DERBY DAY COUNTDOWN - 4 DAYS TO GO......
RHYL and Prestatyn Town will meet for the first time in the Welsh Premier League this Saturday.
The Lilywhites currently top the table while the Seasiders, in their first season at this level, have more than held their own and lie 10th.
In a series of pre-derby features, Lilywhites Online first of all looks at the head-to-head individual duels which could decide Saturday's encounter.
GREG STRONG (defender - Rhyl) v IAN GRIFFITHS (striker - Prestatyn)
The vastly experienced Strong joined Rhyl in the summer. The 33-year-old's former clubs include Wigan Athletic, Bolton Wanderers and Motherwell who signed him for ã150,000 in 2000. Rhyl is his 17th club.
Griffiths was a prolific goalscorer in the reserves before he came to prominence with the first team in the Cymru Alliance last season. A tremendous athlete, he is Prestatyn's top marksman this term.
VERDICT: Strong is virtually unbeatable in the air but Griffiths' pace and trickery on the ground can give him problems. If Strong has had difficulties this season it is against the quicker type forwards Cefn Druids and Port Talbot brought to Belle Vue.
CRAIG JONES (winger - Rhyl) v JACK LEWIS (full-back - Prestatyn)
Jones is one of the quickest attacking wide men in the Welsh Premier and has been a massive hit since joining Rhyl in summer 2007. He has won Wales semi-pro caps and regularly attracts interest from other clubs.
Lewis, 20, is an attacking left-back who is growing in stature with every game. He broke into Prestatyn's first team as a schoolboy, has represented Welsh Colleges, and has shared in all the Seasiders' successes of recent years.
VERDICT: Jones' fitness is being assessed this week so he is not a definite starter. If he does play he will test Lewis out with his trademark wing bursts, but the Prestatyn defender can match him for pace and will look to get forward at every opportunity himself.
GARETH OWEN (midfield - Rhyl) v NEIL GIBSON (midfield - Prestatyn)
Owen played 350 times for Wrexham and is a Wales B and under-21 international. Now 37, it was seen as a surprise when he joined the Lilywhites in the summer after a stint as player manager of Airbus. His form for the Lilies this term, however, has been tremendous.
Gibson, a former pro with Tranmere Rovers and Sheffield Wednesday, also played for Wales under-21s. He led Prestatyn to the Cymru Alliance crown in his first season as player manager and has been outstanding in the WPL this campaign.
VERDICT: Could be the clash of the day. Despite his age, Owen still brings plenty of pace to the Rhyl midfield and poses a serious danger from set pieces. Gibson is a similar type of player who can control a game in the same way as Owen. Either of these two could end up man of the match on Saturday.
DANNY WILLIAMS (midfield - Rhyl) v MICHAEL PARKER (midfield - Prestatyn)
Williams joined Rhyl in the summer after an illustrious pro career which took in spells at Liverpool, Wrexham (twice) and Kidderminster Harriers. He has been the Mr Steady in the Rhyl midfield this term, doing nothing spectacularly but everything well.
Parker had a spell at Bangor City last season but returned to Prestatyn to help them win the Cymru Alliance. A midfield workaholic, he also has a penchant for getting goals, a true box-to-box merchant.
VERDICT: With his stream of neat passes and operating just in front of the defence, Williams can orchestrate a game quietly and efficiently. Parker offers more of a goal threat and will be far the busier, but cannot touch Williams when it comes to experience.
NEIL ROBERTS (striker - Rhyl) v DAVE HAYES (defender - Prestatyn)
Roberts has been Rhyl's biggest success story so far this season - 13 goals and a string of brilliant performances. The former Wrexham and Wigan striker brings a wealth of experience to the table and is a full Wales cap to boot.
Hayes is one of the most underrated defenders in the WPL but Prestatyn fully appreciate his worth. He is not just a stopper who excels in the air, he is also top quality on the ground and never gives less than 100%.
VERDICT: Hayes will need to play the game of his life to keep Roberts at bay. It is not just the goals that he scores but the way he brings other players into the game that makes the ex-Wrexham front man so special. Hayes is capable of making a real name for himself, though, in a game where his contribution will be vital.
Older/Newer
« RHYL CLEARED OVER FARRAR ROAD DISTURBANCE | RHYL CLEARED OVER FARRAR ROAD DISTURBANCE »



Rhyl are a class apart. The only way they can lose is through complacency and Prestatyn being up for it more. That CAN happen as we saw against Port Talbot and Druids, do us a favour lads and don't let it happen again as losing at home to Prestatyn would be a bitter pill to swallow and a downright embarrassment.
I agree. If we match them physically we have better players and should come out on top.
No doubt Prestatyn with all their ex Rhyl players will be up for it and as long as we are we'll win. 3-1 to Rhyl