COMFORTABLE VICTORY FOR LILIES IN SEASON'S OPENER
RHYL 3 (Stones 12, N Roberts 32, Reed 86)
NEWTOWN 0
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE - AUG 16, 2008
NEW-LOOK Rhyl made an impressive start to life in the Welsh Premier under recently appointed senior coach Allan Bickerstaff.
The Lilywhites took the lead on 12 minutes when skipper Greg Stones played a neat one-two with former Wrexham striker Neil Roberts before firing in off the post.
Mark Connolly's 25-yard free-kick came back off the upright before the home team made it 2-0 in the 32nd minute.
Jamie Reed won possession in the area and man of the match Neil Roberts whipped a stunning strike into the top corner.
As the wind got up in the second half so the standard of play suffered, but the Lilies still looked the more dangerous.
Reed chested wide from a Gareth Owen centre before Danny Williams' curling cross-cum-shot caught the breeze, deceived Robins keeper David Jones and hit the woodwork.
Newtown had been non-existent as an attacking force until on 76 minutes Neil Mitchell volleyed in an Adam Worton cross at the back post, but the scorer was controversially adjudged offside.
A visiting goal could have made the closing stages very interesting, but Rhyl settled all arguments four minutes from time when a long ball over the top of the defence by Connolly bounced kindly for Reed who chipped in number three.
RHYL: Kendall, Connolly, Stones (capt), Strong, O'Neill, D Williams, G Owen, Kelly, N Roberts, Reed (C Owen 86), Johnson (C Jones 69). Sub not used: Horan. Att: 568.
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A comfortable opening 3 points, the lads did all they had to without undue fuss. Neat approach play with possession retained whenever possible mainly due to the orcestration of Messrs Kelly and Owen.
Without doubt the Lilywhites will face far sterner oppostion than Newtown before the season ends, but well done a good start.
My only minor observation was the constant failure of Connolly in playing a half decent ball to Craig Jones when time and again he appeared in acres of space and a disappointing crowd of 500+
Well done lads, tidy result. Updated stats and league tables now online.
Very good perfomance especially in the first half when some of the passing was a delight.
Seemed to ease down second half but still did enough to get the killer goal and go close on a number of occasions.
Thought the crowd wasnt bad seen as they brought virtually no one and people still are on holiday etc.
btw Dave, the crowd says 586 on Welsh premier, which is correct?
568 was called out at the ground.
Good performance, could easily have won by much more, and some very pleasing aspects to the game.
Liked the way the full backs were given full licence to get forward, when was the last time a fullback scored a goal like Stones' yesterday. and the midfield trio looked very dominant.
Good start
Dave
Says 480 on here mate
What a silly billy I am, that was the attendance at Prestatyn on Friday. I've now changed it to 568.
Don't really want to single out any individuals at this early stage of the season, but Neil Roberts could prove to be the best WPL player ever. Class.