November 2008 Archives

PWLLHELI 3 (Thomas 23, Courlander 32, G Jones 77)
RHYL RESERVES 1 (K Evans)
WELSH ALLIANCE LEAGUE - NOVEMBER 29, 2008
MORE away day blues for Rhyl whose lead at the top of the Welsh Alliance was cut to two points with second-placed Bethesda Athletic - who have six games in hand - winning at Nefyn United.
Potential title contenders Pwllheli almost took an early lead when Gwyn Jones met a Dylan Thomas cross with a first time shot which Paul Pritchard brilliantly tipped over.
Rhyl responded when home keeper Ryan Steadman fumbled a Keiron Evans cross from the left, but Gareth Hughes' strike was blocked by the Pwll defence.
Tom Patel fired just wide for the visitors before Pwllheli took a freak 23rd minute lead. Tom Roberts' clearance struck Thomas on the back and the ball looped over Pritchard into the net.
It could have been 2-0 when John Paul Roberts found space in the middle of the park and let rip with a stunning shot which Pritchard performed marvels to tip round the post.
However, on 32 minutes poor Rhyl marking from a corner allowed Rory Courlander a free header from three yards and he made no mistake to make it 2-0 at half time.
The Lilywhites came out for the second half a lot stronger and dominated the play with some great football.
Ben Chippendale shot wide for the Pen Llyn outfit before Keiron Evans reduced the deficit with a first time drive into the bottom corner from 18 yards.
James Hay almost equalised when he played a one-two with Jack Roberts but saw his shot well saved by Steadman.
Rhyl kept pressing but on 77 minutes their defence unsuccessfully tried to set an offside trap and allowed Gwyn Jones through to make it 3-1.
Hay was denied by another good Steadman save before the end and Jon Stazicker's side was left to reflect on what might have been.

RHYL 7 (G Owen 4, M Williams 27, 58 & 87 pen, Stones 51, Wilson 70, Johnson 75)
TECHNOGROUP WELSHPOOL 1 (Boardman 85)
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE - NOVEMBER 29, 2008
RAMPANT Rhyl returned to the top of the Welsh Premier courtesy of their biggest home league win in almost five years.
Not since they demolished Caernarfon Town 7-1 at Belle Vue on January 31, 2004 during their championship-winning season had the Lilywhites managed a home league victory as emphatic as this.
Had they not conceded an 85th minute goal to outclassed Welshpool, the Lilies would have matched their all-time highest 7-0 WPL victory over Llanelli.
Taking on a Pool side in good form, Rhyl wanted to banish the memories of their last home league start - a shock 3-2 loss at the hands of Port Talbot.
With skipper George Horan and Mark Connolly struggling to shake off knocks, both were rested. In came Paul O'Neill in central defence, while Chris Roberts came in at left-back resulting in captain for the day Greg Stones switching to right-back.
O'Neill did very well but Roberts was totally outstanding, combining brilliantly with Jamie Reed down the left and not putting a foot wrong.
Rhyl set the tone for the afternoon by taking the lead after just four minutes.
Chris Roberts linked with Reed and Neil Roberts before putting over a great cross which Gareth Owen headed superbly into the left corner from 12 yards.
For all that Welshpool had started quite enterprisingly and they went close to levelling on eight minutes when an Andy Davies cross was allowed to reach Ross Stephens at the back post, the ex-Rhyl midfielder's driven effort deflecting off keeper Lee Kendall and away from danger.
Greg Strong's header from an Owen corner was cleared off the line by Kevin Davies before Rhyl's second arrived on 27 minutes.
Stones fed Neil Roberts whose lovely pass inside the full-back released Matty Williams in the box. There was still plenty to do as keeper Danny Jones narrowed an acute angle, but Williams drove brilliantly into the far corner.
Reed, who had a good first half on the left flank, cut inside and let fly right footed but the ball just cleared the bar. Half time: Rhyl 2-0.
Welshpool started the second half well, Steve Rogers inches away from converting before Stephens fired just over.
Conditions deteriorated with freezing fog making it difficult to see all the action, but the mist seemed to bring the best out of Rhyl. Craig Jones' cross from the right was met by a Neil Roberts diving header which unfortunately flew straight at Jones.
Then on 51 minutes Pool defenders Timmy Edwards and John Boardman made a hash of trying to clear a Reed cross and Stones hooked home brilliantly on the volley from 10 yards.
Stones turned provider on 58 minutes with a sublime ball to Matty Williams who confidently slipped past the advancing keeper to make it 4-0.
Then enter Gareth Wilson. Rhyl's longest serving player scored within a couple of minutes of coming on as substitute in the recent 3-1 win over Caersws and he worked the magic even quicker this time!
With only his second touch Wilson latched onto a loose ball all of 30 yards out and hit a superb right-footer which left Jones grasping thin air again. The celebrations said it all - a very popular goal from a hugely popular player.
Could Rhyl produce an even better goal than that? The answer was yes.
In the 75th minute a Welshpool attack broke down, O'Neill led the charge out and found substitute Josh Johnson on the right.
Johnson then cut inside, sending two defenders the wrong way before hitting a magnificent left-foot curler from 25 yards which went in off the upright. No wonder he was chosen for Trinidad and Tobago's recent world cup qualifier.
Will Thomas went close to a reply for the visitors before on 85 minutes the rock solid Rhyl defence was for once nowhere, allowing Boardman to head in a consolation.
The hosts rightly had the last word though. Hughes brought down Wilson in the box, referee Phil Southall pointed to the spot and Matty Williams completed his hat-trick.
RHYL: Kendall, Stones (c), C Roberts, O'Neill, Strong, D Williams, G Owen (Wilson 69), M Williams, N Roberts (C Owen 56), Reed, Jones (Johnson 61).

