PORT AFTER THE STORM

By Dave Jones on Nov 15, 08 12:41 AM

RHYL v PORT TALBOT TOWN
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 2.30pm
IN eight visits to Belle Vue since they joined the Welsh Premier League in 2000/01, Port Talbot have not managed to acrue a single point.
And Rhyl will be very much hoping that by 4.15pm today their home league record against the Steelmen will read: played 9 won 9.
Three points will keep the Lilywhites in the top spot they reached after Tuesday night's 2-0 victory at Bangor City.
After the hostility which led to such unsavoury scenes at Farrar Road, the atmosphere is likely to be much friendlier at BV this afternoon.
Port Talbot achieved their best ever WPL finish of fourth place last term, but the current campaign is not shaping as well. Nicky Tucker's side are down in 13th position and have shown only snatches of their best form.
Last weekend they were involved in an astonishing game at home to Llanelli. Port led the champions 3-0 and then 4-1 at half time, yet finished up 6-4 losers.
So, while scoring goals doesn't seem a problem to the South Wales outfit, defending certainly does.
However, in Martin Rose they boast one of the best strikers in the league and a player capable of causing Rhyl problems.
Rhyl should have a full squad to choose from with new-look striking duo Neil Roberts and Matthew Williams set to retain their places up front after two very impressive performances together against Caersws and Bangor.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
2007/08 - Rhyl 5 (Sharp 2, Lloyd Williams 2, Garside) Port Talbot 0; Port Talbot 1 (Rose pen) Rhyl 2 (Jones, Connolly).
2006/07 - Rhyl 2 (Cameron, Hay) Port Talbot 0; Port Talbot 3 (Stephens og, Johnson, Pierce) Rhyl 2 (Cameron 2).
2005/06 - Port Talbot 1 (Griffiths pen) Rhyl 0; Rhyl 3 (G Powell, Adamson, Sharp) Port Talbot 0.
2004/05 - Port Talbot 1 (John) Rhyl 3 (Smith, Adamson, G Powell); Rhyl 1 (Atherton) Port Talbot 0.
2003/04 - Rhyl 2 (Moran pen, Wilson) Port Talbot 1 (Dodds); Port Talbot 1 (Hughes) Rhyl 2 (Moran, Hunt).
2002/03 - Rhyl 3 (McGinn, Moody, Moran pen) Port Talbot 0; Port Talbot 0 Rhyl 3 (Moran 2, Jackson)
2001/02 - Port Talbot 2 (Bartley, Fleming) Rhyl 3 (Stannard 2, Moran); Rhyl 3 (Cross, Stannard, Durnin) Port Talbot 1 (Ryan).
2000/01 - Rhyl 4 (M Jones pen, Brewerton, Stannard, Graves) Port Talbot 3 (Bartley 3); Port Talbot 1 (Wiseman) Rhyl 6 (Trundle 3, Barton, Holmes og, McCosh).
PLAYED: 16
RHYL WON: 14
PORT TALBOT WON: 2
GOALS:
RHYL 44
PORT TALBOT 15