekend's dismal defeat at Porthmadog could have cost themselves a place in this Sunday's League Cup final, warned Lilywhites manager John Hulse.
The Lilies boss pulled no punches after his team slumped to defeat against a side which had not won a home game all season, but by taking three priceless points on Saturday kept themselves in the Welsh Premier next term.
"I was very disappointed in our lads - it was a sloppy, shoddy end-of-season performance," said Hulse.
"We owed it to the other sides (Caersws and Llangefni) battling against relegation to have a real go at them (Porthmadog) and in a way it was a relief the other two lost as I wouldn't have wanted them to win and then get relegated through our result.
"The only players to emerge with any credit were George Horan, Mark Connolly, Gareth Wilson and Lee Hunt.
"I wanted the players to make my decision to pick a cup final team harder, but certain individuals will now not feature in the final because of it (the Porthmadog performance)."
The all-important goal came on 58 minutes when substitute Michael White conceded a needless free-kick on the right which the Lilies defence failed to clear and Richard Hughes jumped highest to head home.

RHYL Reserves will finish third in the Welsh Alliance League if they win their final game at Llandudno Junction on Saturday.
Jon Stazicker's side were beaten 2-0 at Rhydymwyn last night after travelling with the bare 11 and having first team regular Stuart Graves in their line-up.
However, they can clinch third spot with three points at the Flyover Ground. Any other result and Conwy United, Llanrwst United or Llanrug United could still overtake them.
Bethesda are odds on to win the title despite losing 3-2 at Llanrwst tonight while Llanrug drew 2-2 at Llanberis.
Pesda need five points from their last four games to make it mathematically impossible to catch them, but four points should be enough given their superior goal difference over Glan Conwy.
WELSH ALLIANCE STANDINGS
Bethesda Athletic: Played 24 Points 61 (GD 61): To play - Llanberis (h), Llandudno Junction (a), Llanrug Utd (a), Llandudno Junction (h).
Glan Conwy: Played 24 Pts 53 (43): To play - Nantlle Vale (a), Llanberis (a), Amlwch Town (h), Nefyn United (h).
Rhyl Reserves: Played 27 Pts 47 (35): To play - Llandudno Junction (a).
Llanrwst United: Played 27 Pts 46 (7): To play - Amlwch Town (a).
Conwy United: Played 27 Pts 45 (11): To play - a/n other.
Llanrug United: Played 25 Pts 40 (14): To play - Amlwch Town (h), Rhydymwyn (h), Bethesda Athletic (h).

HAVERFORDWEST County manager Derek Brazil is helping plot Rhyl's downfall in the Inter-Toto Cup.
Brazil once played at the same club as Bohemian manager Pat Fenlon and is providing his former team mate with the rundown on the Lilywhites.
Fenlon welcomed Monday's pairing with Welsh Premier side Rhyl, with a tie against Icelandic or Latvian opposition should Bohs progress.
"It's a decent draw travelwise," Fenlon told the Bohemian official website. "It's a nice, short journey which will suit us because we may have to fit in a few league games around the Inter-Toto campaign. We also have a decent chance to progress which is great for the club and the supporters."
Fenlon is determined that his players keep their feet on the ground ahead of any European venture.
"People have to realise that this will not be an easy tie. I am told that Rhyl are a big, physical team and we will have to work hard to progress."
A former team mate of Fenlon at Rivermount Boys is Brazil, who has given the Bohs boss some pointers on John Hulse's men since the draw.
"We will have a look at Rhyl in the coming weeks," added Fenlon. "They have qualified for the Welsh League Cup final on April 27, so obviously they have something about them.
"We will do our homework and approach the game in the proper fashion, but we will be taking nothing for granted."