MATCH FACTS
GOALS: Rhyl 7 Welshpool 1
ATTEMPTS: Rhyl 16 Welshpool 14
ON TARGET: Rhyl 11 Welshpool 6
CORNERS: Rhyl 8 Welshpool 8
YELLOW CARDS: 0-0
RED CARDS: 0-0
ATTENDANCE: 439
LILYWHITES ONLINE MAN OF THE MATCH
Chris Roberts (Rhyl)
Hasn't been a regular this season but adapted magnificently, a faultless display.

RHYL FC RESULTS 2008/09
Aug 16, 2008 - Newtown (h-lge) 3-0 (Stones, N Roberts, Reed)
Aug 19, 2008 - Airbus UK Broughton (h-LC) 6-1 (C Owen 2, Jones 2, N Roberts, D Williams)
Aug 23, 2008 - Caernarfon Town (a-lge) 1-0 (Horan)
Aug 30, 2008 - Llanelli (h-lge) 5-1 (Strong, Reed, N Roberts 2, Johnson)
Sep 02, 2008 - Welshpool Town (h-LC) 1-2 (Jones)
Sep 05, 2008 - Porthmadog (a-lge) 3-0 (Reed, N Roberts, Jones)
Sep 13, 2008 - Haverfordwest County (h-lge) 2-0 (Reed 2)
Sep 21, 2008 - Neath Athletic (a-lge) 2-2 (Reed, Stones)
Sep 23, 2008 - Airbus UK Broughton (a-LC) 4-0 (C Owen 2, C Roberts, Johnson)
Sep 27, 2008 - Aberystwyth Town (h-lge) 0-0
Oct 04, 2008 - Castell Alun Colts (h-WC R2) 8-0 (Jones, Strong, Johnson, O'Neill, C Owen 2, M Williams 2)
Oct 07, 2008 - Welshpool Town (a-LC) 2-0 (C Roberts, C Owen)
Oct 10, 2008 - Connah's Quay Nomads (h-lge) 2-0 (Horan, O'Neill)
Oct 18, 2008 - Carmarthen Town (h-lge) 3-0 (G Owen, N Roberts 2)
Oct 28, 2008 - Bangor City (a-LC) 1-3 (aet) (Strong)
Nov 1, 2008 - Haverfordwest County (h-WC) 4-0 (Horan, M Williams, N Roberts 2)
Nov 8, 2008 - Caersws (h-lge) 3-1 (Wilson, Williams og, Johnson)
Nov 11, 2008 - Bangor City (a-lge) 2-0 (Reed, N Roberts)
Nov 15, 2008 - Port Talbot Town (h-lge) 2-3 (M Williams, G Owen)
Nov 21, 2008 - Airbus UK Broughton (a-lge) 3-1 (N Roberts, Strong, Jones)
Nov 29, 2008 - Technogroup Welshpool (h-lge) 7-1 (G Owen, M Williams 3, 1 pen, Stones, Wilson, Johnson)
GOALS (64): 11 - Neil Roberts; 7 - Matthew Williams, Carl Owen, Jamie Reed; 6 - Craig Jones; 5 - Josh Johnson; 4 - Greg Strong; 3 - George Horan, Gareth Owen, Greg Stones; 2 - Gareth Wilson, Chris Roberts, Paul O'Neill, 1 - Danny Williams, 1 own goal.

