January 2009 Archives

PRESTATYN Town will fly the flag for Denbighshire in the last eight of the Welsh Cup.
This afternoon the Seasiders reached the quarter-finals for the first time in their history when they came back from 3-1 down to defeat Goytre United of the Welsh League 5-3 in extra time.
Ex-Rhyl player Michael Parker hit a hat-trick for Neil Gibson's side, including two in extra time, and another former Lilywhite, Dan Evans, was also on the scoresheet.
In the quarter-finals, Prestatyn face a tough trip to Aberystwyth Town. Good luck to our neighbours just along the coast.
It has been a shock weekend in the Welsh Cup with the top three in the Welsh Premier, Rhyl, Llanelli and TNS all going out.
Llanelli lost 2-1 at Port Talbot last night and the Saints were beaten 3-2 at home this afternoon by Carmarthen Town.
Other round four results: Holyhead Hotspur 1 Newport YMCA 1 (YMCA won on pens), Bridgend Town 4 Lex XI 0, Airbus UK 2 NEWI Cefn Druids 1, AFC Llwydcoed 0 Aberystwyth Town 3.
QUARTER-FINAL DRAW
Aberystwyth Town v Prestatyn Town
Airbus UK v Bangor City
Bridgend Town v Newport YMCA
Carmarthen Town v Port Talbot Town

BANGOR CITY 1 (Sharp 67)
RHYL 1 (Strong 88)
WELSH CUP ROUND FOUR
(after extra time - Bangor win 4-2 on penalties)
FEW could deny Bangor were worthy winners of an epic Welsh Cup tie at Farrar Road.
Reduced to 10 men after just 16 minutes following skipper Marc Limbert's sending off, Neville Powell's team simply refused to give in and their superior penalty taking ability ultimately ensured they marched into the quarter-finals.
Rhyl had enough chances to win three ties, but a mixture of poor finishing and heroic City defending meant the Lilywhites lost their second cup game at Ffordd Farrar this season.
The kick-off was delayed for 15 minutes because of crowd congestion at the turnstiles, but the first half proved a non-event with neither keeper tested.
The only incident of note was the 16th minute straight red card for Limbert following an altercation with Chris Roberts. Rhyl also picked up four yellows during the half.
Bangor's biggest danger in the opening 45 was the outstanding Chris Sharp, his header from a Christian Seargeant corner flying straight at keeper Michael Jones while the ex-Rhyl forward also had a goalbound shot blocked.
The visitors' closest effort was a Greg Stones drive which hit the side netting.
The second stanza was a lot more incident-packed, Rhyl's Craig Jones forcing the first testing save for either side from Paul Smith with a header from a Luke Holden cross on 47 minutes.
Rhyl had free-kicks from two great positions but made a complete hash of both, but the Lilies were getting the upper hand.
Mark Connolly's shot came back off Smith but no-one was able to finish, then Bangor survived a desperate goalmouth scramble from a Stones cross.
It was against the run of play when City notched a 67th minute lead.
Sharp showed tremendous determination to break down the right into the box and from an acute angle drilled in his 22nd goal of the season, Jones getting a hand to his effort but unable to stop it finding the net.
Rhyl now piled on the pressure and the Bangor defence challenged their opponents to break them down.
Some woeful shooting from the visitors made City's lives easier, but Smith made a great reaction stop to hold a Neil Roberts effort.
The hosts were holding on until in the 88th minute a Holden corner was hooked across goal by Neil Roberts and defender Greg Strong headed home at the back post.
City escaped from another frantic goalmouth melee before referee Mark Whitby blew for the end of the 90 minutes.
Extra-time
Down to 10 men, seemingly tiring and having been on the backfoot for over 20 minutes surely Bangor were doomed? Not a bit of it, Powell's warriors raised their game once more.
In the first period, Seargeant fired just wide from a free-kick and Michael Walsh headed narrowly over, while at the other end hero Smith produced two great stops from substitute Jamie Reed and Holden, and Martin Beattie nearly found his own net.
The second 15 minutes saw for the Lilies, Strong head over from a free-kick, Connolly's left footer hit the bottom of the upright and Holden struck the post when he should have done much better after Neil Roberts' miskick.
In the final act, George Horan met a cross six-yards out with his head - a goal surely? No, Smith saved again.
Substitute Kevin Lloyd's header dipped just over for the all-blues and the lively Sion Edwards went close.
No winner had emerged so it was down to penalties.
PENALTY SHOOT OUT
Rhyl: Neil Roberts hit bar 0-0
Bangor: Chris Seargeant made no mistake - 1-0 City
Rhyl: Matthew Williams scores 1-1
Bangor: Peter Hoy sends keeper wrong way - 2-1 City
Rhyl: Jamie Reed converts excellent penalty - 2-2
Bangor: Sion Edwards' trusty left foot does the business - 3-2 City
Rhyl: Luke Holden is psyched out by Paul Smith. Pen saved - 3-2 City
Bangor: Immaculate Stuart Cook kick sends hosts through - 4-2 City
Bangor were through, their fans celebrated wildly and no-one could deny the team this moment of glory. Rhyl just didn't do enough.
TEAMS:
Bangor: Smith, Swanick, Beattie, Johnson, Hoy, Seargeant, Limbert, Walsh, Davies (Edwards 92), Sharp (Lloyd 80), Killackey (Cook 115).
Rhyl: M Jones, Stones (Reed 80), C Roberts, Horan, Strong, Connolly, G Owen (O'Neill 92), Holden, N Roberts, M Williams, C Jones (Johnson 70).

