WHAT WENT WRONG?

RHYL 3 NEWI CEFN DRUIDS 4 - THE INQUEST
HOW can a team which looked so outstanding in beating full-timers TNS then end up losing and conceding four goals at home to a team which is never going to pull up any trees in the Welsh Premier six days later?
In their previous 15 matches the meanest defence in the WPL by a country mile had let in a mere nine goals.
So how can Rhyl account for last night's defeat?
Well firstly, was it that much of a surprise?
Only a month ago we'd seen the Lilywhites crash 3-2 at home to another team of supposed no-hopers in Port Talbot. That day, too, Rhyl's defence strangely went missing.
Perhaps that one could be put down as a one-off, but for it to happen again in such a short space of time begs the question does this Lilies team truly have what it takes to win the Welsh Premier League?
The key to winning titles is consistency. Okay, Rhyl have lost only twice in 16 starts which is good form but the manner of those defeats was worrying.
Former manager John Hulse would often complain of teams coming to Belle Vue to put 10 men behind the ball and play for a point.
However, that could certainly not be said of Port Talbot and Druids who, when they were allowed to, had a real go and, just as importantly, believed in themselves.
Perhaps visiting teams, now wise to the fact this Rhyl side is probably the most exciting ever to feature in the Welsh Premier in an attacking sense, decide to meet fire with fire, realising that if they venture forward they will get chances themselves.
A similar scenario to the Manchester United sides of recent times; all-out attack but they'll always give you a few opportunities of your own - a "you score three and we'll score four" attitude.
There can be no criticising Rhyl's attacking performance against Druids. Had it not been for their keeper Mullock, the Lilywhites would have won. The fact Allan Bickerstaff's side had 29 goal attempts and 14 on target is testament to that.
The conditions also definitely played a part, but it seems that last night Rhyl paid the price for playing two attacking full-backs. It was alarming to see Druids have so many one-on-ones.
Personally, I feel Rhyl look more solid defensively with Chris Roberts at left-back and Paul O'Neill has proved many times he can be effective in the right-back role.
Their inclusion would perhaps allow Stones and Connolly to fulfill more suited attacking berths, although that would then mean players being dropped to accommodate them.
Again last night, detractors of Josh Johnson were given ammunition for their argument that he's a luxury player.
The Trinidad and Tobago international can be devastating as we all know, but last night up against an ageing Wayne Phillips he really should have been more effective. The jury is still out on whether Johnson should be a starting regular.
Rhyl have proved they are title material on many occasions this season. In their battles with the other members of the "big four" they have been in a different class - hammering Llanelli 5-1, defeating TNS 3-0 and Bangor City 2-0.
But it's no good just raising your game for the bigger sides. It's a much overused cliche but there really are no easy games in this league. The teams near the bottom like Druids will scrap to survive, give them an inch and they'll take the proverbial mile.
Rhyl are still in a good position but they cannot afford too many more slip ups like last night.
The players undoubtedly have the ability, it's up to them to display it consistently.