EVERYONE connected with Rhyl FC is buzzing at the prospect of playing Eircom League of Ireland Premier Division club Bohemian in the Inter-Toto Cup in June.
For one thing, the Lilywhites are delighted the journey to Dublin on June 21 will be a relatively short one compared to trips the Welsh Premier club has had to make to Latvia, Lithuania (twice) and Finland in their past four European campaigns.
Secondly, relations between Wales and Ireland are excellent and always have been. Therefore this tie gives Rhyl the opportunity to make many new friends from across the water. Let's not forget our already existing business links with Athy in Co Kildare.
Lilywhites Online now presents an in-depth profile on Bohemian FC - one of Ireland's most famous football clubs.
BOHEMIAN FC
BOHEMIAN FC (Irish: An Cumann Peile Bóithéimeach) are one of the major forces in the FAI Eircom League of Ireland Premier Division.
The club was founded on September 6, 1890, and is a founding member of the league, playing its home matches at Dalymount Park.
Its nicknames are Bohs and The Gypsies, its colours are red and black and the club is 100% owned by its members.
Commonly referred to as Bohemians, the club has won the League of Ireland championship nine times and the FAI Cup on six occasions.
With summer football operating in Ireland, the Eircom League season recently got underway and Bohemian currently occupy second spot.
The club has appeared in European competition many times with its current record reading: Played 54 Won 9, Drawn 12 Lost 33, Goals For 35 Goals Against 99.
The breakdown of that record is:
Champions League: Played 14 Won 3 Drawn 3 Lost 8
UEFA Cup: Played 26 Won 3 Drawn 7 Lost 16
Cup Winners' Cup: Played 8 Won 2 Drawn 2 Lost 4
Inter-Toto Cup: Played 6 Won 1 Lost 5.
Bohemian have played numerous illustrious opponents in Europe including SV Hamburg, Glasgow Rangers, Newcastle United, FC Koln and Steaua Bucharest.
Probably their finest European moment came in the 2000/01 UEFA Cup competition when they knocked out Scottish Premier giants Aberdeen on away goals and then in the first round proper only lost 3-2 on aggregate to crack German outfit FC Kaiserslautern, beating them 1-0 in the home leg.
In the 1984/85 UEFA Cup they also defeated Glasgow Rangers 3-2 at home but lost 4-3 overall on aggregate.
Bohemian have yet to win a tie in the Inter-Toto Cup, however.
LEGENDARY BOHEMIAN PLAYERS
MICK MARTIN: Gifted midfielder who won 52 caps for the Republic of Ireland and played for Manchester United, Newcastle United, WBA and Vancouver Whitecaps in the 1970s.
GARETH FARRELLY: Everton supporters will remember Farrelly as the man whose goal kept them in the Premiership in 1997/98. He also played for Bolton Wanderers, Aston Villa and Wigan and won six RoI caps. Farrelly is a former player manager of Bohemian.
ASHLEY GRIMES: Grimes was capped 18 times by the RoI and played 107 times for Manchester United between 1977 and 1983, scoring 11 goals.
LIAM O'BRIEN: Former Manchester United, Newcastle United and Tranmere Rovers defender who played for Ireland on 16 occasions.
GERRY RYAN: Featured for Derby County and played in Brighton's 1983 FA Cup final losing side against Manchester United. One-time Bohemian Gerry represented his country 18 times.

BOHEMIAN RECORDS
League victory: 8-0 v Olympia F.C., 18 November 1922 and v Home Farm, 5 February 1978
Victory: 11-0 v Grangegorman, Leinster Senior Cup Final, 27 November 1946
League defeat: 0-7 v Shamrock Rovers, 5 February 1955
Most points in a season: 72 in 1981-82
Most league goals in a season (player): 25, Glen Crowe in 2000-01
Most league goals (player): 121, Glen Crowe
Most appearances (player): 575, Tommy Kelly
Most goals (player): 192, Turlough O'Connor

More Bohemian information to follow......

RHYL will compete in their fifth Welsh Premier League Cup final in six seasons this Sunday - an outstanding record.
The League Challenge Cup was the first trophy John Hulse won as Lilywhites manager at the end of his first season in charge in 2002/03.
Here is Rhyl's record in League Cup finals:
2006/07 - Caersws 1 Rhyl 1 (aet - Caersws won 3-0 on pens)
This final played at Park Avenue, Aberystwyth was a total farce. Strong winds completely ruined any chance of a spectacle.
After a turgid and goal-less 90 minutes, Graham Evans fired Caersws ahead in extra time only for the Lilies to equalise with a controversial Dave Cameron effort.
Rhyl had a good record in penalty shoot outs but this day it all went wrong, Moran, Cameron and Connolly all missing from the spot and the Bluebirds held their nerve to triumph 3-0.
It was so windy that the ball was moving on the penalty spot when the players attempted to kick it.
2004/05 - Carmarthen Town 2 Rhyl 0 (aet)
A day to forget at Latham Park for the Lilywhites as a Carmarthen side they thrashed 4-0 in the previous year's final gained revenge.
Five minutes before the end of normal time Lee Hunt received a second yellow card, leaving Rhyl having to play the added 30 minutes a man down.
Richard Kennedy and Omar Abdillahi grabbed the goals which secured the Old Golds the trophy.
2003/04 - Rhyl 4 Carmarthen Town 0
Two days after winning the Welsh Premier League title, Rhyl completed the double by coasting to a League Cup victory at Latham Park.
Andy Moran led the way with a hat-trick - one goal in the first half and two in the second - and substitute Chris McGinn added a fourth before the end.
2002/03 - Rhyl 2 Bangor City 2 (aet - Rhyl won 5-4 on pens)
Chris McGinn's penalty secured Rhyl their biggest trophy in Welsh football for 50 years on an unforgettable afternoon at Belle Vue.
Moran and McGinn put the Lilies 2-0 up, but City came roaring back through Ricky Evans and Owain Tudur Jones.
Both teams contrived some remarkable misses to ensure the final went into extra time and when there were no further goals penalties were needed to settle the issue,
Rhyl keeper Paul Smith - now at Bangor - saved two kicks in the shoot-out and McGinn's netfinder sparked wild celebrations.

PRESTATYN Town have won planning permission to install floodlights at their Bastion Road ground - now the race is on to get them up in time for the Welsh Premier League May 1 deadline.
Denbighshire County Council's planning committee voted 25-0 on Wednesday in favour of the Cymru Alliance champions' application.
Work is well underway on getting the lights erected and the club is confident everything will be ready in time for next Thursday's criteria-meeting deadline.
Lilywhites Online wishes Prestatyn the best of luck and hopes next season's Welsh Premier fixture list will include two exciting Denbighshire local derbies.