MATCH FACTS (120 minutes stats):
GOALS - Bangor 1 Rhyl 1
ATTEMPTS - Bangor 9 Rhyl 22
ON TARGET - Bangor 2 Rhyl 10
CORNERS - Bangor 8 Rhyl 9
YELLOW CARDS - Bangor 2 Rhyl 4
RED CARDS - Bangor 1 Rhyl 0
ATTENDANCE - N/a

BANGOR CITY v RHYL
WELSH CUP ROUND FOUR
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 12.15pm
THIS Saturday brings the 27th Welsh Cup meeting between long-standing North Wales coast rivals Bangor City and Rhyl.
The most recent clash came in the 2006 final at the Racecourse, Wrexham, when the Lilywhites won 2-0 thanks to goals from Andy Moran (penalty) and Gareth Wilson.
The previous meeting was in 2001/02 at Belle Vue when two Simon Davies goals in a 2-1 victory put Bangor into round three.
In overall Welsh Cup tussles going back to 1884/85, Bangor lead by 14 wins to nine with four drawn matches.
BANGOR CITY v RHYL - WELSH CUP HISTORY
1884/85
R1 - Rhyl 1 Bangor 1 (replay: Rhyl 0 Bangor 0; 2nd replay - Rhyl 1 Bangor 2).
1885/86
R1 - Rhyl 1 Bangor 4.
1889/90
R1 - Rhyl 4 Bangor 6.
1897/98
R2 - Rhyl 4 Bangor 1
1898/99
R3 - Bangor 1 Rhyl 1 (Rhyl disqualified - ineligible player).
1903/04
R3 - Bangor 6 Rhyl 1.
1904/05
Quarter-finals - Rhyl 1 Bangor 0
1908/09
R2 - Rhyl 2 Bangor 1
1919/20
R2 - Bangor 3 Rhyl 0.
1921/22
Third prelim round - Bangor 3 Rhyl 1.
1923/24
R4 - Rhyl 1 Bangor 2.
1925/26
R5 - Rhyl 4 Bangor 1
1928/29
Quarter-finals - Bangor 0 Rhyl 0 (replay - Rhyl won 4-1)
1948/49
R5 - Bangor 0 Rhyl 2
1955/56
R4 - Rhyl 5 Bangor 2
1956/57
R4 - Bangor 0 Rhyl 3 (protest - Rhyl dismissed).
1957/58
R5 - Rhyl 2 Bangor 0
1963/64
Quarter-finals - Bangor 8 Rhyl 1.
1972/73
R4 - Rhyl 2 Bangor 2 (replay - Bangor 2 Rhyl 0).
1976/77
R3 - Rhyl 0 Bangor 1.
1986/87
R5 - Bangor 2 Rhyl 1
2001/02
R2 - Rhyl 1 Bangor 2.
2005/06
Final - Rhyl 2 Bangor 0.