RHYL are sixth in the all-time Welsh Premier League points table (1992-present).
They are the second most successful North Wales club with Bangor 179 points ahead although City have played 76 games more.
All-time positions up to and including November 22, 2008 (average points per game in brackets - statistics by kind courtesy of www.welsh-premier.com)
1 The New Saints P 541 PTS 1004 (1.86)
2 Bangor City P 579 PTS 993 (1.72)
3 Aberystwyth Town P 579 PTS 883 (1.53)
4 Cwmbran Town P 532 PTS 851 (1.60)
5 Newtown P 578 PTS 830 (1.44)
6 Rhyl P 503 PTS 814 (1.62)
7 Gap Connah's Quay P 579 PTS 809 (1.40)
8 Barry Town P 356 PTS 768 (2.16)
9 Caersws P 579 PTS 756 (1.31)
10 Carmarthen Town P 425 PTS 601 (1.41)
11 Haverfordwest P 461 PTS 586 (1.27)
12 Llanelli P 437 PTS 574 (1.31)
13 Inter Cardiff P 332 PTS 535 (1.61)
14 Afan Lido P 388 PTS 494 (1.27)
15 Caernarfon Town P 430 PTS 494 (1.15)
16 Porthmadog P 411 PTS 492 (1.20)
17 Conwy United P 298 PTS 420 (1.41)
18 Ebbw Vale P 232 PTS 376 (1.62)
19 Port Talbot Town P 281 PTS 365 (1.30)
20 Technogroup Welshpool P 291 PTS 342 (1.18)
21 NEWI Cefn Druids P 315 PTS 312 (0.99)
22 Flint Town United P 232 PTS 309 (1.33)
23 Holywell Town P 226 PTS 271 (1.20)
24 Ton Pentre P 156 PTS 227 (1.46)
25 Rhayader Town P 172 PTS 154 (0.90)
26 Airbus UK Broughton P 147 PTS 140 (0.95)
27 Briton Ferry Athletic P 156 P 130 (0.83)
28 Mold Alexandra P 114 PTS 128 (1.12)
29 Cemaes Bay P 118 PTS 104 (0.88)
30 Oswestry Town P 102 PTS 94 (0.92)
31 Maesteg Park P 114 PTS 85 (0.75)
32 Neath FC P 47 PTS 62 (1.32)
33 Llanidloes Town P 38 PTS 30 (0.79)
34 Abergavenny Thursdays P 38 PTS 28 (0.74)
35 Llangefni Town P 34 PTS 24 (0.71)
36 Prestatyn Town P 13 PTS 16 (1.23)
37 Cardiff Grange Quins P 34 PTS 15 (0.44)

RHYL v TECHNOGROUP WELSHPOOL
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 2.30pm
THIS Saturday Rhyl will need to overcome one of their trickier opponents of recent times if they are to maintain top spot.
The Lilywhites have failed to beat Technogroup Welshpool in their last four attempts in the Welsh Premier, the Mid-Walians picking up draws at Belle Vue in each of the past two seasons.
Even this term, with Rhyl having arguably their strongest-ever WPL squad, Welshpool grabbed a shock 2-1 victory at BV in the League Cup.
Allan Bickerstaff's side have not always flourished at home this season; indeed they suffered a first league loss of the campaign on their own turf a fortnight ago against Port Talbot.
So all is not cut and dried tomorrow at Belle Vue (2.30pm) especially as 'Pool, who sacked manager Tomi Morgan earlier this month, have won their last two outings under caretaker boss Graham Breeze, one of those victories a notable 2-0 success at Bangor City.
But even at less than 100%, the Lilies are a cut above most in the WPL.
They need to keeping winning, though, with second-placed Llanelli visiting struggling Neath on Friday and unbeaten The New Saints a good bet to end up victorious at Caersws.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
2007/08 - Rhyl 1 Welshpool 1; Welshpool 1 Rhyl 0
2006/07 - Welshpool 1 Rhyl 1; Rhyl 0 Welshpool 0.
2005/06 - Welshpool 3 Rhyl 1; Rhyl 3 Welshpool 0.
2004/05 - Rhyl 2 Welshpool 2; Welshpool 1 Rhyl 2.
2003/04 - Welshpool 1 Rhyl 2; Rhyl 3 Welshpool 0.
2002/03 - Rhyl 2 Welshpool 0; Welshpool 0 Rhyl 2.
1997/98 - Welshpool 3 Rhyl 3; Rhyl 3 Welshpool 0.
1996/97 - Rhyl 0 Welshpool 1; Welshpool 2 Rhyl 1.
WINS: Rhyl 7 Welshpool 4 DRAWS: 5.

