MAGNIFICENT SEVEN SENDS LILIES BACK TOP
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.
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Dave Jones - For all the latest news from Rhyl Football Club, including match reports, news, views and features log on to Lilywhites On-Line hosted by Visitor sports editor Dave Jones.
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As I have said on a number of occasions; if we play as we can do, we can tear teams apart.
We proved it in the live TV game against Llanelli; we showed it again at Bangor in the first half at Farrar Road a couple of weeks ago; and again today.
Our problem has sometimes been only playing at half pace on some occasions; as if we only have to turn up to win.
Today we were superb; we were fast and skilful, and we played the sort of football that can win the league, and football that can blow away any team within the League.
If we play every game as we can play, as we did today; it really will take an outstanding team to beat us to the League title.
Totally agree, in my opinion when Rhyl move the ball about quickly there is not a team in the WPL that can live with them. The side looked a far better balanced side on Saturday, Stones looks far more comfortable on the right and Chris Roberts who for me has been unlucky to miss out week upon week was outstanding. Johnson's arrival on 65 minutes replacing an inaffective Craig Jones enhanced the tempo even more with his direct running, surely he must be pushing for a starting spot next Saturday against TNS? It was a better showing than in previous weeks for Danny Williams also, he looked far more mobile than in the past? The inclusion of Paul O'Neil again improved the distribution from the back line, although I agree Horan is a 'giant' at the back for us, sometimes I feel that with the ball at his feet and 'time' to seek out a team mate it seems to wrong for him far to often. I also feel O'Neil shades it in the mobility department? The seven goal drubbing of a disappointing Welshpool side proves the strength of the squad and augers well for the remainder of he season.
Brilliant performance from all the team. Everyone gelled so well and the movement off the ball asked too many questions of a fairly good Welshpool team. I know they've had their problems off the field but they did not look as if it bothered them too much. Question is, with everyone playing so well (including Reed) does AB tinker with the starting line up for the 'big match' next weekend?
Another good display from Neil Roberts and I have to agree with Dave's assessment of Chris Roberts' contribution.
Felt it was only fair that I came on after Saturday with me coming on after we beat you at Belle Vue in the League cup, Honour in defeat as well as victory and all that. Much as it pains me to say it I think that that was the best ever performance from a side I have seen against Welshpool and I am also in agreement with Rae Hughes in that we are a fairly good side. Aside from a couple of corners we had early on I thought Rhyl totally dominated the game and without the aid of the thick fog I donâÂÂt think weâÂÂd have scored if weâÂÂd played all night! I think that if Rhyl can keep the same squad together they will win the league comfortably. You have by far the best players in the WPL but how will Alan Bickerstaff be able to keep everyone happy? Players like Johnson and OâÂÂNeil who would walk into any other WPL side are regularly on the bench and will surely be transfer targets for other clubs in January. Other quality players such as Owen, Roberts and Wilson will also be high on managers wish list. IâÂÂm not trying to start any rumours but we would welcome them with open arms at Maesydre! Hope Huw Griffiths has a few signings up his sleeve as despite Saturdays result donâÂÂt think we are far from being a decent top six side. Best of luck for the season.
Very nice of you to say so.
It was a an excellent performance. Certainly our best since the Llanelli game.
I think what's become very clear is that when teams come to Rhyl and give us space to play in we are more than capable of taking them apart. On Saturday i thought Welshpool didn't close us down enough and came to play.
Some very good performances out there. Matty Williams was suberb, he and Robbo seem to have struck up a very good understanding and the passing and link play for our 2nd goal was Premier League quality(and I don't mean Welsh!).
Very pleased for Chris Roberts. He's had a tough time this season but he did very well and it shows the importance of a strong squad. Same for Paul O'Neil.
Reedy had his best game on the left and Josh looked a real live wire when he came on. And Willo, I really hope he gets his testimonial at the end of the season because he deserves 1.
Roll on Saturday