PLAYED: 27
WINS: BANGOR 14 RHYL 9
DRAWN: 4
(wins include where team went through after opponents were expelled)

GOALKEEPER Michael Jones' loan deal with Rhyl has been extended till the end of the season.
The ex-Wrexham shot-stopper's transfer from Northwich Victoria to the Lilywhites was completed this afternoon.
Jones, who made nine first team appearances for Wrexham over four seasons before being released last year, was initially signed as cover after Rhyl's regular keeper Lee Kendall received a three-match suspension.
But now with Kendall getting a longer 10-game ban, the Lilies have acted by securing Jones until the end of July.
Jones, nicknamed Carrots, has played two matches for Rhyl so far, conceding just one goal and impressing in both performances.

MIDFIELDER Mark Connolly's proposed loan move to Colwyn Bay is off.
Connolly remains a contracted player with the Lilywhites.
The 24-year-old came to Rhyl from Bangor City in 2005 and has been one of the Lilywhites' most consistent players since.
Great from dead ball situations, he was the star of Rhyl's summer UEFA Cup ties against Bohemian, scoring two goals in the home leg and his cross also led to Ken Oman's own goal in Dublin.
This season, due to the considerable strengthening of the Lilywhites' squad, Conno has not always been guaranteed a first team place but he remains a vital member of the side with his right-sided attacking qualities.

RHYL goalkeeper Lee Kendall has been banned by the Welsh FA for 10 consecutive games.
The suspension comes into effect immediately, starting with this Saturday's Welsh Cup tie at Bangor.
The ban arose from charges relating to incidents involving the controversial keeper at the Welsh Premier League match between Rhyl and Aberystwyth on September 27, 2008.
Rhyl FC are making no further comment at this time.
Kendall has only just completed a three-match suspension after being found guilty of crowd incitement at the Bangor City v Rhyl WPL fixture at Farrar Road on November 11.
A Wales Under-21 and semi-professional international, Kendall is in his second season at Belle Vue where he is contracted until 2012.
He played at Crystal Palace, Cardiff City, Barry Town and Shrewsbury Town from where he joined Haverfordwest County in 2003, then signed for Rhyl in summer 2007.
Due to Kendall's long absence, Rhyl have brought in ex-Wrexham keeper Michael Jones on loan and also have reserves custodian Paul Pritchard available as cover.

WITH Saturday's crunch Welsh Cup round four clash at Bangor City just three days away, Rhyl's senior coach Allan Bickerstaff is calling on both sets of supporters to ensure only the on the field action makes the headlines.
Security will be tight at Farrar Road as the host club bids to avoid the unsavoury scenes which occured in the Welsh Premier League tussle involving the long-standing foes last November.
Fighting broke out in the first half between large groups of rival fans and the aftermath saw Bangor fined £2,000 last week for failing to control their supporters.
"To me, the bad feeling between the two sets of fans is a petty situation," said Bickerstaff.
"I hope our supporters go to Bangor to enjoy themselves; the majority of our fans are decent people but occasionally a small minority lets the club down.
"I'd appeal to both sets of supporters to enjoy the occasion as it promises to be a great cup tie and I'm sure Neville (Powell, Bangor manager) would say the same."
Bickerstaff has had mixed fortunes at Farrar Road this term, losing there 3-1 in the League Cup but winning 2-0 in the WPL.
"We want to win the cup and we're really up for it, but Bangor are doing ever so well and we expect a very hard test."
Goalkeeper Lee Kendall will be available again after serving a three-match ban, but new signing Luke Sherbon is cup-tied. Bangor's ex-Rhyl defender James Brewerton is set to miss out after being red carded at Aberystwyth on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Rhyl retained top spot in the WPL at the weekend with a 3-1 win at Haverfordwest, a result Bickerstaff felt his team deserved.
"Overall we deserved the three points," added Bickerstaff. "It was tough, but we'll come across a lot of these games now where we have to grind results out."