POLICE have requested Rhyl FC appeals to its fans to be on their best behaviour at next Saturday's crucial Welsh Premier match at The New Saints (5.30pm kick-off).
Rhyl FC secretary Joe Furnival issued the following statement today:
"The police at Shrewsbury are requesting that we make a formal announcement to all fans regarding crowd behaviour at the match to take place at The Venue Oswestry 6/12/08.
"The Mercia Police have received reports via North Wales Police of problems at the recent Bangor match.
"We are informed that there will be a heavy police presence in the town and surrounding The Venue.
"The police wish it to be known in advance that any persons identified as being involved in any sort of illegal behaviour will be dealt with, and a Football Ground Banning Order sought.
"Rhyl FC request that all visiting fans act in a manner that brings credit to the club."

ONLY four clubs currently operating in the Welsh Premier League have a winning record over Rhyl.
The situation was very different up until six years ago when John Hulse took over at Belle Vue and transformed the Lilywhites from a perennial struggling outfit into regular title contenders.
Credit for the turnaround also has to be due to president Peter Parry and his board for their investment in the club in recent years.
The only WPL teams with more wins than defeats against Rhyl are The New Saints, Bangor City, Llanelli and Gap Connah's Quay.
The Lilies are some way from ever establishing a winning record against TNS and Bangor, but Llanelli and Nomads could be a different story in a couple of seasons.
Here is Rhyl's head-to-head record against the 17 other clubs presently in the Welsh Premier (league results only - up to and including November 21):
Aberystwyth Town
Played 29 Won 14 Lost 5 Drawn 10
Airbus UK Broughton
Played 9 Won 7 Lost 1 Drawn 1
Bangor City
Played 29 Won 12 Lost 17 Drawn 0
Caernarfon Town
Played 25 Won 15 Lost 6 Drawn 4
Caersws
Played 29 Won 14 Lost 8 Drawn 7
Carmarthen Town
Played 25 Won 14 Lost 6 Drawn 5
Gap Connah's Quay
Played 29 Won 11 Lost 14 Drawn 4
Haverfordwest County
Played 23 Won 12 Lost 5 Drawn 6
Llanelli
Played 21 Won 6 Lost 9 Drawn 6
Neath Athletic
Played 3 Won 1 Lost 0 Drawn 2
NEWI Cefn Druids
Played 18 Won 11 Lost 4 Drawn 3
Newtown
Played 29 Won 14 Lost 8 Drawn 7
Port Talbot Town
Played 17 Won 14 Lost 3 Drawn 0
Porthmadog
Played 19 Won 10 Lost 6 Drawn 3
Prestatyn Town
Played 0
Technogroup Welshpool
Played 16 Won 7 Lost 4 Drawn 5
The New Saints
Played 28 Won 8 Lost 16 Drawn 4

RHYL'S recent home match against Caersws was their 500th in the Welsh Premier League...and they won it!

Overall record up to and including November 21, 2008:
Won 239
Drawn 97
Lost 167
Points 814

Tune in soon for more useless information. Bye.

FORMER Rhyl striker Dave Cameron has quit as manager of Bradford Park Avenue, reports Andrew Lincoln for www.welsh-premier.com
Cameron left Belle Vue in March and was an instant success in management, steering the Yorkshire outfit to promotion to the UniBond League Premier Division.
But recent results have been disappointing and Cameron says he felt that, with the best interests of the club at heart, he should leave now to give a new manager every opportunity to achieve promotion this season.

LILYWHITE Supporters Travel have organised a coach to TNS on Saturday, December 6.
The bus will leave Belle Vue at 1pm (kick-off is at 5.30pm) and seats are £10. To book or for more details contact Mike Jones on 07786 240112.

RHYL Fans Association are holding a Christmas party on Saturday, December 13, at the Sunny Vale Club Complex.
Everyone in Rhyl and the surrounding areas are welcome to come along and enjoy what will be a great occasion.
Even though the event is being run by the Supporters Club of Rhyl FC, it will not be a football-themed night.
A superb live act is lined up, and with party games and a Christmas disco it should be a night to remember.
Anyone interested in booking tickets or a table contact 07786 240112 (discounts on group bookings).