PORT TO FACE A STORM?

By Dave Jones on Jan 17, 09 12:34 AM

RHYL v PORTHMADOG
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 2.30pm
THE second highest goal-getters in the Welsh Premier League against the team with the worst defence - a potential mismatch?
Maybe, but Rhyl will certainly not be taking Porthmadog lightly when Paul Whelan's side visit Belle Vue this Saturday.
Although the Lilywhites top the WPL they have twice been embarrassed at home this season in games they should have won.
Port Talbot ran out shock 3-2 winners at BV in November and just before Christmas lowly NEWI Cefn Druids claimed an even more surprising 4-3 triumph at the home of the table-headers.
With Porthmadog certainly carrying as much as, if not more, goal threat than those two unexpected conquerors, the Traeth men certainly have a live chance on Saturday.
In Marc Lloyd Williams the Eifionydd outfit possess a prolific striker who will no doubt be wanting to make Rhyl pay for letting him go in the summer.
Since returning to the Traeth, "Jiws" has netted a fantastic 16 goals this term and his all-time record WPL tally now stands at 291.
However, for all their improvement this season, Porthmadog's defence has been their Achilles heel. They will need to be on top form to quell a Rhyl attack which has scored seven in two of their last three home matches.
Port lie a more than respectable 12th in the table and have 10 points more than they did at the same stage last season. However, they have lost on their last five league visits to Belle Vue.
There will be much interest in the team Allan Bickerstaff puts out tomorrow.
Will there be debuts for new signings Luke Sherbon, Luke Holden and Michael Jones? If so, who will give way?
After three weeks of frustration due to the weather the Rhyl supporters will be looking forward to seeing their first action of 2009.

WELSH PREMIER HEAD-TO-HEAD
2008/09 - Porthmadog 0 Rhyl 3
2007/08 - Rhyl 1 Porthmadog 0; Porthmadog 1 Rhyl 0
2006/07 - Rhyl 2 Porthmadog 1; Porthmadog 1 Rhyl 2
2005/06 - Porthmadog 2 Rhyl 1; Rhyl 3 Porthmadog 0
2004/05 - Rhyl 3 Porthmadog 1; Porthmadog 0 Rhyl 3
2003/04 - Rhyl 6 Porthmadog 1; Porthmadog 0 Rhyl 2.
1997/98 - Porthmadog 0 Rhyl 2; Rhyl 1 Porthmadog 1.
1996/97 - Porthmadog 6 Rhyl 0; Rhyl 0 Porthmadog 1.
1995/96 - Porthmadog 0 Rhyl 0; Rhyl 0 Porthmadog 1.
1994/95 - Porthmadog 2 Rhyl 2; Rhyl 3 Porthmadog 4.
PLAYED: 19
WINS: Rhyl 10 Porthmadog 6; DRAWS: 3
GOALS: Rhyl 34 Porthmadog 22.