MIDFIELDER James Hay has left Rhyl Reserves and rejoined Abergele Rovers, manager Jon Stazicker has revealed.
Hay had shown impressive form for the Lilywhites in the Welsh Alliance this term but decided to drop a grade to the Clwyd Premier.
"It's a big loss to me and the team as I really rate James and think he could go on to play at a higher level," said Stazicker.
However, on the positive side, Stazicker's new arrivals Jack Higgins and Ian Bennett were involved in the squad for Saturday's win over Mochdre Sports and another striker is expected to sign this week.
Key defender Adam France also completed the final game of his suspension at the weekend.

RHYL RESERVES 3 (Roose 2, 1 pen; Millington)
MOCHDRE SPORTS 1
BARRITT CUP ROUND TWO
PLAYING their first match in five weeks, Rhyl Reserves booked a home quarter-final against Abergele Rovers after seeing off Mochdre at Belle Vue.
Two goals from the prolific Mike Roose, which put him on 18 for the season, helped Jon Stazicker's side on their way in this Barritt Cup tie.
Tom Roberts' header from a Jack Roberts free-kick rattled the bar before the Lilywhites went ahead when Roose scored with a splendid overhead kick from close range after Jack Roberts' shot from the edge of the box deflected up in the air.
Keiron Evans drilled just wide and Roose could have made it two prior to the break when Jack Roberts put him through on goal with only keeper Carlos Martins to beat but the striker blasted over.
Mochdre rallied after the break and home keeper Jamie Jones had to burst off his line to save well at the feet of Rob Knowles.
Rhyl hit back convincingly when Jack Higgins was pushed over in the box and Roose converted the resulting penalty into the bottom right hand corner.
Sports went close again when Joey Jennings' 20-yard cracker was bound for the top corner but Jones pulled off a fantastic tip over.
A welcome sight for Rhyl was the return of skipper Scott Millington as a substitute following a lengthy injury and after just five minutes on the park, "Tiny" whipped in a 30-yard effort that rocketed into the net.
Mochdre did manage a consolation, but Jack Roberts went close to a home fourth from an 18-yard free-kick, then late on Martins denied Higgins when a goal looked certain.
"After having no game for over a month I was happy with the team's performance today," said Rhyl boss Stazicker. "It wasn't the prettiest of games and to be fair Mochdre battled well, but overall I'm very happy with the win and to be in the next round."
Rhyl Reserves: Jamie Jones, Ben Bucknall, Tom Roberts, Joe Ahern, Sean Morgan, Tom Patel, Jack Roberts, Sam Heenan, Keiron Evans, Sam Brewerton, Mike Roose. Substitutes: Jack Higgins, Ian Bennett, Daz Ross, Scott Millington.

RHYL RESERVES RESULTS 2008/09
Aug 16, 2008 - Barmouth and Dyffryn (a-lge) 2-2 (Evans, Ahern)
Aug 20, 2008 - Glan Conwy (a-lge) 0-1
Aug 23, 2008 - Nefyn United (h-lge) 3-0 (Patel 2, Roose)
Aug 26, 2008 - Halkyn United (a-lge) 4-1 (Brewerton, Millington, Roose 2)
Aug 30, 2008 - Nefyn United (a-lge) 1-1 (Hay)
Sep 5, 2008 - Halkyn United (h-lge) 3-0 (Hughes, Roose 2)
Sep 9, 2008 - Llanrug United (h-lge) 4-2 (Hay 2, Roose, Griffiths)
Sep 13, 2008 - Rhydymwyn (a-lge) 2-1 (Heenan, Hughes)
Sep 16, 2008 - Nantlle Vale (h-lge) 5-2 (J Roberts 2, Roose, Millington, Hughes)
Sep 20, 2008 - Amlwch Town (h-lge) 8-0 (Hay, C Roberts, Millington, Williams, J Roberts, Roose 2, Griffiths)
Oct 14, 2008 - Llandudno Junction (h-lge) 7-3 (M Williams 3, Strong, Ahern, N Roberts, Roose)
Oct 18, 2008 - Conwy United (a-lge) 4-1 (M Williams 4)
Oct 21, 2008 - Llanllyfni (h-lge) 2-1 (Ahern, Brewerton)
Oct 25, 2008 - Rhydymwyn (a-Cookson Cup) 1-2 (Roose)
Nov 1, 2008 - Llanberis (a-lge) 0-1
Nov 4, 2008 - Glan Conwy (h-lge) 1-0 (Patel)
Nov 15, 2008 - Llanrug United (a-lge) 3-4 (Owen, Roose 2)
Nov 22, 2008 - Sychdyn (h-Barritt Cup) 1-0 (Tom Roberts)
Nov 29, 2008 - Pwllheli (a-lge) 1-3 (Evans)
Dec 6, 2008 - Llanrwst United (h-lge) 0-3
Dec 20, 2008 - Barmouth & Dyffryn (h-lge) 3-1 (Roose 3)
Jan 24, 2009 - Mochdre Sports (h-BC R2) 3-1 (Roose 2, 1 pen, Millington)
GOALS (58): 18 - Mike Roose; 8 - Matthew Williams; 4 - Scott Millington, James Hay; 3 - Tom Patel, Gareth Hughes, Jack Roberts, Joe Ahern; 2 - Craig Griffiths, Keiron Evans; 1 - Chris Roberts, Sam Brewerton, Sam Heenan, Neil Roberts, Greg Strong, Sam Brewerton, Carl Owen, Tom Roberts.

RESULTS AND FIXTURES
Aug 16, 2008 - Newtown (h-lge) 3-0
Aug 23, 2008 - Caernarfon Town (a-lge) 1-0
Aug 30, 2008 - Llanelli (h-lge) 5-1
Sep 05, 2008 - Porthmadog (a-lge) 3-0
Sep 13, 2008 - Haverfordwest County (h-lge) 2-0
Sep 21, 2008 - Neath Athletic (a-lge) 2-2
Sep 27, 2008 - Aberystwyth Town (h-lge) 0-0
Oct 10, 2008 - Connah's Quay Nomads (h-lge) 2-0
Oct 18, 2008 - Carmarthen Town (h-lge) 3-0
Nov 8, 2008 - Caersws (h-lge) 3-1
Nov 11, 2008 - Bangor City (a-lge) 2-0
Nov 15, 2008 - Port Talbot Town (h-lge) 2-3
Nov 21, 2008 - Airbus UK Broughton (a-lge) 3-1
Nov 29, 2008 - Technogroup Welshpool (h-lge) 7-1
Dec 6, 2008 - The New Saints (a-lge) 3-0
Dec 12, 2008 - NEWI Cefn Druids (h-lge) 3-4
Dec 20, 2008 - Newtown (a-lge) 2-1
Dec 27, 2008 - Prestatyn Town (h-lge) 7-2
Jan 17, 2009 - Porthmadog (h-lge) 2-0
Jan 24, 2009 - Haverfordwest County (a-lge) 3-1
PLAYED: 20
WON: 16
DRAWN: 2
LOST: 2
GOALS FOR: 58
GOALS AGAINST: 17
GOAL DIFFERENCE: +41

Home:
Played 12 Won 9 Drawn 1 Lost 2 Goals For 39 Goals Against 12 Points 28
Away:
Played 8 Won 7 Drawn 1 Lost 0 Goals For 19 Goals Against 5 Points 22

Remaining fixtures
Feb 4: Caernarfon Town (h)
Feb 7: Neath Athletic (h)
Feb 15: Aberystwyth Town (a)
Feb 20: Gap Connah's Quay (a)
Mar 7: Carmarthen Town (a)
Mar 13: Bangor City (h)
Mar 21: Caersws (a)
Mar 28: Port Talbot Town (a)
Apr 4: Airbus UK Broughton (h)
Apr 11: Technogroup Welshpool (a)
Apr 13: Prestatyn Town (a)
Apr 18: The New Saints (h)
Apr 25: NEWI Cefn Druids (a)
TBA: Llanelli (a)